It appears I’ve appeared on national TV… Life is picking up! 🙂 This was all very exciting, not the least of which is because it was recorded at half past-midnight Australian time. I was quite happy with how coherent I still was… At least it was aired in more appropriate, viewer-friendly hours. So please, read […]
News / Blog
Hot off the… err… Scribe: Ancient News Roundup
A few things on the agenda today, from ancient Roman wine-making to expensive coins, from functional shields to decorative helmets, and even some ancient military humour! Wines today and in Roman times This article about ancient wine popped up in my feed: We Drink Basically The Same Wine As Ancient Romans — And That’s Not […]
Book Review: Three Nights in Faral-Khazal, by David Samuels
I like indie fantasy, and with the credentials behind the novella (finalist in Baen Fantasy Adventure finalist, and an honourable mention in Writers of the Future) this looked very promising. What to expect A novella-length collection of three short stories. The story that won the above awards is the first one – Deadliest Dish. Each […]
Who is that spotlight aimed at, anyway?
As most of you would know (at least, those on the mailing list), I’m very close to finishing the first draft of In Victrix. In fact, I just killed someone — someone who was there from the start, and I always knew had to die… Horribly, violently so. It was a sheer bloodbath, and I […]
Why We Write
Every author gets this question: why do you write? Interview answers sometimes seem trite, but we also each ask ourselves that at times. Like those times when I actually write. Seems like it’s either fingers-flying-over-keyboard madly-cackling-about-to-be-arrested bouts, or the stare-listlessly-out-the-window and think “Why am I doing it to myself?” Well, here’s the (or at least, […]
Book Review: Orconomics, by J. Zachary Pike
Orconomics brings together humour, engaging character, and thoughtful consideration together to make excellent fantasy. What to expect The book starts on a lighthearted tone, almost a parody of classic role-playing games and their logical conclusion, by considering how would fantasy economies work with a plethora of adventurer parties running around and looting everything. Don’t be […]
Series Review: Plebs
Following my review of Chlemsford 123 (the greatest Roman-era sitcom of all times!) I found the more recent Plebs. Centered around the lives of (very) common people in 27 BCE Rome, it’s a nice little British sitcom with enough going on for it. What to Expect Set in Rome of 27 BC, two mates – […]
Writing Process (or, how to make sure the muse works for you)
On several occasions recently (lecturing writing groups and chatting online) I was asked about my writing process, about anything from using pen and paper vs typing to ideation. And it hit me that a lot of it is inter-connected. I’ve talked about the tools I use and where I sit on the plotting-vs-pantsing scale, but […]
Ancient Trivia
Did you know that the word “trivia” originates in Latin? Trivia is based on trivial, which in turn comes from trivialis. That pertains to trivium — three roads, or a crossroad, as something very commonplace that can be found anywhere. Of course, Trivia was also an epithet of Diana, goddess of the hunt, wild animals, […]
Book Review: Cthulhu Armageddon, by CT Phipps
I like genre mash-ups, have loved Lovecraft’s work (and have role-played the old Call of Cthulhu RPG), and although I don’t read much dystopian works these days I was in the mood for something darker. Cthulhu Armageddon was it. What to expect The author notes in the preface that he set out to mix Mad […]
FELIX THE FOX MYSTERIES 