I strikes me that while I have mentioned Ruth Downie‘s writing before, have interviewed her protagonist Gaius Petreius Ruso, and have even used him for a guest appearance – with permission! – in In Numina, I have never actually wrote a full review of her books. I’ve read the first two books a couple of years […]
Books
Happy Saturnalia! A year in review
Happy mid-winter (mid-summer) to all! While northern-hemispherers are stuffing themselves with last harvest’s preserves, and sourthern-hemispherers are chucking another shrimp on the barbie in the languid heat, I thought I’d offer a review of the year that passed and the year to come, at least as it pertains to Felix and his adventures. I started […]
A New breed of Dragons!
I don’t often write dragons, but when I do – I publish them in an anthology. Well, yeah, OK, I also publish them here on the Short Stories section. In fact, Modern Dragon from the Short Stories section is also included in this new anthology. So to the point: I am honoured to announce the inclusion […]
Bits and Snippets of Writing
Not all ideas end up as a full novel. Sometime’s it’s just a flash fiction, or even a mere snippet of a story. Here are a couple of particularly delicious ones from the past few weeks. All were done as a prompt (where someone asked for it or not…) to an image. This little techno-beasty […]
Griffins, Gryphons, and other monsters
I found this review of griffins across several cultures on Mr. P’s Mythopedia page. (Click to enlarge the picture). I find it interesting, as Murder in Absentia includes a griffin (or gryphon, in the more Greek-like spelling used in the book). It’s based on the classic type below, with the front half including the forelegs […]
Book Marketing 2.0
A few weeks ago I ran a Facebook giveaway for marketing material – images to help authors put some pizzazz in their book marketing efforts. It gotten quite a response (particularly the later analysis of results), so I thought you’d all appreciate seeing what the fuss is about. Here are a few different ways in […]
Need some pizzazz in your book marketing?
My Facebook author page is almost at 1,000 likes, so I thought it’s… To help nudge the page over the 1,000 likes, I’m running a giveaway! I’ll create some marketing material, to help you promote your books. This can be straight up promo images, or a social media banner, or even an animated .gif. Whatever […]
YES!!! (Wherein I explain how to read reviews)
First, a big WOOHOO!! I’ve just got another 1-star review on Amazon! Yippee! No, I’m not crazy, I know how the star system works. This particular verified purchase review says: One Star do not recall this book and I cannot give a fair critic [sic] of it. So, basically, someone bought my book, maybe read it, […]
The Immortality of the Mystery
A guest post I have written as part of Mystery Thriller Week, originally published on Rae’s “A new Look on Books” blog. What’s in common between the latest scientific research about virus propagation, genetic modification for interstellar colonisation, and ancient priests poking about in animal entrails to predict the favour of the gods? More on […]
Book Review: Salt in the Blood, by N. B. Williams
I’ve met Nikki Williams through Twitter. We’ve exchanged a few messages, discussed books and publishing, and became friends. I knew she was writing a horror novella, and was curious about it. She was kind enough to give me an ARC copy late last year. Now that she has finally published it, I was happy to […]
FELIX THE FOX MYSTERIES 