The Warsaw Trip

So, I’m going to be in Warsaw this weekend as a guest of the Polish edition of F&SF magazine (who have also just told me they would like to translate my story, The Euonymist, for their forthcoming issue!). For a variety of reasons I’m looking forward to this trip with unreasonable levels of excitement. I’ve never […]

Help me out here: Steampunk leaves me cold

So, I have this admission to make. I don’t get Steampunk. I have nothing particularly against it, and I don’t believe I’ve gone out of my way to avoid it. It’s simply that the aesthetic, the approach to science and story, do nothing to attract me. And yet, it seems to be very popular. Certainly […]

A Little Less Busy…

…which is good. I do enjoy all the music and the performing and all that, but it can get a bit full on. April should be quieter and more focused on the genteel pursuits of writing. I’m putting what will hopefully be the finishing touches to the forthcoming Infinity Plus Kindle edition of The Ephemera, […]

Fun stuff that I read in February

Continuing my monthly reading round-up that a/passes on some recommendations of neat stuff and b/ proves that I’m keeping the resolution going. “The Gutenberg Boys” by Ian Boyter (The Vanity Press). More of a rolling anecdotal memoir than a novel, but I was pretty taken with the evocation of time/place, language and technology in this […]

BSFA nominees on Starship Sofa

Got a real kick this morning listening to three of the four shortlisted stories for this year’s BSFA award for short fiction on the always exciting Starship Sofa podcast. Thought all three readings were well done and showcased the stories well, and urge anyone who is eligible to vote for the BSFA awards to get […]

Busy, busy, busy

So, I’ve been doing a lot of stuff lately, and I’m going to be doing a lot more stuff over the next wee while. If anyone’s in the area for any of these and fancies a night of pretty varied entertainment, please, please, please drop in and say hi. Feb 23rd, 8pm (TONIGHT!) : The […]

The (New) Ephemera

I’m very excited this week to be able to able to announce that Infinity Plus’s new ebooks venture, which to date has featured a hugely strong roster of writers and has even more lined up, is going to republish my collection, The Ephemera. I’ve always been extremely proud of the marvelous job that Elastic Press […]

NAF : ZOEY VAN GOEY / Propeller Versus Wings

I listened to your record and it made want to jump out of a window, but in a good way. So begins, Sackville Sun, the third track on Propeller Versus Wings, and that is as succinct a summation of the impact of Zoey Van Goey’s anticipated second album as I can imagine. The winsomely colourful […]

Etiquette Of Silence

A Plea Against Arseholeish Behaviour At Gigs Firstly, a confession: Many years ago, I was at a gig at the old Wembley with my brother. I’d not seen him in months and there was loads we needed to say. The gig was a big-name, double header. The stage was several miles distant and the “big […]

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Some time in early 1984 I did something that changed my life. I went to a gig at the Glasgow Apollo. Everyone has a first gig story, and I imagine there are thousands similar to me whose own recollections involve the faded glitz of that venerable venue – the red and the glittery gold interior, […]