My friend Andrew's new book TOADHEAD is out today. I was lucky enough to see an early draft and I can't wait to read the finished version. It's creepy and weird yet retains a sly sense of humour throughout, even (or especially) when things get disgusting (in all the right ways).

Bit of a stressful weekend, with Mrs C not well (now on the mend, thankfully), and my folks (understandably) telling me not to bring the bug down to theirs, so didn't get to see my dad on Father's Day. However, I got a lovely book haul in the new big Oxfam superstore, so that was nice.

@paulychilds.bsky.social I'm SOOOOOOO EXCITED!!! My book is now available in EVERY single library in Cornwall. Will you help me get it into a library near you? PLEASE SHARE. Thank you :-) "From Handbags to Hand Grenades" #UK #library #librarycampaign #britishlibrary

Completely by accident, during a Google search on a particular set of words, the top result was this piece that I co-wrote a few years ago. It's the story of the first time I saw The Empire Strikes Back and how that cinema trip pretty much changed my life. worldgeeklynews.com/80s-movie-ch...

It's been ages since I came on here, but after scrolling for just a minute or two it is quite clearly a much nicer atmosphere than the other place. I must make a point of coming here more often, and I will DEFINTELY make sure to follow back some of the lovely people who've recently followed me.

I was away over the weekend so this is slightly late, but it's that time of year again when I set fire to the kitchen (deliberately). Oidhche Bhlas Burns. Sláinte Mhath.

Watching Skeleton Crew. Two things to note about education in the Star Wars universe: 1) Careers are assigned to kids after a test - a bit like in Antz. 2) When asked what career they hope to be assigned, if any kid says "I'd like to mash potatoes," the teacher droids all laugh hysterically.

It's hard to express how much Bob's article, and the entire issue for that matter, changed things for me. It got me thinking about folklore, storytelling and nostalgia in ways I'd never considered before. It gave a name (Hauntology) to ascribe to feelings I'd been having for the longest time.

A nice thing happened. Earlier this week I made a lighthearted post about a recommendation email from Amazon and, in good humour, they joined the fun. When I got home from work today, the concierge handed me this: It really made my day. Huge thanks to Amazon Social Media Team

Hey chums - I can't go to the Manchester Whisky Festival next Friday (18th Oct, 2024) so I have 2 VIP tickets available (each ticket admits up to 2 people). Worth almost £100 per person, but will take that for the lot (or £50 per pair). Drop me a DM if interested.

Hey chums - I can't go to the Manchester Whisky Festival next Friday (18th Oct, 2024) so I have 2 VIP tickets available (each ticket admits up to 2 people). Worth almost £100 per person, but will take that for the lot (or £50 per pair). Drop me a DM if interested.

I got some Apple vouchers from my family for Christmas and birthday this year so I used them to get money off a new iPad and Procreate. Mrs C got me the new Apple Pencil. I've been meaning to try it out for art for a while and this is my first attempt. What do you think?

Today I am mostly thinking about a CD I pre-ordered last month and whoever wasn't paying attention to the spell-check when adding it to their website. Needless to say, I was highly disppointed when the CD arrived this weekend and it didn't contain "Opposums Attack Paula Abdul".

I do love these guys but there's something not quite right here... #DungeonsAndDragons #1983 #SaturdayMorningCartoons #OneOfOurAdventurersIsMissing #WheresPresto

I was interviewed by Martyn Greenwood, a lovely guy whose blog looks at books and writing through the unusual lens of daydreams. The questions made me think about how ADHD doesn't have to be a barrier but can be an asset when I'm creating stuff: daydreamsatchel.blogspot.com/2023/12/paul...

It's the 40th anniversary of the first NOW album - a hugely influential series that's affected just about everyone in some way - so here's a thing I wrote for Haunted Generation about Christmas, toys, the end of childhood and, tangentially, NOW 8 on cassette. hauntedgeneration.co.uk/2020/08/22/f...

Saw Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands last night. It was pretty good but whenever Edward was on stage, all I could think of was Rob Newman dressed as Robert Smith of The Cure, singing "I'm A Little Teapot." Thanks, Mary Whitehouse Experience. Thanks a bunch. www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2rP...

This morning's tape will be NOW 11 from 1988. This one always reminds me of a girl I was going out with at the time called Julie who I went on my first ever date with to see The Living Daylights. Also, it has one of the most aggressively creepy introductions to a song ever:

Today I am mostly listening to the cassette versions of NOW That's What I Call Music 12 and 13 (or XIII as it was styled on the cover - the only example of Roman Numerals on a NOW album). 13 is by far my favourite NOW cover. They came out in 1988 - I was 13.

I got a nice surprise today. The story I wrote for a Comma Press course has been published in the anthology Obscura: New Uncanny Tales, edited by @davidhartley.bsky.social. You can get it on Kindle now for only 99p! amazon.co.uk/Obscura-Unca...

Everyone keeps comparing the new John Lewis ad to Little Shop Of Horrors or Day Of The Triffids but I can't be the only person whose first thought was the animated linking section in Creepshow 2... Can I?

We had a lovely relaxing weekend at my parents' house over the last few days. Here is their dog, Poppy, doing her very best Harrison Ford impression... "But how did you get her to sit so still?" I hear you ask. A biscuit just above the lens. Works every time.

After months of struggling with seborrheic dermatitis, itchy scalp, dry skin, sores and hair loss, made worse by compulsive scratching meaning (thanks ADHD), I decided to photograph the top of my head. Now I understand. The Tripods will make it all better. #HappyCappingDay

I happened to catch this amazing dusky sunset as I walked past the window at my in-laws house. I know it's not all amazing reds and oranges, but something about the houses and chimney pots gave me a real sense of Bert the Sweep and Mary Poppins dancing across London's rooftops.

Submitted a story last night for an anthology (it's already in the book, I just had to finish the first draft by last night's deadline). It's not like anything I've ever written before, so I'm really excited for people to read it. More news on said book to follow as it emerges.

This was really good. My only criticism is that I wanted there to be more when it ended.

I left home in Manchester at 5.55. I'm now in the M6 Till services near Birmingham at 7.20. It is still dark. This Leon breakfast muffin had better be good.

I'm currently reading The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, my first ever Agatha Christie. Poirot's gathered everyone and is about to reveal whodunnit and I'm fairly sure I know. They certainly had means and opportunity, but I can't work out a motive. All will be revealed soon...

It's #ADHD Awareness Month so here's a visual representation of: a) My mind before diagnosis. Several seemingly unrelated jumbled thoughts at once but they made sense to me. But it was easy to get horribly lost, sometimes for hours on a lonely road with nowhere to turn around.

Introduce yourself using three books you love: The Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy Soul Music Salem's Lot

Daily Mixes 2, 3 & 5 get the thumbs up - some of my favourite artists. 1 is good, but a little odd (two of my favourite artists with another who I have no real opinion of one way or the other and just doesn't belong there) and 4? Well... Is Spotify okay?

Just got an email to an inbox I don't really use anymore. The temptation to reply and toy with the guy is great...

A bit of electro-pop fun for a rainy lunch break. I started this off when I was on holiday last month (in my friend's front room in Glasgow while everyone else was still in bed). I've spent a couple of weeks tweaking it and here it is. I hope you enjoy it, chums! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh6Y...

The state of Twitter this week: THEM: They mean to man. Do not do. Be nice to man. ME: Agree. Met man. He nice. THEM: GRRRR! I BLOCK YOU! I'm sure they have their reasons, and I hope they're okay, but I'm done worrying about this kind of thing. Take it away, Taylor: youtu.be/nfWlot6h_JM?...

Mrs C is out tonight so I am watching Mandy as I don't think she'd like it (although this is my first watch). What can I expect? Any good?

I've just noticed that the review of BAIT is now live on Ginger Nuts Of Horror. I knew Jim had enjoyed it, but I'm still blown away by the kind words he has written about it. It's very humbling. Thanks so much @gnofhorror.bsky.social - wishing you all the best.

A reintroduction seems appropriate, so here are some facts to get to know me (and even those who already do might find out something new): 1. I'm from Corby in Northamptonshire, which has many links with Glasgow and Scotland. Therefore I adore Irn Bru, haggis, chocolate macaroons and butter tablet.

OK, so this is Bluesky, eh? Thanks for the follows, chums. Good to see some familiar faces from the other place. So what's the deal here? Carry on as usual? Completely reinvent oneself like Kylie Minogue? And how does the invite code thing work? Enquiring minds wanna know!