Category Archives: books

Chapter titles

Posted on May 14, 2021 by Mark Hayes

I have a thing about chapter titles. I’m always a little disappointed when an author doesn’t use them, though just numbering chapters is very much the norm these days. The naming of chapters harks back to the days when many … Continue reading →

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The price of Defying Winter

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Mark Hayes

LC grew up in a war zone. A dirty little war, on a dirty little planet in the between. He was a refugee street kid, or would have been if there was anywhere to flee to. In stead he was … Continue reading →

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Talking About Inspiration

Posted on April 25, 2021 by Mark Hayes

Where do you find your inspiration? Its a question every writer gets asked, that I get asked, so often its something of a cliché. Its a shade away from that other question, ‘where do you get your ideas from?‘ that … Continue reading →

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The Elf King’s Thingy part 9

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Mark Hayes

The Elf King’s Thingy Part IX Speckpocket the Genealogist of the kings court was not having a good day. It hadn’t started well, As the King, it appeared, had decided to dissipate half his court in a rage. Well, he … Continue reading →

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The Elf King’s Thingy Part 8

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Mark Hayes

The Elf King’s Thingy Part VIII ‘There are probably worse fates in the world than double geography’… Anna mused to herself while failing to pay any attention to the lines of strata been drawn on the white board by Mr … Continue reading →

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The Elf King’s Thingy part 7

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Mark Hayes

The Elf King’s Thingy Part VII The atmosphere of The Great Vault was one of brooding gloom, despite the glow worm lamps doing their best to shed light around its grim interior. ‘Candles would be better.’ Mr. Spleen thought to … Continue reading →

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The Elf King’s Thingy part 6

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Mark Hayes

The Elf King’s Thingy Part VI The sun was shining on a late October morning. The sky was the kind of blue that spoke of a hot summers day or a cold winters night to come, as ever autumn was … Continue reading →

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The Elf King’s Thingy part 4

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Mark Hayes

The Elf King’s Thingy Part IV Back where we started deManfess was listening to one side of the conversation being held over the ancient Bakelite phone… “What?” “I see, and you wish us to investigate, this… occurrence?” “Yes…” “A what? … Continue reading →

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Brief reviews of wonderfulness #1

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Mark Hayes

I have been known on occasion to promise to write a review for fellow authors. I have some fair firm rules on these promises, in that I don’t write a review unless I genuinely like what I’m reviewing. If I … Continue reading →

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The Elf king’s Thingy part 3

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Mark Hayes

The Elf King’s Thingy part III Elsewhere… about now The room was ordinary teenage girls bedroom. The dresser was sprue with cheap but trendy bit of makeup. The floor was a depository of used clothing and textbooks, which it turn … Continue reading →