Wednesday 31 December 2014

Down Under Author Showcase - January 2015



During January, Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words will be hosting a special showcase of authors from Australia and New Zealand. Different authors will be featured each day, and I myself will be appearing on 2 January 2015. Every author will be offering a giveaway and there are other prizes on offer too during the course of the month, including a $75 Amazon gift card.

So visit Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words throughout January to discover more!

Book Review: Dead Man in Deptford by Anthony Burgess

Title: A Dead Man in Deptford
Author: Anthony Burgess
Publisher: Vintage

Publication Date: 2010 (1992)
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fiction
Source: Birthday Gift

2014 - End of Year Update

Well it's been an eventful year. I left my office job back in April and began to work as a freelance editor and proofreader. I really love the work, and being my own boss, but I need to try to get more projects flowing in during 2015 if I want to keep doing it full-time. My main work is for new publisher Wayward Ink Publishing, but I've also had several commissions from indie authors.

My own writing has had a real boost in 2014 after the disappointment of Silver Publishing closing. I branched into the realm of M/M literature, writing under an alternate pen name, Asta Idonea. I've had two short stories published in anthologies from Wayward Ink Publishing already, and have two other submissions I am currently waiting to hear back on for 2015 anthologies. Meanwhile, in June I commenced work on a fantasy trilogy, The Ragnarök Chronicles. Six months and 216,000 words later, the trilogy is completed. I didn't find a publisher interested, but I have decided to self-publish. I have already designed the cover and completed the print formatting. I am merely awaiting the CiP information before I commence the final stage of EPUB formatting. If all goes to plan, I hope to release the work early in the new year and will of course post details once it comes out. At the same time, I will also be re-releasing my earlier novella Time Keepers.

In 2015, I hope to rework my past novella, Day-Walker, into a full-length novel, and then self-publish that one too. Plus I have ideas for some other new works brewing in the back of my mind. I'm feeling highly creative lately, and for that I give thanks to Loki, my fiery muse.

2014 was also a good year for me with regards to music and drawing. I wrote a few original songs and have been working hard on my drawing technique. In 2015, I want to continue to work on my shading and blending, and I also plan to have a try at some colour pieces too.

Wishing everyone all the best for 2015!

Tuesday 23 December 2014

Tuesday Top Ten: Christmas Songs

Welcome to my last Tuesday Top Ten post. Since it's that time of year again, I figured this week's top ten list should be my favourite Xmas songs. I'm not Christian, but there are a few traditional/religious numbers in there anyway just because I like to listen to them/sing them! :)

1)  Fairytale of New York


Saturday 20 December 2014

Release Day & Giveaway: A Likely Story M/M Anthology (featuring 'A Whale of a Time' by Asta Idonea)

Today is the release day of M/M anthology A Likely Story. This collection features a range of delightful tales, including my very own piece 'A Whale of a Time' (writing as Asta Idonea). Read on to find out more about this enjoyable new read - just in time for Christmas!

Suspend rational thought.

Leave logic at the door.

Be ready to roll your eyes and pick your jaw up from your lap.

The tales in A Likely Story don’t let truth get in the way of telling a good yarn.

They might push your buttons or make you laugh.

They may make you scoff or spit out your coffee.

You might even scratch your head in disbelief.

Whatever your reaction, the one thing they are guaranteed to do is entertain you!

Friday 19 December 2014

Book Review: The Age of the Vikings by Anders Winroth

Title: The Age of the Vikings
Author: Anders Winroth
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Publication Date: September 2014
Pages: 320
Format: Hardback
Genre: History
Source: Birthday Gift


Tuesday 16 December 2014

Tuesday Top Ten: Historical Periods and Personnages

I am a huge history buff and in this weeks' top ten, I wanted to share my favourite periods and historical figures with you. It's a fairly eclectic mix.

1)   Robespierre
2)   Elisabeth (Sissi) of Austria
3)   The French Revolution
4)   Anglo-Saxon/Viking Era England
5)   The Napoleonic Era
6)   Napoleon
7)   The Tudor Period
8)   The Regency (England early-mid 19th Century)
9)   1920s
10) Ancient Egypt

Monday 15 December 2014

Book Review: Gods & Worshippers in the Viking & Germanic World by Thor Ewing

Title: Gods & Worshippers in the Viking & Germanic World
Author: Thor Ewing
Publisher: History Press

Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 160
Format: Paperback
Genre: History / Myth
Source: Birthday Gift


Book Review: Cannonbridge by Jonathan Barnes

Title: Cannonbridge
Author: Jonathan Barnes
Publisher: Solaris

Publication Date: 1 February 2015
Pages: 273
Format: E-Book - PDF
Genre: Fiction
Source: ARC via NetGalley


Sunday 14 December 2014

Wayward Ink Publishing: 12 Days of Christmas Sale

I am thrilled to tell you all about the Christmas Sale currently underway at Wayward Ink Publishing. If you are looking for a last minute gift for an M/M reader, this is the place for you. Don't forget to check out the Stranded  anthology, and the soon-to-be-released A Likely Story anthology, both of which feature my own works, writing under the alternate pen name, Asta Idonea.

Merry Xmas Everyone!

http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Book Review: The Idiot by Dostoevsky

Title: The Idiot
Author: Dostoevsky
Publication Date: 1869
Pages: 506
Format: E-Book - EPUB
Genre: Fiction
Source: Gift

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Tuesday Top Ten: Modern Classics

Today's top ten is Modern Classics - anything from 1900 onwards....

1)   Ulysses - James Joyce
2)   The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera
3)   Metamorphoses - Franz Kafka
4)   Embers - Sándor Márai
5)   The Master & Margarita - Mikhail Bulgakov
6)   Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
7)   High Rise - J. G. Ballard
8)   Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami
9)   Kristin Lavransdatter - Sigrid Undset
10) Of Human Bondage - Somerset Maugham

Saturday 6 December 2014

Book Trailer: A Likely Story M/M Anthology

And here is the newly revealed book trailer for the M/M anthology A Likely Story, which features my short story. 'A Whale of a Time' (writing as Asta Idonea).


Cover Reveal: A Likely Story (featuring 'A Whale of a Time' by Asta Idonea)

Good morning one and all, today is the cover reveal for the forthcoming M/M anthology A Likely Story. This anthology features my own short story 'A Whale of a Time', writing under my alternate pen name, Asta Idonea. The book releases in e-book and print formats on 19 December 2014, so I will have more news for you then. In the meantime, enjoy....


Tuesday 2 December 2014

Top Ten Tuesday - Photographers

Today's Top Ten list is of my favourite photographers. I am a keen amateur photographer myself when I get the chance and I love some of the stunning images you can create with a camera.

1)   Jan Saudek
2)   Glen Dealtry (Glen photographed my wedding in 2011!)
3)   Andy Gotts
4)   Isac Goulart
5)   Samuel Giudice
6)   Ian Derry
7)   David Titlow
8)   Ansel Adams
9)   Anne Geddes
10) Brassaï

Monday 1 December 2014

Sketching: King Harry (Prince Hal # 3)


A sketch of Tom Hiddleston as Prince Hal in The Hollow Crown (Henry IV Part II)

This is the third and final drawing in my Prince Hal series.

Drawn over approx. 8 hours with a 2B pencil.