I've entered #SPFBO XI where, I'm certain, my book will not be one of the lucky 300 to finish up in the competition. Again. You'll find me whimpering on the roadside, regretting all the life choices that have decided this is the best way to portray karma.

Can your book join the #SPFBO champions? Entry to the 11th annual contest opens tomorrow! It's free... 🙂

Allow me to introduce you to some of the creatures and races that make up the folklore of Great Britain. Frequently featuring in my novels, these islands boast a wide range of strange stories - perhaps with a nugget of truth. linktr.ee/phil_parker #folklore #myths #legends #fantasy #books #author

August sub thread Book 89 Expected witty urban fantasy, got something darker, grittier & more compelling. This surprised me with solid worldbuilding, a principled gruff lead & no male gaze. Grim but fast-paced and sharp. I’ll be reading more. 💙📚🪐 📚🌃 #FantasyFaction #SFFbookRecommenfation

Looking for a gritty fantasy book? 🗡️📙 The Sins of Steel and Shadow 📙🗡️ Hated and reviled by humans and vampyrs alike, every day for a Turned is a deadly struggle. But when Bail is offered the chance of a lifetime, there’s much more at stake than just his survival. stevepannett.com/books/the-si...

An important question to ask for the #writingcommunity. I began writing fiction late in life but believe my life experience enriches my stories. Challenging yourself keeps you young.

And so it begins! Here's the opening paragraph to the next instalment of my #noirfantasy series! The British Bureau for the Arcane has morphed into the CAI; a main character with her dad's qualities (oops spoiler!) faces new and exciting challenges. linktr.ee/phil_parker #booksky #urbanfantasy

I won 2 out of the 3 games in our Christmas board game bonanza - while drinking cocktails. Therefore: a. I am a genius b. I think better with alcohol Which is the correct answer? 🤔

Well worth watching as 3 experts on historical fiction - who also write brilliant fantasy stories - talk about the writing process. I join in as the token idiot.

We're reaching "the end of days" - well, for this #sale anyway! Half price paperbacks! What a way to start the new year! www.smashwords.com/profile/view... Want ebook formats? No problem! linktr.ee/phil_parker #Happynewyear! 🍾🎉🎆

My 4 year old granddaughter now reads fluently and even corrects her mum's grammar (English is her second language). She loves reading and books are "the best". She's already showing signs (with her siblings and parents) of becoming a teacher. I could not be more proud.

What's Up Doc on television - an all-time favourite of mine and it hasn't dated; but good comedy doesn't. Ryan O'Neal turning deadpan into an art form. Streisand's timing is perfect. And Peter Bogdanovich's direction shows his love of the silent cinema's classic comedy. #cinema #comedy #films

When @charliecav.bsky.social enjoys your book, you know you have arrived!! The British Bureau for the Arcane has reached Australia!

I have so many online writer pals that I can't send you individualised messages, so please accept my simple (minded) rhyme. Merry happy stuff everyone! Thank you for your support, encouragement and friendship! #authorsky #writingcommunity #Christmas #indieauthors

This is so true. Came across an ancient file (think Epic of Gilgamesh) the other day and was horrified by its lack of skill and sophistication. What's worse - I'd sent it for submission too! 🫣🫤

THE SINS OF STEEL AND SHADOW is out now, available as paperback and ebook, wherever books are sold. I loved every moment of writing the opener to this gritty fantasy series, so I hope readers enjoy it just as much! linktr.ee/stevepannett

Ha it's me who has to say thank you for the amazing entertainment! Without awesome stories there wouldn't be anything to review or blog about. So you're very welcome!

#bloggers - the author's best friend. Many thanks for all your support and positive energy @fanfiaddict.bsky.social @blog.readindiefantasy.com @kithrup.bsky.social @kitvaria.bsky.social @indiebookspotlight.com

#bloggers - the author's best friend. Many thanks for all your support and positive energy! @grimoireinkreviews.bsky.social @bookshelfie.bsky.social @fantasybooknerd.bsky.social @lotusbooks.bsky.social @lynnsbooks.bsky.social @liisp.bsky.social

#bloggers - the author's best friend. Many thanks for all your support and positive energy! @keepreadingkristen.bsky.social @alitescape.bsky.social @bookshineblog.bsky.social @shesreadingagain.bsky.social @bookspotlight.bsky.social @mr-sosotris.bsky.social @behindthepages.bsky.social

#bloggers - the author's best friend. Many thanks for all your support and positive energy! @esmeweatherwax8.bsky.social @jamreads.com @nickborrelli.bsky.social @wsbookclub.bsky.social @queensbookasylum.com @sffaddictspod.bsky.social @thebookrest.bsky.social @bethtabler.bsky.social

#Writingcommunity @derek-power-author.bsky.social @hollytinsl3y.bsky.social @simonkewin.co.uk talk about how they write, with tips & shared experience www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/w-r-i-t... www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/w-r-i-t... www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/w-r-i-t...

Haven't done one of these in a while! C @charliecav.bsky.social H @hollytinsl3y.bsky.social R @rjbayley.bsky.social I @emilyinkpen.bsky.social S @stephenaryan.bsky.social T @tombookbeard.bsky.social M @michaelrfletcher.bsky.social A @alexsbradshaw.bsky.social S @simonkewin.co.uk cont'd

Half a century of dedication and a lot of blood shed - not always his own. Arlo Austin's story defines the British Bureau for the Arcane - government agencies have secrets too. Witches, fairies and werewolves, oh my! linktr.ee/phil_parker #booksky #fantasybooks #noirfantasy #indieauthor

#Writingcommunity My next interview is with prolific speculative fiction author @simonkewin.co.uk We talk inspirations, routines and switching genres. With 100 short stories plus a bunch of novels, how does he do it?? www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/w-r-i-t... #booksky #authorsky

#Writingcommunity Do you get your best ideas when you're asleep? Do they feature in dreams? If so, you are benefitting from 'lucid dreaming' where the brain's alpha waves kick up a notch. It's the brain on 'night shift'. Find out more: www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/the-wri... #authorsky

If you're a #writer then you'll want to know about the trends in 2026 are likely to affect you. Based on research from a variety of sources, this is how to stay ahead of a competitive business. www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/self-pu... #writingcommunity #authorsky #indieauthor

Coming soon! My next interrogation - oops, that should read interview (using my contrived acronym W.R.I.T.E.) is with the authoring machine that is @simonkewin.co.uk - he of the hundred short stories, science fiction AND fantasy novels. How does he do it? Find out later this week! #booksky

Anyone else think The War Between the Land and the Sea has descended (sorry!) into pantomime? The baddies are bad, the goodie are good, love interest blossoms in seconds and for no reason other than to redo Romeo and Juliet. I really wanted it to be good.

#Writers seem to like these W.R.I.T.E. interviews, a chance to talk about being an #author. As @hollytinsl3y.bsky.social explains, #indieauthors do more than write. Networking is vital, assembling a team too. www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/w-r-i-t... #booksky #writingcommunity #fantasy

Precis writing. A compulsory part of the English A Level until the '80s. At the time I hated the exercise - now, as a #writer, it was invaluable, it taught me to be concise and precise. Like having an editor in your head. Literary analysis is great but #language analysis is too. #writingcommunity

Want to read a short story or two? My alternate histories from the British Bureau for the Arcane catalogue are FREE. Stories featuring Charles II, Lord Byron and Beatrix Potter! There are belligerent fae, werewolves and a vampire too! www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/britishburea... #booksky

Honoured to have been invited to take part in this interview, in which I dispense my limited authorly wisdom, recommend some indie books and channel the spirit of @timhardieauthor.bsky.social

Calling all #writers! My latest W.R.I.T.E. interview is with the ultra-dynamic @hollytinsl3y.bsky.social. Find out how she balances a day job with writing AND curating @spotlightindie.bsky.social for other #indieauthors! www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/w-r-i-t... #booksky #writingcommunity

‪Time and date would help‬ ‪Fri 9pm (UK) / 4pm (EST) and Sat 8am (Aust)‬

@derek-power-author.bsky.social and I chat about writing - world building, routine, inspiration & authory stuff like that - via my highly contrived acronym W.R.I.T.E. Plus, look out this weekend when I talk to the dynamic @hollytinsl3y.bsky.social www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/w-r-i-t...

They make exciting Christmas presents in paperback and there's 50% off the normal price in the sale. www.smashwords.com/profile/view... Or ebook prices are just 99p. linktr.ee/phil_parker Novels defined as "Fantasy does Men In Black" or "James Bond version of Urban Fantasy". #Booksky #noirfantasy

From the 8th to the 31st of January is the Smashwords End of Year Sale 2025, which my Ankuan Trilogy is lucky to be a part of. If you want 3 books for the price of one and a half (😮), now is your chance!

No, not mermaids but MEREmaids! Amphibious denizens of British lakes. Windermere is the deepest so the legend isn't surprising. Another British Bureau for the Arcane short story - with a cameo from a local celebrity! 😏 www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/the-british-... #Britishfolklore #booksky

4 days ago I wrote this: "I've reached that point in the first draft where the opening and ending doesn't match up. There's a gap in the plot and how it connects is proving evasive." I've found the answer!! Kind of staring me in the face too! #writingcommunity #authorsky #indieauthor #writer

The wonderful @philspeculates.bsky.social had me round for a little author chat using a funky acronym style of questions. Why not have a gander: www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/w-r-i-t... #indie #indieauthor #writers #fantasy

Have you invited Holly because her name is Christmassy? 😏

Mike Fletcher's confession

A book that has everything, including an author with leather pants and his pet pooch. What more do you need?

In the UK meanwhile: The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 sets out a merit-based process, ensuring senior judges are chosen from a pool of highly qualified candidates by an independent selection commission.

How do writers write? My contrived acronym offers answers and the mind that created the Irish fairy detective, @derek-power-author.bsky.social joins in. No leprechauns were harmed in this interview. Honestly! www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/w-r-i-t... #authorsky #booksky #writingcommunity

Looking for a Christmas present? Do your bookshelves need more books? Does your TBR need topping up? Some great deals are available here! "Oh look!" (he says with surprised expression) "Smashwords appears to have some of my books in the sale!" www.smashwords.com/profile/view... #booksky

The first victim in my W.R.I.T.E. series is the author of the Filthy Henry comic fantasy series, @derek-power-author.bsky.social We chat about #writing comic fantasy and authory stuff like that, using my contrived acronym! www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/w-r-i-t... #authorsky #booksky

Rivers of London is such a brilliant series! British folklore at its best plus a thrilling pace throughout the story. Highly recommended. I mean, highly!!