After listening to Ep.6 of @emmanewman.bsky.social & @aptshadow.bsky.social's excellent Starship Alexandria podcast, I watched Battle Beyond The Stars for the 1st time since about 1985. It'll never become a favourite, but I'm happy to admit pre-teen me was a far harsher critic than it deserved.

I often think about this letter to the New Statesman. It's from a 1960s Tory, and neatly summarises how British politics has shifted massively to the right, and taken Starmer's Labour party with it. #PoliticsLive

Them: How's the writing going? Me:

Tickets for this fabulous festival go live at midnight tonight, I'll post the link as soon as I have it. Tickets are limited, so grab one before they're all gone! #MoffatCrimeFest

Hey folks, I'm raising money for Venture Scotland, a charity that changes young people's lives through outdoor learning. I'm doing 300,000 steps in September, my small contribution to their attempt to walk the whole Scottish coastline. You can donate here, thanks: www.justgiving.com/page/doug-jo...

Just saw a post saying Threads is "The best movie you won't watch twice." I've seen it 3 times: in 1984, in 2003, and when it was rebroadcast last year. Does that make me weird? 🤔 (FWIW I think it's important to remind yourself of what could happen, then do what you can to make sure it doesn't.)

Nibbles 29/03/2008-22/07/2025. Rest in Peace, my sweet girl. You are and will be much missed.

you're gonna wanna see this

Almost a full year since I quit Twitter. Still no regrets.

This time 2 years ago I was sitting in a hotel room absolutely bricking it ahead of Creative Thursday at #TheakstonsCrime. I shouldn't have worried. It was a great day & an even better weekend @harrogatefestivals.bsky.social. If you're there this year, enjoy! If you're taking part in CT, good luck!

"Can you briefly explain the gap on your CV/resume?" "Yes. I've been trying to avoid bullshit like this."

My age verification is:- I remember Björn Borg winning his first Wimbledon.

Step into a gorgeous 19th-century building and spend the day on one of these oh-so comfy sofas networking with talented authors in #Leamingtonspa. Saturday 20/09 for workshops talks 121 sessions and books signed by the author! @franhill123.bsky.social @markedwardsauthor.bsky.social #swlitfest

Quite.

Went to see Jurassic World: Rebirth yesterday. While it isn't God-awful, it does have the single stupidest scene I think I've ever witnessed. 6/10...just.

Movie you've watched more than six times with a gif. ("Hard mode". No Star Wars, Star Trek, LotR or Marvel.)

Son the Middle is looking to do some freelance cover design this summer. He’s in the middle of a graphic design degree and has worked for us and Rachel McLean - if anyone knows of any indie authors looking for a cover designer let me know #indieauthors

I've been looking forward to this since it was announced!

I'm torn on this. Trad-pub seems closed to me (& of late there's been a fair bit that's 😬), but self-pub is a) increasingly pay-to-win & b) almost vanity publishing as a result. Tbh I've been thinking of posting to a site with a link to a Ko-Fi tip jar. Free to read if you want or pay what you like.

🚨SALE🚨 The Summer Sale is on! This weekend EVERY order in the shop has 25% off with code SUMMER25, including all preorders. And for the discerning eye, some new books and covers have been added, so take a look now and grab yourself a bargain! www.northodox.co.uk/bookstore

Name three films you've seen ten times. Blade Runner Alien Jaws

Frederick Forsyth, a great thriller writer and fascinating character in his own right. The hour spent listening to him a couple of years ago simply flew by, and was both a pleasure and a privilege. RIP.

If you're in or around Leek today, you know what to do.

Chilling out, cat on lap, listening to music. Anyway...why do I think of agents & editors when I hear the lines "And I know what you're thinking / You still think I am crap" ('In The City', The Jam)?

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

Gods, those are strong lists...

A very happy pub. day to @callytaylor.bsky.social, one of the best psych. thriller writers around! Don't believe me? Read her.

Add a letter, ruin a movie: Raiders of the Lost Park Top Gurn Stare Wars Startgate

Books. A couple of days late, but never mind. @spitfirefilly.bsky.social @robertharrishome.bsky.social

Me, waiting for a couple of publishers to re-open to submissions.

Me in The New Statesman today on poverty. Please share :)

Was expecting a book delivery today. It hasn't arrived. Boo! (It's showing as in transit, so at least it's definitely on its way. I'll see what tomorrow brings.)

Take the fictional characters quiz and post the first four you know. openpsychometrics.org/tests/charac... 1. Bruce Banner (Marvel CU) 2. Dexter Morgan (Dexter) 3. Odo (DS9) 4. Will Graham (Hannibal) I mean, I'm not saying it's wrong, but...umm...

"Silicon Valley has persuaded the government that it's easier for them to redefine theft than make them pay for what they have stolen." Thank you, Baroness Kidron, for telling it like it like it is. This is our last chance to stop IP theft. #NoAITheft #MakeItFair www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

There's a quiz. I got 10/10. Yay me, I guess.

Another day, another rejection. This one from an agent & of the more 'form' variety, but still...

Into Brum yesterday to see The Shark Is Broken. Great show with brilliant performances all round. If you get a chance to see it before its run comes to an end, do.

Forgive the publishing moan/mither/rant, but the latest 3 rejections (2 on Friday, 1 today) have all offered plenty of praise - good writing, characterisation, etc - before the eventual 'but despite all this... No' & it's got to me a bit.

*looks at news* Hm. Time to make some plans.

Having a bit of a "Can I go and live on the Moon?" day today. Because.

This panel can only be excellent. Oh, and buy their books. You won't regret it.

With one thing & another in publishing (& self-publishing; boycotting the Big River Place, etc) atm, I'm thinking of making my stuff available only on my website, for free, with a link to something for those who want to donate. No idea if (or how) it'd work, but... 😬

I put two books out into the world. One is on the list of works used to train AI. It was the one I signed up to KU. Funny that...

Fly high, sir, and thank you.

Belated birthday books. @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social @radiomukhers.bsky.social @aptshadow.bsky.social

Apparently it's World Book Day. Since I read every day, I'd better do some writing for once, I suppose. (Not written a thing in 6 months. Some writer, eh?)

I see. So, if we're to be stolen from & told we can't expect to earn from what we produce, then logically we can steal & tell them they can't expect to earn from what they produce. Right? Or will it be that we can be stolen from, but if we steal (megacorp IP, food) in return we'll be locked up?

Ah, historical truth. A thing not taught in British schools, be it about Ireland, Africa or India. (If you ever get the chance, listen to @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social re: India.)