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October 15, 2022
'I love the whooshing sound as they go by.'
Hello again, Reader.
I missed a deadline. It was a self-imposed one, so at least I've not let anyone down (except myself) but it still stings a little. I'm staying positive though: the reason I missed it was that the story I am writing has expanded beyond my outline, and needed more time to tell it properly. So it'll be stronger, longer, and better than I had previously expected. And later, unavoidably. The advantage of being an independant author is that I don't cause a knock-on effect with a publishing company or marketing team having to rejig their plans for the launch. The disadvantage is that I don't have a team making plans for launch, it's just me. And it's also you. Yes, by reading this newsletter you're a part of the team! Your emails are always gratefully received, and your excitement over my writing is what keeps me going when things get a little trickier, like right now. But don't worry, the next in the War of the Worlds series is still under way, and I am also exploring a new writing opportunity that I can't say too much about just yet. How do you deal with setbacks, large or small? Are you a positive person who can just knuckle down, regroup and carry on? Or do you need time to dwell on the problem before you can get back to work? I'd love to know!
I'm delighted to be able to tell you that the Writing Tournament I was judging for has now finished, and the winners have been announced! As I mentioned before, there were some very strong entries this year, and congratulations to all who took part. I'm very proud to have been involved, and will hopefully be able to take part in the next one too.
Space News
Nasas Insight Hears Its First Meteoroid Impacts on Mars
NASA's InSight lander has detected seismic waves from four space rocks that crashed on Mars in 2020 and 2021. Not only do these represent the first impacts detected by the spacecraft's seismometer since InSight touched down on the Red Planet in 2018, it also marks the first time seismic and acoustic waves from an impact have been detected on Mars.
Craters formed by a Sept. 5, 2021, meteoroid impact on Mars
Source: NASA Mars Exploration Program
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
What kind of life will we find in the depths of Europa's oceans? What kind of life will we allow an AI with human level intelligence? The ten stories in Sapience: A Collection of Science Fiction Short Stories explore these questions and many more.
UBL
When a magic ritual goes awry at the end of the First Crusade, a group of Knights Hospitaller are mistakenly made immortal, doomed to be reborn after each death. They form the Knight Nurses of the Order of St. John and work as caregivers and healers in each new life. But they don't just give comfort and aid to the sick: the knights, each with a unique magical gift, battle the Returned, an evil corporation from another dimension that's hell-bent on destroying beauty, diversity, and tolerance.
Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else
Free
What if you had the memories of 110 people stuffed into your brain? How would you know who you really are?
The passengers of flight 2164 all lose their memories except Brian; he not only maintains his own memories, but gains everyone else's that was on the plane.
Free SciFi and Fantasy Books!
For the whole of October, this set of amazing SciFi and Fantasy books is completely free - and once you've downloaded them, you can keep them forever.
Strange News
Five Vampire Myths you might not have heard
Via
Did you know that most of the 'modern' traits of a vampire were created entirely by Bram Stoker, for his novel Dracula? Or that a mistranslation from an Indian text might have given us the original idea of vampires at all? How about how long we'd last if vampires really did exist?
Here are five interesting takes on one of the most popular and pervasive mythological creatures of all time.
Source: Atlas Obscura
Miscellany
Horsell Common
This site needs no introduction, being the first landing site of the Martian cylinders in War of the Worlds. But it's a lovely place to visit, and one of the benefits of Woking being surrounded by green belt land.
Source: Atlas Obscura
Cryptids of Britain and Ireland
Listen to an episode about strange creatures rumoured to roam the British Isles - some of Nessie's cousins, our own version of Bigfoot and whether 'Owlman' might exist.
Source: dissectingdragons.podbean.com
The Welsh Banshee
Rather than screaming when someone is due to die as the Irish one does, the Gwrach-y-Rhibyn floats outside their window insidiously whispering their name. Simultaneously more considerate and more terrifying.
Source: twitter.com
And Finally
I love the idea that not everything is as it seems, it's definitely a theme in my writing. But sometimes, it can be true in the most unexpected ways. Like fake buildings!
And here's Lola, resting her head on my knee.
Source: youtube.com