Since the publication of The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe, in 1950 (and the subsequent releases of the following six books of The Chronicles Of Narnia between then and 1956), C.S. Lewis’ classic children’s fantasy series has remained in print continuously. It is a testament to the popularity of the series that if you... Continue Reading →
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Book Quote: “I Do Not Believe That I Am…”
THE QUOTABLE QUOTE OF THE DAY It is safe to assume that Edgar Rice Burroughs will always be best remembered as the author of Tarzan Of The Apes, and the creator of its titular hero who has appeared in numerous on screen adaptations, radio broadcasts, and comics. But there’s also no denying how influential... Continue Reading →
Ruminations On Developing Strength Of Character
If you ask a hundred bookworms to identify the most essential ingredient for a must read book, there’s almost no chance you would get unanimous agreement. All readers have differing sentiments that affect what they want and enjoy most in a work of fiction. For many readers there will be one specific box that... Continue Reading →
The Race To Beat Patrick Rothfuss To The Punch
Four days after the publication of my second novel, The Apprentice In The Master’s Shadow, I stumbled upon an article by the publishing industry veteran, Jane Friedman, in which she presented the startling statistic that a little over 80% of published authors quit writing after their third book. In the almost two years since... Continue Reading →
The Heroine Chic Book Fair Ends Tomorrow
Earlier this month, an intrepid band of fantasy authors joined forces to present to the world, Heroine Chic, the book fair that has curated twelve must read adult fantasy ebooks featuring a female protagonist. The two week long promotion comes to an end tomorrow, so go check it out now to discover a new fantasy... Continue Reading →
Book Review: The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz By L. Frank Baum
FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD BOOK DETAILS The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz (The Oz Series, Book 1) L. Frank Baum Genre: Children’s Classic, Juvenile Fantasy Publisher: Hesperus Press Format: Paperback, 144 Pages Date: 25th January 2013 (First Published 1900) ISBN-10: 1843913909 ISBN-13: 9781843913900 THE REVIEW A young girl and her pet dog find... Continue Reading →
The Catalyst For My Writing Aspirations
I have always taken it for granted that for every author, whether published or unpublished, there is one specific book read during their childhood that planted the seed which would eventually grow into the desire to be a storyteller. I know that I can trace the beginning of my own journey to becoming an author... Continue Reading →
Book Quote: “We’re A Different Sort Of Thief…”
THE QUOTABLE QUOTE OF THE DAY Frequently described as Oliver Twist meets Ocean’s Eleven, The Lies Of Locke Lamora is the critically acclaimed first book of the Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch. It’s an inventive heist tale that combines exemplary world building with strong characterisation and intricate plotting. It’s well worth a read... Continue Reading →
Evaluating The Two Most Commonly Given Writing Tips
There are two pieces of writing advice I can guarantee that every aspiring author has received numerous times while pursuing their writing ambitions. The first advice is “read a lot,” and the second is “write a lot.” Both are simple, straightforward tips that likely seem so obvious you might wonder why anyone would find... Continue Reading →
Book Review: The Fallen Blade By Jon Courtenay Grimwood
ACT ONE OF THE ASSASSINI BOOK DETAILS The Fallen Blade (The Assassini, Book 1) Jon Courtney Grimwood Genre: Historical Fantasy Publisher: Orbit Format: Paperback, 432 Pages Date: 5th April 2012 (First Published 2011) ISBN-10: 1841498467 ISBN-13: 9781841498461 THE REVIEW A ship docks at night in the city state of Venice, and customs officers... Continue Reading →