Keith's July Newsletter

Hi All

Welcome to the end of July. I hope you enjoyed whatever random weather you were subjected to coz it’s only going to get crazier as the years go by.

I did plenty this month, including going to The Town That Never Was, and numerous publishing type things, so without further ado…

Never Was Almost Wasn’t (And Kinda Wasn’t In The End)

Got myself down to The Town That Never Was at Blists’s Hill this month, although I almost didn’t bother. I was so tired when I got up that morning that if I hadn’t already booked everything I’d have stayed in bed. But I had, so I didn’t, which may have been a mistake.

As you can see, my visit was very food centric. I’ll be honest, one of the things I like about going down Iron Bridge is the chippy. Their curry sauce and chips is the best!

I managed the Saturday at Blist’s Hill, wandered around, bought a few things, chatted to people, but come the Sunday I’d had enough. I got up in the morning and was wiped out. Maybe it was the walk the day before from Blist’s Hill to my hotel in Iron Bridge but I had no spoons left. I contemplated going back on day two for a few hours but just couldn’t, I was knackered, so I got a taxi to the station, booked myself a new ticket (because it was cheaper than adjusting the one I had) and went home. You’ve got to take care of yourself in this life, and sometimes taking care of yourself means going home and going to bed.

Actually it means that more often than you think, something we forget on a daily basis. Then we wonder why we get sick. Coz our bodies go ‘That’s enough for now. If you won’t take a rest I will!’

News From The Steam Factory

It’s been an unbelievably busy month here at the Steam Factory, so much so I have a list! So here, in no particular order, are the many writery things that I’ve been up to.

I’ve subbed In The Valley Of The Wind to Northodox Press. They’re the only indie I’m subbing it to so fingers crossed, but if they don’t want it I’ll publish it myself. It’d just be nice to work with them, they’re good people.

I’ve sent Odds Bodkin And The Night Mayor Of London off to a couple of agents I’d like to work with. That’s going to do it’s thing now for at least the next month or two. Maybe they’ll like it, maybe they won’t. If not I’ll cast an even wider net, but for now two agents is fine. Quality before quantity.

I’ve sent a short called The Wendigo In The Woods off for possible inclusion in a folk horror anthology that’s coming out. Hopefully they like it as it’s a story that works on a number of levels and I’d like it to be seen.

I’ve had back story edits for Weather Station 451, my short that’s going to be included in a solrapunk anthology that’s coming out (if all goes well). A few changes have to be made but nothing too tricky. Hopefully I can do those this month and get it back to them before the end of August.

I’ve been invited to be part of a ‘magic noir’ book bundle which looks interesting. They want to include Dexter & Sinister which would be a boost for the book and the series. It would come out next year which would coincide with book three coming out. Fingers crossed it all goes as planned. Could be really good for me.

And finally, speaking of book three, I’m back to writing Attack Mars!! finally. It’s taken a little to get going but I’m back in the swing of things now. The words are flowing and they’re pretty good. I’m even incorporating more description as per my Brandon Sanderson revelations last month, which is working out really well. I think this one is going to be a real belter.

When I’m Not Writing

The second book in her Wayfarer’s series, A Closed And Common Orbit by Becky Chambers is kind of a sequel to A Long Way To A Small Angry Planet but also very much not. It follows Lovey, the ship AI that was removed at the end of book one and put into a humanoid body, documenting their attempts to learn what it is to be ‘human’ and to assimilate into society as a whole.

I will confess to some mild disappointment with the subject matter of this story. I bought book two to continue reading about the characters I had come to know and love. However it was just mild disappointment because of course I was introduced to a whole new set of people to become attached to, and another interesting story to enjoy.

Becky Chambers is excellent at writing people (and by that I mean aliens as well). She makes her stories interesting without relying on fast paced action and big events to give them meaning. If you’re looking for heartfelt sci fi with depth I recommend giving one of her books a go.

I’ll sign off by encouraging you to check out my latest Awkward Authors Interview. This time it was the turn of Helen Whistberry, who as well as being an author is an excellent illustrator as well. Click on the link to see just how excellent. You won’t be didsappointed.

These are crazy times. The right are trying to force their way into people’s lives, sticking their noses in where they’re not wanted and trying to shove their puritanical view of the world down our throats. It can feel overwhelming at times, but I guarantee you there’s far more of us than their is of them. Do what you can to stand in their way, and if all you can do is not give up hope then do that instead.

It can seem like a lot, it can seem inevitable, because that’s how they want it to seem. It’s all smoke and mirrors. The Berlin Wall was permanent and inevitable until one day it all came tumbling down. Don’t give up, don’t surrender. Keep fighting, because together we can beat this thing, and together we will beat this thing.

Toodle-pip for now.

Keith