The Last Post

This is the last post on my old Blogger-powered website and blog. It's served me well for quite a few years, but I decided it was time to move on to greater things. My super new Wordpress-powered site is over at simonkewin.co.uk, with the blog at simonkewin.co.uk/blog.

Come on over and join the fun!

BristolCon

So, had a great time at BristolCon - a very friendly and well put-together sci/fi and fantasy con. I bought some books, I met some great people, I learned some things, I enjoyed the free coffee. Plus, the panel I was on went very well: 30-40 people gathered to hear me, Jasper Fforde, Anna Stephens and Jacey Bedford talk about the trials and tribulations of becoming a published author.

It was scary, it was fun. Can't wait to do it all again...

New website coming soon. Ish.

Don't tell this web site, but I've decided the time has come to create a swanky new web site to support my ongoing adventures in fictionland. It's going to be time to say good bye to Blogger after quite a few years and switch to a new Wordpress-based site. I already have hosting and a neat writers' theme sorted out - just need to find some time to get everything set up. This site has served me well, and I'll keep it running I'm sure, but it's time to create something more professional. Plus, it will give me a chance to learn some PHP and other LAMP stack malarkey. And if you're not sure what that means, stay tuned!

More news as it happens...

BristolCon

Only a week and a half or so and I'll be attending my first BristolCon, Bristol's science fiction and fantasy convention. I seem to be on a panel, too, taking about becoming a published author. So that's exciting. And terrifying.

Elements of Untethered Realms available

Now available from Untethered Realms: Elements of Untethered Realms.

Enter our mysterious realms where the stories are as varied and rich as the types of soil on this and other planets. Enchanted forests are knotted with roots and vines. Dreaded paths take us through strange, unexplored places.

Investigate new worlds and houses frequented by ghosts. Come across witches and wizards and an assassin tasked to kill Death.

Meet hot robots, hungry winds, and the goddess of chaos. Explore alien lands, purgatorial realms, and a shocking place where people bury the living with their dead.

Encounter paranormal detectives, imprisoned dragons, dark demons, cursed jewels, and handsome prophets. Search shifting worlds trapped in mirrors and a disturbing future where a president aims to rid the world of Otherkind.

Experience a haunted journey on a riverboat, water sprites borne of pennies, preternatural creatures, ancient serpents, and the Lady of the Lake who lurks in dark waters.

From USA Today bestselling and popular science fiction and fantasy authors comes Elements of Untethered Realms, a supernatural compilation of the anthologies Twisted Earths, Mayhem in the Air, Ghosts of Fire, and Spirits in the Water. These forty thrilling tales feature authors Angela Brown, Jeff Chapman, Cathrina Constantine, Julie Flanders, River Fairchild, Gwen Gardner, Misha/M. Gerrick, Meradeth Houston, Graeme Ing, Simon Kewin, M. Pax, Christine Rains, Cherie Reich, and Catherine Stine.

Amazon | Kobo | Apple | Nook | Google | Goodreads

Hedge Witch and other great free books!

Hedge Witch is currently available as a free download as part of the following mighty fine promotions:

Witches exploring magical realms. Space marines finding the edge of the galaxy. No matter where they are, you can get these heroines onto your ereader for a limited time! Find out more and grab the books here.

Searching for your next favorite YA fantasy story? Look no further! These bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new books. Available for free for a limited time here.


Both promotions are only running for a limited time, so be sure to download the books while you can!

Looking for Beta Readers

Interested in being a beta reader for my new detective/urban fantasy novel?

The book follows the adventures of Danesh Shahzan, an operative in the Office of the Witchfinder General, an arm of the British government dedicated to protecting the public from all manner of supernatural threats.

Here's the working blurb for the book:


Danesh is an acolyte in the Office of the Witchfinder General, a shadowy arm of the British government fighting threats to the realm from the magical and the unnatural.

When a murder takes place in Cardiff, the victim’s eyes removed but nothing else taken from him, Danesh and his colleagues are called in to help. It soon becomes clear the killings are the work of magical forces. Danesh is thrown into the pursuit of the killers.

But then he learns something about himself that he can never admit to the people he works with…


The novel is around 90K long. I'm still working on it and plan to have a completed draft ready to go by mid-September 2018. I’m looking for honest, critical feedback which I’ll use to guide my final revision prior to publication or submission of the novel to agents. All selected beta readers will receive a free digital copy of the draft manuscript, along with an accompanying questionnaire (which won't be too long, I promise). Completed questionnaires will be due 30 days later.

All readers who complete the questionnaire by the deadline will be credited by name in the acknowledgements section of the book – if they so wish – of the final published book.

Interested? The sign-up form is here.

Many thanks!