Category Archives: indie novels

A semblance of Truth

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Mark Hayes

I am a bit of a fan boy when it comes to the work of Nimue and the esoteric creation Hopeless Maine (and Nimue’s writing in general). So when I was given the chance to read a early copy of Semblance of Truth I jumped at the chance. Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, books, indie novels, indie writers, sci-fi, steampunk | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 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

Supporting your local itinerant author

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Mark Hayes

I throw words into the wind and what them swirl around me and hope to catch them again, I am a writer, writing is what I do, occasionally quite well, it defines me in many ways and I believe through my writing I add to the zeitgeist of humanity in positive ways.

But I don’t always believe any of that to be true… Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, amwriting, indie novels, indie writers, indiewriter, reads, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Music and words

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Passing Place remains the book of which I am most proud. I love all my novels but this one is the one with the most blood in the ink, the most slivers of my soul between its pages. Its a tale of loss and love, of hope and grief , and of choices, the choice we all have….

Also, there really is a forest in the cellar. As well as a Dryad waiting tables when she is not in the back garden with her tree. A gunslinger with a tale of the mythology in the old west. An Inuit whose spear is dropping blood on the bar and speak of tears like diamonds. The wisest doorman in all the universe who will teach you many things, including how to drink brandy the right way. A girl in the corridor with eyes in her hands. A literal devil called Lyal. A grey man form a grey world marveling at the colour in the swirl of his mop water. A chef who understand how to may causality sandwiches. Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, amwriting, books, fantasy, fiction, indie novels, indie writers, novels, Passing Place, reads, sci-fi | 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 Return of a Semblance of Hope

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Time has past… Strange epochs are upon us, the stars are finally right and the thing that was prophesied will now come to pass… Also there make be coco! Continue reading →

Posted in amwriting, books, fantasy, fiction, indie novels, pointless things of wonderfulness, sci-fi, steampunk, supernatural | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Here Today, Scone Tomorrow

Posted on July 29, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Folk law is full of places that don’t entirely exist. Places that slide off the map, and give cartographers a headache. Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, books, goodreads, indie novels, indie writers, urban fantasy | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beguiling darkness: Tethered

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Mark Hayes

In the distant past before the lost years and the breaking of the world, in a younger less cynical time, I was sent a manuscript to read. This was about four years ( three atrocious prime ministers and one pandemic) … Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, fantasy, indie novels, indie writers, steampunk | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Books of the year 2023 Edition

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Mark Hayes

As with last year this may be slightly early, as there is a fair chance I’ll read a couple more before the end of the year. (in fact I know I will as there are a couple I am reading … Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, books, indie novels | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment