Frances Hardinge is wonderful. I mean, this is only the second book of hers that I’ve read, but I think the woman’s a bloody genius. She has a knack for drawing you so completely into historical worlds filled with magic and mystery that you feel like you’re right there inside of it. Continue reading “The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge | Book Review”
Dunk | Flash Fiction
It was only when I was stark bollock naked with my wrists tethered to a giant hook that I began to have doubts.
Not that there was any going back. There wasn’t time. Someone gave the go-ahead and I was raised into the air, feet flailing wildly, arms aching, fear setting in. I swayed side to side and back and forth as the crane slid me to the left and dangled me over the top of the vat of liquid skin. Continue reading “Dunk | Flash Fiction”
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng | Book Review
Anyone remember a few weeks ago when I wrote a blog post about how I hate not finishing books, even if I’m not enjoying them? Well, here comes a real-world example of why I am the way I am. Continue reading “Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng | Book Review”
A Selection of Tiny Tales | Microfiction
I’m up to my neck in editing right now (why did I ever think it would be a good idea to enrol on a novel-editing course at the same time as editing a collection of short stories which I plan to self-publish next month? WHY?!), which explains why I’ve been so utterly awful at replying to lovely comments and keeping up with everyone’s latest posts. Sorry about that. Hopefully I’ll have a little more time to catch up next week.
I’m also struggling to find time to pen all the stories I planned to write this week, both to post here and over on Medium. But I have been writing super short stories on Twitter on Instagram, so in the interests of shamefully plugging my social media pages, I thought I’d share a few of my recent favourites. I hope they might bring someone somewhere some mild entertainment at the very least. Continue reading “A Selection of Tiny Tales | Microfiction”
Kitten Café | Flash Fiction
The Prime Minister rubs at tired eyes and checks her watch. “Right. Give me an update on Kitten Café.”
The CEO of Kitten Café smiles and nods. “All is going well, Prime Minister. This month we’ve adopted out 244 cats within our London branches alone. I’ve yet to gt figures confirmed from other regions but -”
“I couldn’t care less about the cats,” the Prime Minister snaps. “Tell me how it’s really going.” Continue reading “Kitten Café | Flash Fiction”
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline | Book Review
You’ve probably been living under a rock if you’ve never heard of Ready Player One. It was a recent blockbuster hit after Spielberg turned it into a movie, but even before that people were lauding it as the best thing since sliced bread. Me? I have mixed feelings. Strap in – this one is long and rambling. Continue reading “Ready Player One by Ernest Cline | Book Review”
Curiosity | Microfiction
She took the strange bone home and stashed it on her treasure shelf alongside the rest of her collected curiosities. Shells and stones, skeletons of leaves, little Lego people and Kinder Egg loot, the pretty head of a ceramic lady. Continue reading “Curiosity | Microfiction”
Missed Targets | Flash Fiction
‘One hundred words to go, that’s all, bobblehead! One hundred little words to write until I meet my target and I can rest easy. And it’s only 4 a.m.! I’ve done well, haven’t I?’
The writer’s bobblehead mascot nods frantically in agreement as she taps out a manic rhythm on the desk with her fingers. Continue reading “Missed Targets | Flash Fiction”
Kablamo | Microfiction
‘Engage all switches when I countdown to one, okay?’
The crew barks its agreement.
The captain wipes the sweat from his brow. They’re under a lot of pressure. They crashed on this deserted planet 15 months ago due to an engine failure. Every waking minute had been dedicated to getting the ship back up and running. Now, they’re ready.
At least, he thinks they are. Turning the system back on is the first step, but security protocols demand that each control panel be rebooted in perfect unison. If they fail… well, they’re fucked. Continue reading “Kablamo | Microfiction”
Up Jumps The Devil by Michael Poore | Book Review
I read Michael Poore’s Reincarnation Blues earlier this year and loved it from the bottom of my heart, so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into Up Jumps The Devil. In a nutshell, this is the life story of the Devil, who also goes by the name of John Scratch, as he tries his best to make America a better place, dealing in souls along the way. Continue reading “Up Jumps The Devil by Michael Poore | Book Review”