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Awards Awards Conventions Events Fantasycon Fiction New Poetry New Story

September Shenanigans: Event Horizon, Fantasycon, Thirty Years of Rain and more.

I’ve got a bit of news. Well, quite a lot of news, actually. Earlier this year, I put in an application to the University of Glasgow’s MLitt programme in Fantasy — and to my immense delight, they accepted me. So I’m currently condensing my life into a dozen boxes, as I’ll be moving myself and them up to Glasgow this weekend. It’s both terrifying and utterly exciting (and I’m not just talking about the ability to buy a tonne of books and call it work), but I can’t wait to be living in such a vibrant, creative community of writers and artists. The hard work begins here.

September is looking to be a busy month already, with book launches, events, and two new things coming out. While I’m taking a breather from boxing up, I thought you might like to know what’s coming up in the next few weeks…

Event Horizon 11

5th September: Event Horizon XI (Edinburgh)
Next Monday, join me, Bram E. Gieben, Harry Giles, Elaine Gallagher, The Spiders, and Russell Jones for stories, slam poetry and some stonking performances that’ll knock your SFing socks off. We’ll be at the Blind Poet in Edinburgh from 7pm. For more details, check out the facebook event page here, or last week’s blog.

23rd September: Shoreline of Infinity 5 is out! (Everywhere!)
The next issue, featuring my latest Noise and Sparks column, hits the shelves! Pick it up from Transreal Fiction or Deadhead Comics in Edinburgh, or order direct from www.shorelineofinfinity.com.

Additionally…

Thirty Years of Rain

23rd – 25th September: Fantasycon-by-the-Sea (Scarborough)
This year’s Fantasycon ships up in sunny Scarborough for a weekend of fun, frolics and the world famous Fantasycon Disco Karaoke, the Karaoke is the best. Kev McVeigh, Martin Petto and I have just finished judging for the Non-Fiction Award of the British Fantasy Awards, which will be announced that weekend. I’ve also been booked for a panel, so more on that when it’s been officially announced. For now, I can say I’ll be at the NewCon Press & Glasgow SF Writers’ Circle Book Launch on Saturday (24th) at 3pm, where we’ll be signing copies of the GSFWC‘s 30th anniversary anthology, Thirty Years of Rain. If you’re about, why not join us?

30th September: Thirty Years of Rain – Glasgow launch (Glasgow, funnily enough)
Naturally, it wouldn’t be right to have a Glaswegian book without a Glasgow launch. Come join me and even more GSFWC authors at Waterstones (Sauchiehall Street) for free booze, readings — and, of course, we’ll be on hand to sign any 30th anniversary anthologies you may have just bought that evening. The event kicks off at 7pm, so do join us then.

If you’re not able to make either of the two launch dates for Thirty Years of Rain, you’ll be able to order it online nearer the time, and I’ll post details of that when I have them. In the meantime, if you’re wanting your new story fix, don’t forget Fox Pockets: The Evil Genius Guide (feat. ‘Dame Ammonia Dastardly-Truste’s Evil Genius College for Ladies Class of 2014: Graduation Speech [Transcript]’) is out now in paperback, with e-book to follow soon.

I think that’s it — until Glasgow!

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New Poem: The love of a season in Fox Spirit’s Winter Tales

Fox Spirit Books have revealed the line-up for their new Winter Tales anthology. Edited by Margrét Helgadottir, the line-up includes new tales from Adrian Tchaikovsky and James Bennett… and new poetry from me.

‘The love of a season’ will be my first published poem, so I’m immensely pleased that Margrét and the Foxy folk will be putting this one out.

The anthology isn’t due out until early next year, but I’ve got the green light to preview my poem later this month at Fantasycon, where I’ll be reading on the Saturday night. Hope to see you there, if you’re going.

Otherwise, Winter Tales will be out through Fox Spirit Books in early 2016. You can find the full line-up here.

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Blog Music New Story Photography Photos Reviews

Bits & Bobs: *UPDATED* The Lake Poets, Girl At The End Of The World, and Monuments

And SHAZAM – August! How did that happen? Things have been a bit quiet on the blog front, but that’s because things have been so busy on the work front. Hopefully more on that soon…

First, though, here’s a wee update on a couple few things published in the last few weeks.

NEW FICTION

THE GIRL AT THE END OF THE WORLD, Vol. 1 & 2
Fox Spirit Books
Feat. ‘Blueprint for Red Wings’

The Girl At The End Of The World, Vol. 1 - Girl variant cover
The Girl At The End Of The World, Vol. 1 – Girl variant cover


Out now. Spread across two volumes, this collection of apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction includes stories from Adrian Tchaikovsky, James Oswald, Margret Helgadottir and many more. You’ll find my story ‘Blueprint for Red Wings’ amongst them.

There’s also two variant covers for each one – the one above is my favourite for volume 1. Available from the usual outlets…

NEW PHOTOS

The Lake Poets w/ Daniel Laidler
(EP launch night at the Mining Institute. A beautiful wee venue.)
http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4147992-in-photos–the-lake-poets-the-mining-institute-newcastle

The Lake Poets - The Mining Institute, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne,  June 2014
The Lake Poets – The Mining Institute, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, June 2014


Still to come… Photos of Blacklisters, Martha, General Sherman, the last ever Rivals set, Eliza Carthy, Fran Muriel, and rare By Toutatis shots.

Which reminds me, I’ve got a little question for you… You’ve been reading this blog for a while. Are there any bands, particularly in the North-East, that you reckon I should photograph? Give me a nudge on here or on twitter if you’ve got any thoughts.

*UPDATE* NEW REVIEW

Monuments – The Amanuensis
http://www.thrashhits.com/2014/07/album-monuments-the-amanuensis/

Monuments - The Amanuensis reviewed for Thrash Hits
Monuments – The Amanuensis reviewed for Thrash Hits


I knew I’d forget something.

That’s it. Now I reckon it’s time for a blog on what’s coming up… See you soon!
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Blog Fiction Music Opinion Other Stuff Photography Photos Ruth Runs

Bits and Bobs: Blue Rose Code, RM Hubbert + Aidan Moffat, New Column + Photography Gigs, and more

Lots of things to tell you about, particularly if you like photos of RM Hubbert and Aidan Moffat, Blue Rose Code and M. G. Boulter, Drowned in Sound, Mass Movement, Thrash Hits – and this…

Mass Movement - Ruth Writes #0: An unexpected phone call...

So, let’s get to it…