Some time ago, Fantastic Books Publising ran a competition: write a horror story in exactly 666 words (excluding title). Horror fiction isn’t my forte because I find the blood and guts of modern horror fiction and films mildly disgusting rather…

I’ve been busy with storytelling and similar commitments during the past few days and I’d like a day to rest, sit in my armchair, read a little, listen to music and blow bubbles. However, life goes on making demands… But…

Hank Quense has a track record for writing light-hearted, entertaining and idiosyncratic fantasy fiction in which characters from literary classics or traditional culture are reborn in implausible and generally hilarious settings. Falstaff was one memorable subject of a previous Quense…

Last weekend I drove to Edinburgh to attend the funeral of one of my oldest and dearest friends. Michael had been diagnosed with cancer three years ago. After a period of remission the cancer returned and he refused further chemotherapy,…

Sometimes one can feel pretty stupid. Sometimes deservedly so. Last week I posted a blog about petrichor, an aroma that I like many others find entrancing. Two nights ago I experienced a less pleasing odour. I was preparing an excerpt…