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September 3, 2022
September brings a major milestone
Hello again, Reader.
We're into September, traditionally the start of harvest season. Living in the countryside as I do, we're already seeing more tractors and associated equipment pootling along the narrow lanes - and trust me, meeting a combine harvester coming the other way is an experience you don't want! It's also (I am reliably informed) National Honey Month in the US. This is because the honey collection season ends around now, another marker of the changing seasons. Did you know I wrote a bee-related story? It was featured in the "London Reader" magazine, but you can read it here for free: markhoodauthor.com
I'm also sharing some more of the Writing Tournament entries - read by other authors this time! Lynne and Jan do an excellent job reading out some more of the stories, and I definitely recommend you check out the channel. The long list of selected entries will be revealed in a few days - and the short list very soon after that. I should have full details in the next newsletter. I'm very proud to be associated with the contest, and am still amazed by the quality of writing by the young entrants.
How do you feel about the approach of autumn? I love it, personally, those crisp mornings and the smell of leaves are some of my favourite things. Or are you in the Southern hemisphere, and gearing up for spring? Relish those longer days, we're already noticing it getting darker earlier...
Space News
Giant Map Reveals Ancient Traces of Water on Mars Everywhere We Look
We've long known that water exists on Mars, and that it used to flow freely over the surface. This recent study has revealed that it was in fact much more common than we previously thought! In fact, pretty much anywhere you choose to look on the surface, you'll find evidence of ancient water.
My favourite part of this though, is that the planetary scientist leading the study is called John Carter. Whether a coincidence or nominative determinism at work, that tickles me.
Source: sciencealert.com
Other Books To Check Out
I've gathered a few great books from independent authors like me, I hope you'll check them out.
And let me know if you have any books to recommend! I'm particularly interested in indie authors, but anything you've read and loved would be awesome.
UBL
Ben Roberts hears voices...alien voices.
When word of his abilities spreads through the galactic grapevine, Ben ranks number one on an A.I.'s most wanted list to become their cybernated slave. A bleak prospect, but what if they offered him everything he ever dreamed of in exchange?
Elemental Dragons
Free
Not every dragon is born with a voice
Read about four dragons who face difficult decisions and tough times ahead, but refuse to lie down and accept their fate. A fantasy story collection with dragons as the main characters.
Review Copy
Ancient machine intelligences. Resurrected species with no memories of the past. Creatures composed of gravity strings. What is hidden in the void between galaxies?
Science Fiction September!
If you're a subscriber to Kindle Unlimited, I've got a great selection of SciFi books for you to choose from this month. Through the entire month of September the books on this list are utterly free to KU subscribers, so you can try out some new authors with absolutely zero risk.
Don't have KU? Curious about it? You can sign up here for two free months, and if it's not for you then you can cancel even before they ask you to pay! amzn.to
Strange News
The Atlantis of Wales
I've been diving into Welsh legends recently, and one that stuck with me was the 13th Century tale of Cantre'r Gwaelod, a lost land that sank into Cardigan Bay probably hundreds of years before that. Now it's no surprise that most cultures have a flood myth, stories of such an event would be told and retold down the ages and would expand with the telling. But what was surprising was finding a map that appeared to show islands. Of course, medieval maps were never all that accurate (although this was one of the best) and there's nothing to stop a prankster or a true believer from penciling in something that didn't actually exist. But nevertheless this is an intriguing discovery. There is other evidence to suggest that this isn't just wishful thinking, so have a read - I certainly can't resist the idea that there's a lost land so very close to home.
Map of the Welsh coast showing additional islands that do not exist today.
Source: BBC News
Miscellany
Apollo in 3D
The Apollo missions pushed scientific and technical understanding to their limits, so perhaps I should not have been surprised that they also embraced some unusual photographic techniques also. This is a lovely selection of 3D images from the Apollo 15 mission (the first one with the rover) which offer what can only be described as a new perspective on the moon. And I'm sorry for the pun.
Source: astronomy.com
Mystery at Heathrow
After the pandemic restrictions began to lift, pilots and crew were feeling as though their skills might have become rusty. As such, they were taking extra precautions to keep us all safe. However, there was a spate of aborted take-offs from Heathrow over a few days which set alarm bells ringing. The reason was extraordinary - bees.
Source: fearoflanding.com
Why we need fairies
Any book that reads like a Fairy Tale had better be aimed at children, or at least that seems to be the prevailing wisdom. This article argues that not only is this doing the genre a disservice, but that adults are missing out on a sense of wonder that comes from exploring the ideas of magic.
Source: UnHerd
And Finally
I mentioned a milestone in the subject line, and you might have already seen my 'interim' newsletter last weekend and know what it's about. But in case you missed it...
I'm getting close to 1,000 days of consecutive writing. That's right, I've written more than 200 words every day, without fail, for almost 3 years. And the 1,000th day will be September 6th!
And so I feel I should celebrate. And what better way to celebrate writing success, than giving away some of my writing?
I'll tell you. It's giving away all of my writing.
Everything I've published so far, in real physical paperbacks you can hold and sniff (if you want, I won't judge). And I'll sign them, personalise them however you wish, and ship them anywhere in the world.
And the best part is - if you're reading this, you're already entered into the draw!
Feel free to share the entry page https://markhoodauthor.com/giveaway with anyone you think might also like a chance of winning, and who knows, you could be walking away with a fistful of books!
Source: markhoodauthor.com