Category Archives: Harvey Duckman

New Book, Conventions, and an update

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Mark Hayes

Occasionally, just occasionally, everything all comes at once. Which is why I have an ear infection, am currently deaf on my left side, feel like curling up in a dark room under a blanket, just as I have the busiest … Continue reading →

Posted in fantasy, Harvey Duckman, indie, indie writers, steampunk | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Justice for Pluto

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Mark Hayes

There are in fact seven dwarf planets (though three are listed as ‘possible dwarf planets’) among the many other Trans-Neptunian Objects that have been identified. Two of them even have moons. The main reason Pluto is recognized as a planet is because it was discovered first. Eris, Haumea, Makemake, Quaoar, Orcus, Sedna, and Gonggong all could lay equal claim to planethood.

The most plausible reason why the other TNO Dwarf-planets are not recognized as planets is I suspect because learning all nine planets in order is already too much for some people before you add another seven dwarf’s. Given Disney’s recent issues with that number of dwarfs this may prove wise… Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, amwriting, books, Harvey Duckman, indie novels, indie writers, indiewriter, reads, sci-fi, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Post-Newtonian Magic

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Mark Hayes

When writing fantasy, be it high, low, grim dark, romantic, steampunk, urban or whatever, a writer can’t just throw words at a page and see what sticks. Well, that is not entirely true, that is in fact quite often the … Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, amreading, amwriting, books, fantasy, Harvey Duckman, indie, indie novels, indie writers, indiefriday, indiewriter, reads, steampunk, supernatural, urban fantasy, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Esoteric Cricket Ball…

Posted on February 10, 2025 by Mark Hayes

Well its finally here, 3 years after the original short story, The esoteric Cricket Ball is pitching down the leg side… The novel started out as half page of dialogue between two unknown participants written about ten years ago. It … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Harvey Duckman, indie novels, indie writers, indiewriter, men in dark tweed, reads, sci-fi, steampunk, supernatural, urban fantasy, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s in a name

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Mark Hayes

I do like a good title. For example ‘The Long Dark Tea Time of the soul’ is one of the finest titles ever devised, despite the fact its is my least favorite Douglas Adams book. Admittedly that is like saying a particular orgasm was your least favorite orgasm. Its still a fucking orgasm, ‘The Long Dark Tea Time of the soul’ is still a fabulous Douglas Adams novel. Its just not quite as brilliant as ‘The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’… Continue reading →

Posted in amediting, amwriting, books, fantasy, Hannibal Smyth, Harvey Duckman, indie novels, indie writers, indiewriter, novels, reads, self-publishing, steampunk, supernatural, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lucifer Mandrake ~ Not a cover reveal…

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Mark Hayes

*my entire contribution to the Finch Ministries were the words ‘octopus catapult’ , I am ridiculously proud of this fact… Continue reading →

Posted in amwriting, books, Harvey Duckman, indie, indie novels, indie writers, reads, self-publishing, steampunk, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yer, so about the tower…

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Mark Hayes

The Tower is one of those stories… A story that people tend to remember and ask about. It has a perfect ending in my opinion. Which is to say the ending is open to the readers imagination. This tends to generate the same question from almost every reader “What is the tower?” Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, amwriting, books, fantasy, fiction, Harvey Duckman, indie writers, reads, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

After the end…

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Mark Hayes

One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime. Families living with the condition are often left feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and alone. With your support, together we can provide vital specialist dementia nursing services, so more families can access our life-changing support and live as well as possible, for as long as possible. Please donate today and help ensure no one faces dementia alone. Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, big questions, books, dystopia, fantasy, Harvey Duckman, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Gentleman

Posted on September 24, 2024 by Mark Hayes

“It seems to me, that the use of lockpicks should fall under the remit of a gentleman’s valet, rather than the gentleman himself.” Benjamin West grumbled just after he snapped his second pick in quick succession.  Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, amwriting, books, fantasy, Harvey Duckman, indie novels, indiewriter, steampunk, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The End of the world is not the Ragnarök

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Mark Hayes

My axe is cold, frost crisscross’s the handle and the fingers that hold it, but the blade is sharp still and blood still flows in he that would wield it.
The Ragnarök is over, we are what remain Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, books, fiction, Harvey Duckman, indie, indie writers, pagan, reads, supernatural, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment