Tykewriter Digest, January 2025
The latest quarterly news and writings from journalist and SFF author Mark Cantrell
WELCOME to my latest quarterly author newsletter, Tykewriter Digest, where I share news about my writing endeavours, along with links to work published in the previous three months.
But first, Happy New Year!
Running a little late with this newsletter, I must admit, but if in doubt blame the cat. That's my excuse and I am sticking to it, even if it is not entirely (at all) the moggy's fault.
A few days ago, I welcomed a new addition to the author's den. The feline used to belong to a friend of my niece, but she wasn't able to look after it any more, so after some persuasion (not that much, really) I agreed to take the cat in.
Stormie, as she's called, is a bit of a nervy cat, so she's spent a lot of her time hiding under the furniture since she arrived. Give her time. She's acclimatising to a change of scene and a new environment, not to mention my ugly mug. We're both getting used to each other, but she's slowly coming out of her shell.
Eventually, I might even be able to take a photo or two of my new companion, and introduce her properly.
Thanks for reading.
Latest News
Sky's the limit
IN November I bit the bullet and and turned to Bluesky.
Like a lot of people, I was increasingly finding it a drag. The reasons are many – you can probably guess a few – but I'm not feeling inclined to go into them here. That's an entire essay in the making; shudder.
Anyway, you can find me at man0words.bsky.social.
My presence on Twitter hasn't entirely vanished. For one thing, I still use it for work, but I am also still maintaining a skeletal presence for my own creative endeavours.
Fiction Focus
A Walk In The Woods
An allegorical tale of humanity's depredation of nature; when a weary woodsman encounters a sick old woman in the heart of the forest, he comes to realise there's another use for his axe...
Fiction | 29 June 2024
Read this story on Tome of an Obscure Scribbler.
Writing From Elsewhere
Make January a wet one
Swimmers in Scotland are being asked to dive in and make a splash in support of a life-changing hydrotherapy pool
Charity | 6 January 2025
Read this story on Mark Cantrell, Author.
Forest restoration demands more than a simple ‘land grab’
New research from Manchester University seeks to define the challenges of restoring woodland in all its natural bounty
Nature | 16 December 2024
Read this story on Mark Cantrell, Author.
Spoon offers flavour for malnourished dementia patients
Scientists are developing a high-tech spoon designed to enhance food flavour for patients experiencing a loss of taste
Health | 4 November 2024
Read this story on Mark Cantrell, Author.
From the Archives
Time waits for no morlock
In the deep shade, where evil lurks, time is all rather relative, so let's ponder its nature in this dark urban fantasy
Explore My Worlds | Silas Morlock | 24 November 2023
Read the story on Tome of an Obscure Scribbler.
All working class writers want is a chance to shine
A pioneering programme co-founded by actor Michael Sheen to champion working class writers is back to challenge the bastions of literary privilege
News & Features | 12 January 2024
Read this story on Tome of an Obscure Scribbler.
“She’ll feed you to the crows, my friend”
In a cafe in downtown Bradford, Karel Ludek talks about his unlikely relationship with the Bone Diva herself, Mercy de la Morte. Sip slowly, it’s not all tea and biscuits…
Blog | Forever Mercy | 14 February 2023
Read this story of Mark Cantrell, Author.
About the Author
Mark Cantrell is a UK-based writer and journalist. In 2020 he took a career hiatus to care for an elderly parent with dementia, but he's back in the saddle working once more as a journalist. Meanwhile, he continues to write and chase the literary dream. He is the author of two novels – Citizen Zero (2017) and Silas Morlock (2013) – both published by indie press, Inspired Quill. Mark was born and bred in West Yorkshire, but these days lives in Staffordshire.
Literary Links
Aside from his official website, Mark also maintains a presence on Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, and Bookshop UK.
Catch him on Twitter @Man0Words. You can also find him under the same handle on Bluesky.
Read more writing on sister Substack, outHouse.
Buy me a coffee?
Tome of an Obscure Scribbler is a reader supported publication. Subscribe to get new stories emailed direct to your inbox as and when they appear. You'll also enjoy full access to the 'back catalogue' of previously published posts.
In the meantime, if you'd care to further support an independent author and journalist, you can always visit my KoFi page and make a small donation. A few coins in the 'tip jar' help pay my way to more writing. Much obliged!
MC