Category Archives: indie writers

And then the ride is over…

Posted on May 28, 2023 by Mark Hayes

Craig Hallam asked me to tell him what I thought of the ending, in that nervous not entirely sure of himself manner of his. The answer to that is simple, I loved it. It is what I expected it would be at the time, masterful. The ending his hero deserved. Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, books, fiction, indie, indie novels, indie writers, indiewriter, novels, reads, steampunk | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Duckman’s Odyssey

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Mark Hayes

I have personally been far more involved with Harvey 13 than any Harvey previously. the bulk of the work is still being done by the ever wonderful Gillie Hatton of 6E publishing, but I am one of a triumvirate of submissions editors curating the collection to an extent… So I have a degree of pride wrapped up in this one and more skin in the game. It is however a great collection of stories. Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, amwriting, books, fantasy, fiction, Hannibal Smyth, Harvey Duckman, horror, indie novels, indie writers, indiewriter, Lovecraft, novels, Passing Place, pointless things of wonderfulness, reads, sci-fi, steampunk, supernatural, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Books of magic and the magic of books

Posted on May 20, 2023 by Mark Hayes

Sometimes such books are written to be just that, a joyous fun read that wiles away the passage through the clouds, or the click clack of rails. Books you can not take your time with because there is a unurgency to them that wants to be read all at once. Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, books, fantasy, indie novels, indie writers, reads, writes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Reading Maybe…

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Mark Hayes

This blog is just to say to anyone who wants to write but is dyslexic, don’t let that stop you. Don’t let anything stop you. Continue reading →

Posted in amediting, amreading, amwriting, dyslexia, Hannibal Smyth, indie novels, indie writers, indiewriter, novels, reads, steampunk, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What is it about Alyssa?

Posted on May 13, 2023 by Mark Hayes

apparently all female main characters in Chic lit Urban Fantasy’s are called Alyssa, its a rule apparently, who knew… Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, books, fiction, indie novels, indie writers, novels, opinion, pagan, reads, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Getting struck by lightning

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Mark Hayes

Seeking Inspiration is like seeking being struck by lightning, occasionally one must encourage the lightning a little. Others have said this better than me… Here then are some quotes on subjects of which I am fond. * may they inspire. … Continue reading →

Posted in humour, indie writers, indiefriday, quotes, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ominous Music and shoddy camera work

Posted on May 7, 2023 by Mark Hayes

six videos I recorded at The Ominous Folk of Hopeless Maine gig on Beltane Eve at the gloriously gothic location of Woodchester Mansion, something of a Victorian Folly, being an unfished mansion house in the middle of a Park near Shroud… Continue reading →

Posted in humour, indie writers, music, pointless things of wonderfulness, rant, steampunk, writing music | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Brave and the Odd guest post by PJ Martin

Posted on April 28, 2023 by Mark Hayes

Folklore and the truth about Kevin the gerbil , but mostly folklore Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, fantasy, fiction, humour, indie novels, indie writers, IndieApril, indiefriday, opinion, reads, rites | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What is Steampunk? A Guest post by Matt McCall

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Mark Hayes

Mat McCall, a bulldozer of joyous exuberance and invested enthusiasm who manages to drag unsuspecting people into a whirlwind of frivolity. I love this man… He has some thoughts on ‘What is Steampunk’ he is something of an expert on the matter, though he would never claim to be. Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, amwriting, books, Hannibal Smyth, indie, indie novels, indie writers, IndieApril, reads, retro book reviews, sci-fi, steampunk, Uncategorized, writes | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Writing Groups, a guest blog by Liz Tuckwell

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Mark Hayes

For Mark’s annual Indie Month, I thought I’d write something about my experience of writing groups. Writing is a solitary pursuit, but writers like to get together to discuss their craft and occasionally have a good moan about writing and publishing.   Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, amreading, amwriting, Harvey Duckman, indie, indie novels, indie writers, IndieApril, indiewriter, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments