Tykewriter Digest, October 2024
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.
Much as I dislike writing about myself (I prefer to hide behind the work), I'm feeling inclined to share that I became a great uncle last month. Talk about being made to feel old!
Now, in my mind, I've always been a great uncle, although I'm sure my niece might raise an eyebrow at the claim. Well, as a child, she did once nickname me 'Uncle Grumpy'. I think she meant it in good humour though. Er...
Anyway, she's become a mum to a beautiful baby girl, and granted the old grouch (me) the opportunity to be a bad influence; 'groom' the little one as my literary executor some day, too. We could do with another bookworm in the family.
Meanwhile, I continue to plug away with my next novel, Forever Mercy. It's a long haul, especially since I chose to write the world building in a way that creates a library of future blog posts to support the book.
It's really giving me a feel for the novel and its characters, but it's not exactly helping drive the plot. That's okay, though. In fact, I'd say it's a good thing. The story will take care of itself once I begin to write it. For now, I am shaping the vessel that holds the tale.
I think, down the line once I have eventually finished the novel, this extra work will prove it's worth; even if does sometimes seem a little nuts right now.
Thanks for reading.
Fiction Focus
It's a Long Road to Mercy's End
Novel Extract: England is tearing itself apart in a bitter civil war; a young girl and her mother are on the road, seeking haven from the fighting
Fiction | 30 March 2024
Red this story on Tome of an Obscure Scribbler.
Writing From Elsewhere
Mosaic pays a tribute to a city as river
In a River of a Thousand Streams by artist and designer Adam Nathaniel Furman unveiled at London Bridge Station
Art | 23 September 2024
Read this story on Mark Cantrell, Author.
City centre vandalism finds itself out of the picture
Outdoor exhibition of photographic art opens in Edinburgh’s city centre vandalism hotspots
Art | 26 August 2024
Read this story on Mark Cantrell, Author.
Our earliest ancestor had to put up with viruses too
Scientists have peered into the deepest reaches of time to fathom fresh insights into the most ancient progenitor of life today
Science | 12 August 2024
Read this story on Mark Cantrell, Author.
Art in Soho is coming home
Soho Housing, London, has opened its own art gallery to help raise revenue to invest in its residential portfolio
Art | 15 July 2024
Read this story on Mark Cantrell, Author.
Prototype screen display promises to get ‘touchy feely’ with users
Scientists are working on a technology that brings a whole new meaning to ‘touch screen’
Science | 1 July 2024
Read this story on Mark Cantrell, Author.
From the Archives
Wasn’t Ash just an electric fall guy?
When it comes to the murderous behaviour of our fictional AI creations, the real villain is often far too human
Essay & Comment | 23 February 2024
Read the story on Tome of an Obscure Scribbler.
An overdose of criticality
That damned internal critic never fails to demand a journalistic 'right-first-time' approach to creative writing; it can be sorely testing...
Writers' Life | 26 January 2024
Read this story on Tome of an Obscure Scribbler.
Dare you venture where Bradbury feared to tread?
Silas Morlock presents a dark story of redemption in homage to the power of literature
Explore My Worlds | 26 April 2024
Read this story on Tome of an Obscure Scribbler.
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 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, Smashwords, Amazon, Facebook, and Bookshop UK.
Catch him on Twitter @Man0Words.
Read more writing on sister Substack, outHouse.
Buy me a coffee?
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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