Keith's March Newsletter

Hi Folks

A day late with this one, again. I was just too knackered yesterday for reasons that will be come apparent to write it on the 31st as usual so here we are.

I’m a bit knackered now to be honest, I just got in from work, but as I have some time sensitive information here we go.

Sit On It

The main reason I’m so knackered at the moment, apart from work, is I’ve been spending all my days building furniture. Seriously, it’s taken me over a week of work spread out between shifts to kit my flat out and I’m still not done. I’ve got a TV stand coming tomorrow, but then I’ll be more or less finished, just a few bits and bobs left to get.

Yesterday I finally got some shelves and was able to get my books out of boxes, which has been a long time coming.

I haven’t had shelves in so long I forgot what books I have! Feels so good to have them on display again. Really makes a house a home, know what I mean?

I also have somewhere to read said books when the sun finally comes out. Got an egg chair on my balcony and it is glorious!

News From The Steam Factory

Now to the time sensitive news.

Hopefully you all got an email from me about the Magic Noir Story Bundle? It’s been running this month (and going quite well I might add) but sadly it is now coming to an end. Tomorrow will be your last chance to get in on the action and get fourteen awesome books for just $35 (I don’t know what this is in GBP).

Now I haven’t had a chance to read all the books yet, but I can tell you that at least three of them are worth the thirty-five bucks alone (not including Dexter & Sinister) never mind all the rest. I really do think it’s great value for money. If you’re even thinking about it you should go for it, because after tomorrow it’ll be gone!

Writing-wise this month I’ve been finishing off the edits on In The Valley Of The Wind so I could get that off to Jess, my editor. That’s all done so now I get to wait with baited breath to see what she makes of it. Actually I’ve found the best way to deal with stuff like this is to forget it’s even out there (this is where having object impernanence comes in really handy) and to get on with my life.

I will be doing a little work on the book while I wait though. I’ve done a nine page brief for the cover design which I need to send off to the illustrator I want to work on it. I hope she’s available (and affordable). She’s done some awesome covers in the past and I think she’d be great for this.

My only other bit of writing news for now, other than the fact that the solarpunk anthology is progressing, is that I’ve been invited to be part of a local authors event at Urmston library in June. I’ll have a table there selling books and if they want me to do anything else like a reading I’ll be up for that too. The details are still being worked on, but for now it’s at least been announced.

I should have more details on that, and on the anthology, in April’s newsletter.

When I’m Not Writing

With work and furniture building I’ve not been doing much new. Still reading The Fifth Season, which is very good, and doing more Dimension 20 rewatches. When life gets hard it really is my comfort watch.

Mostly I’ve been planning things to do. I’ve got a ticket to see Sigur Ros again in August in Edinburgh, with a full orchestra again, and as excited as I am about that I’m as excited about seeing some ballet at The Lowry in June.

I saw the trailer on social media and thought it looked fantastic. And I love the music too. I’m 100% buying the album no matter what.

I booked the tickets before I knew about the library event. It’s on the same day, but that’s not going to stop me from doing both. I just might fall asleep during the intermission though lol. Seriously though I can’t wait. It looks like it’ll be a hell of a show.

It’s on a few places so if you like what you see why not give it a go!

And that’s it for now. I do have more book and other creative things to share, like the possibility that I might be doing something at the British Fantasy Society convention in Glasgow in October, or that I might be taking Airship Armada to The Asylum Festival in August, but those are both big maybes for now. I will be at both, but whether as an exhibitor, panelist, or just as an attendee has yet to be decided. I make my offers, I shoot my shot, and if they’re interested they say yes. For now I’ve got enough on my plate with a book coming out, a table at an event to prepare for, and my plans for Airship Aramada to lock down. There’s always something to do, and I seem to be doing a little bit of everything, lol.

Take care one and all. Have a good April and I’ll see you at the other end.

Toodle-pip for now.

Keith