Blog

Longer pieces on writing, making things, and the odd obsession.

The Man Who Drew the Same Map for 60 Years

A man named Jerry has been drawing the same fantasy map since 1963, and the system he built to keep going matters more than the map itself.

creativity · 2 months ago

Introducing Flash Fic Daily

One story prompt every day. A daily burst of creativity.

Project · 3 months ago

Why One Piece is a Masterclass in Fantasy Worldbuilding

There are a lot of things fantasy and speculative fiction writers can learn from One Piece.

Writing Analysis · 9 months ago

An Open Letter to Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazines

These magazines have been too complacent for too long. The readers are out there, they need to do better at finding them.

Rant · 10 months ago

The Truth All Writers Fear

No matter how many times you proofread your manuscript, the typo always reveals itself the instant you finally publish, and there's a name for why.

writing · 2 months ago

3 Notebooks Every Writer Needs

I'm almost all digital these days but there are 3 physical notebooks I can't live without.

Writing Advice · 4 months ago

The Rise and Fall of NaNoWriMo

NaNoWriMo had an unprecedented rise and a spectacular fall. Here's a brief outline of it's history and challenges.

Retrospective · 10 months ago

Can Trigger Warnings go Away Now?

It feels like tides are shifting. And whilst I'm well aware online literary circles will take the longest to catch up, I can at least try and nudge it along.

Rant · 10 months ago

Lower Your Standards

There's no such thing as writer's block for people whose standards are low enough, and learning to believe that again might be the whole trick.

creativity · 2 months ago

The Underrated Genius of Raymond Chandler

There's no-one like Raymond Chandler and he doesn't get the credit he deserves

Writing Analysis · 4 months ago

Alchemised — Kinky Fan-Fiction Disguised as Literary Fantasy

On the copyright implications of fan-fiction, the enrichment of J.K. Rowling, and the elevation of porn into literature.

Rant · 10 months ago

Why Vintage Sci-Fi Magazines Felt Special. And Why Modern Ones Don’t.

Why did vintage sci-fi magazines feel collectible while modern ones feel disposable? A look at how digital media, print costs, and changing reader habits transformed the genre.

Retrospective · 11 months ago