Manic...

is life at the moment. The infamous day job is absorbing time like a sponge, the new story, Amunet (now 25k words and growing fast) is doing its best to soak up whatever is left, and some scumbag tried to break into my house. Putting the damage right is taking what little time I have left spare, so I suppose the little git did manage to steal something.

But on the back of that I got a really nice surprise. The police have been brilliant. I was expecting a crime number and little else, but we had a SOCO sweeping for prints in 3 hours, beat bobbies an hour behind that (on an england football night, too). Then the next day the PCSO's were doing door to door on my street and streets either side, and dropped in on the missus to make sure she was all right. To top it all off, we got a call from victim support, asking us if we were OK and was there any help we needed.

And all for an attempted break in. I am impressed, and will be writing to the appropriate senior officer to say so. Its good to have your stereotypes challenged occasionally

Cyrus Darian rides again

Woohoo - I just heard the new Cyrus Darian novel (by Raven Dane) is going to be out in September. Apparently, its going to be launched at the huge Steampunk event 'The Asylum'

I love reading Steampunk. I'd love to get involved in the whole scene, but I dont have the stones (or the shape) to wear the costumery.

For those of you that haven't read the first book, Cyrus Darian and the Technomicron, here's a link. I can best describe it as a bit of Moriarty, plus Dorian Grey out of 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen', in a Steampunk universe and seasoned lightly with a touch of salacious sexuality ambiguity. Nothing sordid, and in the best possible taste. Worth a read, right after you finish Aphrodite's Dawn (which you are going to buy, aren't you).

Another 5* Review for Aphrodite's Dawn

Pop over to Amazon and take a look here, and while you're there why not buy a copy for yourself ;)

...and awaaaaay we go...

So, the battle of the outlines is over and the winner is, as usual, a rank outsider. Out with thoughts of adult SF/Horror, in with a delightful YA morsel (currently titles 'Amunet') with a little of something for everybody and an alternate universe to get things started. Can you imagine where we might be if Henry VIII had been a staunch patron of the sciences and the usurper Elizabeth had never been able to topple Mary and he son from the throne? Roll forward 500 years and see what you get.
Already 5000 words in and going strong. It would be just my luck to sell something that needs editing in about a week, just as I really get my momentum up. Not that I'd be complaining, of course. I'm just sayin'.....