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Alston Moor: Cover RevealJanuary 15, 2026 - 9:02 am
My best reads of 2025December 30, 2025 - 3:30 pm
Goldsmiths Press to publish my latest novel Alston MoorSeptember 24, 2025 - 8:19 am
My best reads of 2024December 29, 2024 - 3:04 pm
Essay out now:
The Philip K Dick Award, His Legacy and His Surrealism
/in 47North, Publishing, Science Fiction, Writing FictionSo here we have, from the left, Ann Leckie’s representative Ellen Brady Wright (Orbit), err…me, Cassandra Rose Clarke, Ben H Winters, Toh EnJoe (special citation), and EnJoe’s translator, Terry Gallagher.
What a thrill to be in this line-up. The lovely Ben H Winters won the Philip K Dick Award 2013 for Countdown City, sequel to The Last Policeman. Ben is a smart and witty writer so make a note of his two titles! This photo was taken at Norwescon in Seattle where the award ceremony takes place every year. Here’s a full list of the nominated works.
Award administrator Gordon Van Gelder (left) and T William Sadorus (right) ceremony coordinator.
Each author read an extract before the award was announced and I have to admit I’m getting accustomed to reading in public, and I definitely enjoy the experience. The award is administered by Gordon Van Gelder, award-winning editor of the New York based Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
I was delighted to join Gordon on a panel discussion on Philip K Dick’s literary legacy, together with Toh EnJoe, Nick Mamatas (EnJoe’s editor), Jack Skillingstead and Cassandra Rose Clarke. We each talked about our connections with Philip K Dick’s writing. For me, Read more
Update: Norwescon, video trailer, Philip K Dick Award…
/in Publishing, Science Fiction, Writing FictionIt’s been a hectic and fun time since I last posted so here’s a quick round-up. First, here’s a fabulous video trailer for A Calculated Life. Many thanks to Ian Koviak at theBookDesigners for producing this animated graphic. Video trailers are becoming more common for novels and it’s easy to see why when you watch this great animation.
If you happen to be attending the SF convention Norwescon in Seattle, I hope you’ll catch one or more events I’m involved with including a panel discussion on near-future political science fiction. In addition, I’ll be joining writers talking about the publishing industry and how to find a readership for your fiction. Read more
J Lincoln Fenn: 6 Worst Ways to Get Your Novel Published
/in Guest Posts, Publishing, Writing FictionJ Lincoln Fenn
J Lincoln Fenn won the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in 2013 for her horror novel POE. I’m extremely chuffed to host Fenn today! With her wealth of experience she offers top tips to writers who are battling to land their first book deal. I especially like No.6. Read on!
Not many writers are happy, Emily Dickenson-like, to write copiously without anyone ever reading a word. And with the occasional writer breaking through to near rock star status, writing the right book could be like winning the lottery. So how do you achieve that kind of literary success?
I have no idea.
What I do know, from years of knocking my head uselessly against brick walls trying to get published, is what not to do. Here’re some pointers. Read more
Spain: A New Playground for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror
/in EBOOK PUBLISHING, Publishing, Science Fiction, Self-Publishing, Writing FictionIf Spain were the title of a recent fantasy movie, it would be “The desolation of Smaug”. The country has been in such economical stress over the last few years – rampaging unemployment, numerous banking and political scandals, and popular discontent over the Government decisions – that it looks as if it has been ravaged by powerful predators. No more Spanish miracle due to the booming of the construction market.
Spaniards are having a hard time getting back on their feet, and the cultural landscape has been greatly affected by high taxes (21% in cultural related products like e-books, movies, etc.) and cuts in public funding. Although the Conservative party in power has recently announced it is planning to lower taxes, people remain highly skeptical.
Fewer books but more science fiction titles Read more
The Kitschies Awards Announced at Seven Dials Club
/in Science FictionYesterday was a fabulous, memorable day for me because I met with David Pomerico, my editor at 47North, for the first time. David flew over from New York to attend The Kitschies Awards ceremony because my novel was a finalist for The Kitschies Golden Tentacle for Debut Novel. It was a fun evening event, held at the atmospheric Seven Dials Club in Covent Garden. And over a tipple of Kraken Rum (official sponsor for the event) I met many lovely people from the UK world of science fiction, fantasy and speculative fiction. My book didn’t win but I was thrilled to be in the mix! I’d like to thank the organizers Jared Shurin, Anne C Perry and the judges who read 234 entries from over 50 publishers and imprints. Read more
Shortlisted for The Kitschies Golden Tentacle Award (Debut)…!
/in 47North, Science FictionJared Shurin told Allison Flood in The Guardian yesterday: Read more
A Calculated Life is Nominated for Philip K Dick Award
/in 47North, Publishing, Science FictionYesterday afternoon I received the astonishing news that my first novel is one of seven nominated works for the Philip K. Dick Award.
I’m a long time fan of Philip K. Dick’s writing and I’ve enjoyed so many screen adaptations of his work. I’m sure many people have started reading science fiction as a result of seeing, for example, Blade Runner, Minority Report, The Adjustment Bureau, Total Recall.
The winner and any special citations will be announced on Friday 18 April at Norwescon 37 in Seattle. I had already booked to attend! So I’m hoping to meet the other nominees as well as the judges and award administrators. And I’ll be meeting face-to-face for the first time with the 47North team including my editor David Pomerico.
Here is the list of nominees:
Read more
Signed Copies Competition and Free eBooks at LondonCalling
/in 47North, EBOOKS, PromotionI’m starting the New Year with an excellent promotion courtesy of online culture magazine LondonCalling. Register with the LondonCalling website and you will receive a free A Calculated Life eBook at the end of the promotion on 19th January. And you’ll have the chance to win a signed copy of the paperback.
Here’s the Special Offers page on LondonCalling.
Last week, Tom Hunter interviewed me for LondonCalling and asked me some great questions about journalism, art and the creative impulse. I really enjoyed the interview and here it is if you’ve not come across it as yet. Read more
New Year Update and a Bunch of Recommended Reads
/in Book ReviewsHappy New Year! While you’re all chilling on New Year’s Day I thought I’d offer some book recommendations based on my recent reading. What’s surprising is that I’ve not read a single eBook over the past month – only print copies. Here’s a fab selection including three novels from the Man Booker 2013 shortlist and some old favourites. I can recommend them all:
Here’s a pile of books I loved reading in December.
In-Flight Entertainment, short stories by Helen Simpson (several stories touching on issues around climate change);
The Testament of Mary, short story by Colm Toibin (Booker shortlisted. A reading highlight of my year); Read more
Guest Post: Laurel Saville on Her Writing Process
/in Guest Posts, Writing FictionAs part of the Writing Process Blog Tour, which I took part in recently, I’m delighted to host Laurel Saville who talks here today about her own approach to writing. So here goes:
What am I working on?
I am currently writing a novel set in the Adirondack mountains of Upstate NY, near where I used to live and spent plenty of hours hiking. Like Henry and Rachel, it involves the clashes of family, class and culture, but this book is contemporary, not historical. It also explores some of the different ways people have of relating to our natural world, and involves a commune and a kidnapped child.
How does my work differ from others of its genre? Read more