This week I submitted my tax return. Each year I always check what expenses I can or cannot claim against my writing income in case there have been changes. The following summary only applies to those based in Australia. If you live elsewhere check with your own tax authority or authorised tax agent. To claim […]

My reading material this year has largely been from the same author, who shall remain nameless, after being presented with a box containing many of his best works. I’ve reached saturation point. Different titles. Characters with different names who behave the same. Same structure and formula. Boredom has crept in. That’s because the books were […]

This week I want to pay tribute to those readers who take the time to write reviews. Good or bad, their comments provide useful feedback to writers and help us improve. This week I was sent a link to this fabulous review of Futuristic Canada, an anthology containing my short story “Her Last Walk.” The review […]

This week, in addition to the ongoing Mary Kelly research, I have been busy revising a couple of fiction pieces. Revision is an important part of a writer’s workload. Sometimes it is polishing drafts until they are ready for submission and sometimes it is making changes to a rejected piece so that it can be […]

This week writing took a back seat due to a family holiday at Ayres Rock. It was refreshing not to use the computer whilst seeking inspiration from the surroundings. Ian Fleming said that he never wrote about a place that he hadn’t visited, and this familiarity adds a touch of veracity to otherwise implausible plots. […]

This week I’m pleased to announce the publication of Futuristic Canada, an anthology of speculative fiction featuring my story, Her Last Walk. To celebrate Canada Day the publishers, Dark Helix Press, are giving away free electronic copies via Amazon between 1 and 5 July. Get yours here and please consider leaving a review. I have […]

After receiving several requests, I have decided to reinstate my weekly blog. I hope to use it as an opportunity to publicise my own work and raise issues of interests to other writers and readers. All comments and feedback are welcomed. As some of you know my main project is a full-length book describing attempts […]

This will be the last of my regular weekly blogs. Two years ago, I started blogging to promote myself and my writing. Every Friday or Saturday, with a couple of holiday exceptions, I added a short post. Most were nothing to do with creative writing, covering current affairs, business development and other diverse topics.  I […]

Millionaire Roxy Jacenko recently said that lazy and entitled Australians put work/life balance before their career. She is living proof of her philosophy that hard work brings success. However, there are some who apply this philosophy only to their job and not to their careers. Each organisation has people who come in early, finish late, […]