A little short story I wrote in an hour has been accepted by the good folk at Bright Light Multimedia. The story is called, ‘Time for a Tear’ and is about a man loosing his wife when giving birth to there child. Though it may sound sad it’s actually a story of love and hope.
You can read the story here: Time for a Tear
My thanks to Barbara and Rod for publishing the story!
I just got confirmation that I will be speaking at this years Sanity Fair in Brisbane. The Sanity Fair is an event where mental health NGO’s come together to bring awareness to mental health issues. There will be activities for families such as rides, other presenters and musical performances for both the community and consumers. I will be speaking about my anthology, ‘In Dark Times’ and my experiences with mental illness. I will be doing a book signing so if you want a signed copy then make sure you come on down. The date is yet to be confirmed but expecting later this year so I will keep you updated. Exciting stuff!
G’day, well two things going on at the moment.
First: I have received the manuscript appraisal for my sci-fi novella and there’s lot of changes, but it will be a lot better read once it is all amended. Second step will be to get it properly edited then I will send it off to my publisher, ‘Really Blue Books’ and hold my breath if it will be accepted or not.
If you are after an awesome and professional editor then Patrice Shaw is the one for you. Visit her Facebook page at: Patrice Shaw
Second: I have just purchased some recording gear so that I can turn ‘In Dark Times’ into an audiobook. In my talks to various mental health NGO’s, I was informed that some people with a mental illness find it hard to focus on reading a book. I have also come across the same issue with the clients I work with as a mental health support worker. So with that in mind I will be recording, (in a very aussie accent) the short stories from, ‘In Dark Times’. I will be recording one at time so I will keep you updated as to where and when the stories will appear.
Right that’s it! I’m off to eat a yummy salad made by my beautiful fiance 
Well I figured out how to scan on a mac so now I have two new articles in the article drop down menu above. The first is a ‘Author Feature’ article all about my first book, ‘In Dark Times’ in the Fellowship of Australian Writers Queensland magazine, ‘Scope’. The second very brief article is my Milestone mention in the Queensland Writers Centre [WQ] magazine.
In other news I will be going through an editing process soon for my second book, a sci-fi novella entitled, ‘The Farm’. I will keep you up-to-date as it goes along, fingers crossed if it will be accepted by my ebook publisher.
In other, other news I have begun work on a fantasy trilogy that will cause a bit of stir once it’s released. But until then I have yet to finish the first chapter though – so far it’s kick ass.
In other, other, other news Operation Propaganda will soon begin for promotion of, ‘In Dark Times’. It’s been slow getting all my stuff together but will hopefully start spreading the news about it’s release. If your a blog book reviewer drop us a line I’d be interested in arranging something.
In other, other, other, other news… have a great day!
Hello all. Some awesome news! The peek body for mental health in Queensland, Australia known as ‘Queensland Alliance’ will be promoting my book, ‘In Dark Times’. Queensland Alliance will promoting over various formats and have already posted information about ‘In Dark Times’ on their webpage, check it out here: QLD Alliance In Dark Times
My many thanks to the good people at Queensland Alliance you have made me a very fortunate and happy man. For all information and the fantastic services Queensland Alliance provide visit their website at: Queensland Alliance
Thank you and have a great day!
G’day, G’day well it appears I have been tagged in ‘The Next Big Thing blog meme’ where published or soon-to-be published authors, answer a series of questions about their work then tag other authors blogs to keep the ball rolling.
The fabulous author Pete Abela has tagged me (and my fence!) so here goes my turn to answer the questions:
1) What is the working title of your current/next book?
The title of the novella is called, The Farm.
2) Where did the idea come from?
The Farm was originally a very vague short story about clones that really went nowhere. In the past there has been a well-worn story plot about clones that learn their place in the world and escape to live in the real world. I decided to approach the idea from a different angle and not have the focus of that plot drive concerning clone awareness. Instead I had the idea of a man visiting a bio dome or, The Farm, where he interacts with clones and is emotionally involved with a clone of his deceased wife. As I said, The Farm was a two-page short story I wrote years ago but I kept coming back to it and added more and more until I had enough for a novella.
3) What genre does your book fall under?
It would fall under sci-fi but not your typical sci-fi as it’s more about the characters rather than whiz-bang technology.
4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
The main character, John, I had Sir Anthony Hopkins as his voice and physicality that suited the character. Whenever I strayed away from Johns voice or visual I would picture Sir Anthony and I would be able to get back into that characters appearance. The second main character I pictured a Brad Pitt type character but left it open to a very cocksure type of person. Though seeing as the setting of the book is in the Australian Outback it would seem more fitting to have Australian actors.
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
In a dystopian society John holds onto the clone of his wife only wanting for her safety, but in The Farm’s utopian society one clone will rise and destroy everything John holds dear.
6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m hoping it will be picked up by Really Blue Books as an ebook. I will also self-publish it as a paperback through POD publisher Lulu.com
7) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I don’t really read sci-fi although I like writing it as well as other genres. I would have to branch more into the fantasy world with the late great author, David Gemmell with his fabulously flawed hero’s. The main character in The Farm has many of these and when I read what I’ve written it reminds me of David’s work. The man was a genius.
8) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Nothing but my own imagination. I haven’t read any clone fiction and had seen only a few movies about the topic. When it came to the inspiration for ‘The Farm’ my brain normally has a series of flashes of imagery and dialogue then I let it ferment until there’s enough to write. I don’t read a lot so I rely on my own voices/voices to be the inspiration. My imagination never seems to rest which makes for many restless nights.
9) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
John Robertson’s devotes what’s left of his dark and miserable life to keeping the clone of his departed wife, Olivia, alive in her memory. Each day he travels to The Farm to record clone’s last words for his customers so that he can earn the funding to keep his Olivia alive. From afar John watches Olivia remembering happier times never wishing to approach her in case he causes her more pain. Then one day John sees a clone, a very dangerous clone, that will not only put his Olivia’s life in danger but every single clone in The Farm…. and mankind.
Now comes my turn to tag some people (but not their fence). Here’s four authors to watch:
Nick Duhigg author of Pendulum
Nene Davies soon to be Really Blue Books author
Jeni Mawter author of Kiss Kill
Jane Seaford author of Archie’s Daughter
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
G’day all,
Well I gave my second talk about the release of my anthology In Dark Times at the Southside Mental Health Collaborative Meeting where representatives from various mental health organisations attended. I was lucky enough to attend and promote my book and talk about my experiences with mental illness and how I came to write In Dark Times. There was a good response and it was a great experience. I’m thankful to Zoe and Jacque from Anam Cara and the good people at the Southside Mental Health Collaborative Meeting for allowing me to talk.
I did film it and it will be up on the (seems forever) up and coming Youtube channel. Thanks and have a great day!
