Autumn waves at Ramsgate beach

We’re at that time of year when some of the seaweeds are dying back and we see their detritus floating in the water.

20170908_123853~shrink

I just added a new short video from 8th Sept of Autumn waves breaking at Ramsgate beach to my YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/j8rHOYHe0Ww

The tideline looked almost black with all the red and green seaweeds and other organics it was holding. There was also a prominent white film of fats, scales and algae (alive/dead) that reavealed the small-scale wave patterns superimposed on the larger wave movements.

It’s wonderful to see this part of Nature, with the Summer’s growth now returning to the water as nutrients to help support the next cycle of growth – amazing!

New YouTube vlog about the writing of the Brexit Conspiracy-Thrillers…

I’ve added a video blog about the writing of my new series of Brexit Conspiracy-Thrillers to my YouTube channel. In this first episode I introduce the post-Brexit social-economic background to the books: take a look at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3qzA5TEe0w

TitleCard

The stories begin just a few years after a very hard BREXIT. The EU has collectively decided to punish the UK for leaving, and the economic consequences have been very harsh. Full-blown revolution is becoming possible as the British people begin to blame ‘Europe’ for their suffering. With other nation states seeking their own advantages from this situation the UK lurches politically to the right, threatening to leave NATO and pursue its own defence policies. Further economic pressure from France causes the UK to seize territory in the Nord-Pas-De-Calais area, leaving Europe teetering on the edge of a hot war.

This situation is the latest manifestation of a global conspiracy that began in the Second World War and is now threatening a monstrous regional bio-terrorism attack.

This is the enviroment that Lissa Blackwood and Craig Ballard, two of the UK’s top SIG operatives, will step into, in their race against time to stop the attacks and save the lives of millions.

‘This Is Your Revolution’

I really enjoyed offering my poem ‘This Is Your Revolution’ for criticism and feedback at the August meeting of the Inspirations Writers’ Group – this was the first time that I’ve shared a poem, in person, in public, and it was quite an experience. I did not expect to feel so vulnerable when reading it out!

I still don’t think I’ve captured all the anger in these words, but a reading of the poem is now up on my YouTube channel…

https://youtu.be/PkVnQCpyeBoI

Title~4506525748_cca66a9293_b

Started my next project: A 3-book series of Conspiracy-Thrillers based in the post-BREXIT world…

I haven’t blogged for a few months because I’ve been very busy preparing to write my next book, which will be the first in a 3-book series of Conspiracy-Thrillers based in the post-BREXIT world…

After months of researching, brain-storming, mind-mapping, plotting and character development, I’m now really excited to have started the writing – the first 1500 words of Chapter 1, Scene 1 have been laid down!!

Here’s a picture of me having a coffee in August, working on my characters…

Writing~Costa~050817

‘Dead Snow’ is now getting great reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon!

Here is some of the feedback I’m getting about the book:

“… This novel is intriguing. It’s about a future dystopia and the race to change it. Its definitely a book for techies, who will enjoy the web-based plot elements.”

“… Tightly-plotted fast-paced hard SF thriller… pulls the reader forwards at a fast pace… I enjoyed this, and finished it in a single sitting. Let’s have another one soon please, Mr Russell!”

“… If you liked the Matrix, you will love this book. You only have to read the 1st chapter to get hooked. I couldn’t put it down. Really well written & original.”

Aerial view of glacier. Southern Alps, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.

I also received this feedback by email from an ARC reader:

“… The story is adventurous, starting out in the slums surrounding the Ramsgate ‘Plex … and ending eventually in the Antarctic tundra… the story reveals the author’s strong interest in cold geo-scapes; his enthusiasm shines through in the creation of a deeply inhospitable terrain with which the characters interact appropriately. I felt the impulse to reach for a jumper and a mug of something hot to drink frequently.

Dead Snow reveals the author’s scope of imagination and explores some truly fantastic ideas. I really felt a passion for the sci-fi genre within the words and a sense of joy in the freedom to create. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to any sci-fi aficionado.”

I’m really proud of the feedback and pleased that the book is slowly finding an audience. I’m now starting an online marketing push to share the reviews and hopefully drive more sales!

‘Dead Snow’ is now published in paperback and on the Amazon kindle…

I’m really excited to have at last reached the launch day for ‘Dead Snow’!

Aerial view of glacier. Southern Alps, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.

The paperback and e-book are now published on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com, and the paperback is also available from my US CreateSpace store. Initial feedback from people who received an advance readers’ copy has been good, and I’m hoping that will translate into some good reviews on Amazon.

It has been a lot of fun writing and publishing this novel. I enjoyed seeing Karen Torsen’s story play out through my keyboard and it was very satisfying to return to the world of the mega-plex. There is plenty of potential for future stories in that world!

Ordering ‘Dead Snow’:

You can buy the Kindle e-book from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
The paperback is available on Amazon UK, Amazon.com, or my US CreateSpace store