Category Archives: Uncategorized

Dear Edgar 34 # Three Sundays in a Week

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Mark Hayes

Occasionally, amid explorations of obsession and madness, horror and satire, existentialism and human frailty… You just need to tell a ridiculous tall tale or two to keep yourself amused. Nothing could be even slightly problematic about that could it… Well… … Continue reading →

Posted in humour, Poe, reads, retro book reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged amreading, books, Dear Edgar, fiction, Poe, poetry, reading, reads, writing | Leave a comment

Dear Edgar – 32 : Never Bet the Devil Your Head

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Mark Hayes

Toby’s mother was sinister handed and used to flog him with her left hand. Apparently, this is considered to be most improper. This unfortunate parenting has driven Dammit to become overly fond of making spurious bets and the expression “I’ll bet the devil my head”. Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, Poe, reads, Uncategorized | Tagged amreading, Dear Edgar, Poe, reads | 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 amreading, book-review, books, fiction, newbooks, poetry, reading, reads, sciencefiction, scifi, writers, writing | Leave a comment

Dear Edgar 27: The Man of the Crowd

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Mark Hayes

It was well said of a certain German book that “er lasst sich nicht lesen” –it does not permit itself to be read. There are some secrets which do not permit themselves to be told. Men die nightly in their … Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, Dear Edgar, Lovecraft, Poe, reads, retro book reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged amreading, book reviews, book-review, books, Dear Edgar, fiction, horror, Poe, reads, writing | Leave a comment

Miscast in petticoats

Posted on March 28, 2025 by Mark Hayes

Lucifer Mandrake, Arcanist to the court of St James, by appointment of Queen Victoria Saxe-Coburg, is not having his best day. Someone has been resurrecting dead peers of the realm. The House of Lords is now inhabited by the undead. Sooner or later, someone is bound to notice. Well probably. Is this just a plot to derail The Witchcraft Bill? Or is it something more insidious, such as a plan to remove Victoria as head of state and replace her with the King of Hanover? Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, book reviews, books, indie, indie novels, indie writers, novels, rites, sci-fi, steampunk, supernatural, Uncategorized | Tagged amreading, books, reads, sciencefiction, steampunk | Leave a comment

The Unleashening of Ben Sawyer

Posted on March 20, 2025 by Mark Hayes

Ben Sawyer is a fellow Harvey writer and novelist. His Holly Trinity novels are unique, delightful and set in the ancient ghost haunted city of York, a place for which I have no small affection. It has been something of … Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, indie novels, indie writers, supernatural, Uncategorized, urban fantasy | Tagged amreading, books, reads, writer, writerslife | Leave a comment

Holly Trinity and the apocalypse

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Ben Sawyers ‘Holly Trinity’ is a wonderful creation, the protector of York who sleeps below the city until needed, then raises her umbrella and does battle with the supernatural forces that plague the city. Often, of late, listening to Kate … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 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 amreading, amwritingscifi, book, book-review, books, fantasy, steampunk, steampunk fantasy | Leave a comment

Jessica Law

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Mark Hayes

A well thought out piece by Jessica law about her patreon, which I am sharing because I mentioned her patreon in a previous post. I mean I also liked it which is more than she did with my post, honestly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

By St Elmo’s Bowels

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Mark Hayes

Occasionally, on a morning at work, with my coffee, when it quiet and there is no major crisis to deal with I have too much time on my hands… Then Jessica Law (or someone else, but it is nearly always … Continue reading →