Lee J. Russell

‘All About Eve’ – NT Live, 11/4/19

I enjoyed watching “All About Eve” livestreamed to Vue from the National Theatre last night. Based on the 1950 film and Mary Orr’s play ‘The Wisdom of Eve’, this was a gripping experience! Gillian Anderson (of ‘X-files’ fame, remember that one?) plays Margo Channing, an actress feeling the years tugging at her heels. Lily JamesContinue reading “‘All About Eve’ – NT Live, 11/4/19”

“Hellstrom’s Hive” – Frank Herbert

I’ve just enjoyed reading Frank Herbert’s 1973 novel “Hellstrom’s Hive”. Originally published (in 4 parts, I think) in Galaxy Magazine, the book is a written version of the 1971 film ‘The Hellstrom Chronicle’ directed by Walon Green (easily found on YouTube). Film-Book crossovers, and visa versa, are often unsatisfying experiences, but this novelisation by HerbertContinue reading ““Hellstrom’s Hive” – Frank Herbert”

Sci-FI author Ray Bradbury talking about love…

I just stumbled upon this wonderful quote about love from legendary sc-fi author Ray Bradbury… “The only thing you’re ever going to own in your life is your work… we belong only by doing, and we owned [things] only by doing, and we loved only by doing… if you want an interpretation of life andContinue reading “Sci-FI author Ray Bradbury talking about love…”

“Extinction Game” – Gary Gibson

There are more sci-fi books published every year than any reader could comfortably read in their lifetime. It is impossible to keep up with them all and I find myself discovering gems like Gary Gibson’s “Extinction Game” long after they were first released. ‘Extinction Game’ was first published in 2014 by Tor, but being onlyContinue reading ““Extinction Game” – Gary Gibson”

New look author website for 2019…

After a couple of weeks of “fiddling” I’ve just finished updating my website onto a modern HTML5 template. It is now using the open-source, 12-column “Reponsee” css grid from Vision Design graphic studio with an alternative menu bar. – I’m really pleased with the new look, and it will be a lot easier to maintainContinue reading “New look author website for 2019…”

“How the masters do it…”

I was recently re-reading some books in my collection to see “how the masters do it”. I totally enjoyed Matt Reilly’s fast moving and tightly plotted “Ice Station”. Then I started Clancy’s “Red Storm Rising” and got so engrossed it was hard to put down! Eventually managed to do that that last night and nowContinue reading ““How the masters do it…””

Netflix – making great stories and strongly disrupting traditional entertainment media…

Netflix has profoundly changed how we consume visual entertainment in our homes. Founded in 1997, the company has rapidly expanded from an online DVD rental store into a market-dominating internet streaming service, distributing mainstream TV programs and Movies, as well as a growing portfolio of ‘Netflix Originals’. ‘Netflix Original’ films are either produced, co-produced, orContinue reading “Netflix – making great stories and strongly disrupting traditional entertainment media…”

First Alpha-reader feedback about “Evil Eye”…

I’m just getting the first feedback from my Alpha-readers about ‘Evil Eye’. One lady told me today that it is well written, fun and moves along at a good pace, with an obvious link for a Book 2, which she would also like to read – “You should feel proud of yourself,” she said –Continue reading “First Alpha-reader feedback about “Evil Eye”…”

Hav you ever wondered how the planets formed? …

Have you ever wondered how the planets formed? Now you can see for yourself with the updates that are starting to come through from the New Horizons probe’s flyby of Ultima Thule… “We’re looking at one of the first building blocks that came together to form the planets and moons,” says Jeffrey Moore, a researchContinue reading “Hav you ever wondered how the planets formed? …”

Using a digital voice recorder and YouTube to automatically convert your spoken word into text…

My latest author vlog is now up on my YouTube channel – today I explain how you can use a digital voice recorder and YouTube to automatically convert your spoken word into text – take a look at https://youtu.be/DZnVoV3Qt0c The DVR I’m using is a Sony ICD PX370. The lavalier lapel mic is an unbrandedContinue reading “Using a digital voice recorder and YouTube to automatically convert your spoken word into text…”