I need a quiet place to write, a near-silent environment. I can just about take the low hum of a refrigerator, or the laptop’s electronic whirr. But a ticking clock will drive me up the very wall on which it hangs, a buzzing fly can have my concentration broken in mere seconds. Outside jackhammers, thunder … Continue reading My Music, My Motor by Colin O’Sullivan
Soundtrack for Maiko Moans by Colin O’Sullivan
Excerpt from Maiko Moans by Colin O’Sullivan
What Maiko remembers most is how plain the girl was, yet how much effort she had put in to surmount all that. She hadn’t much to go on. Her head seemed too big for her body, her shoulders too rounded, as if she shied of her own being and was forever pulling inward on herself; … Continue reading Excerpt from Maiko Moans by Colin O’Sullivan
Maeve, 1979
EXCERPT FROM A GOOD ENOUGH MOTHER She stepped away from me. ‘And now I’m going downstairs to make dinner. We’ll get you sorted tomorrow with clothes and whatever else you need. In the meantime,’ – she reached over to the dressing table and picked up something from a small glass dish – ‘you might want … Continue reading Maeve, 1979
Excerpt from SOUL CATCHER, a novel by Dimitri Bortnikov
Translated from the French (Repas de morts) by Svetlana Pironko, in collaboration with Dimitri Bortnikov. Coming out on October 26, 2020 ...................................................“She was bringing waterlilies. From a good distance. Long stems. Long… In her mouth. She was swimming like a long replete reptile. I was making waterlily crowns. Garlands… She was wrapping herself into the … Continue reading Excerpt from SOUL CATCHER, a novel by Dimitri Bortnikov
A tribute to Aretha Franklin
As a small tribute to Aretha Franklin, this excerpt from Reach the Shining River, a novel by Kevin Stevens, writer and jazz connoisseur: "A full house was tough on the nerves but easier to gather and please. If you knew what you were doing, and Arlene did. Had known from the beginning when, eleven years … Continue reading A tribute to Aretha Franklin
A glorious review of Colin O’Sullivan’s new novel “The Dark Manual”
Isaac Asimov had Three Laws of Robotics: 1. A robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own … Continue reading A glorious review of Colin O’Sullivan’s new novel “The Dark Manual”
Is your home robot cute?
Another short excerpt from Colin O'Sullivan's new novel, THE DARK MANUAL, for your enjoyment: “Where’s your ‘bot?” “It’s shut down for the evening. I’m sick to death of listening to the fucking thing.” “Oh, bring him in. I want to see him.” Susie hates the personal pronoun. Calling it a him. Zen was a he. … Continue reading Is your home robot cute?
Excerpt from “The Dark Manual” by Colin O’Sullivan
From Chapter 3: Susie suddenly lashes out, sending the cereal bowl flying from the counter out into kitchen space. It smashes to pieces against a side cupboard and lays silent on the floor in thick white shards. “Turn it off,” she shouts. “Yes, Miss Susie.” The grey woman on the grey beach vanishes and there … Continue reading Excerpt from “The Dark Manual” by Colin O’Sullivan
Union Club launch for The Insider’s Guide to Betrayal
Donald Finnaeus Mayo new novel is available HERE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIxGOezFHFE
Video extract from “The Starved Lover Sings”
This novel is O’Sullivan’s second, after Killarney Blues, published by Betimes Books in 2013. It takes place in a world transformed by disaster: earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, nationalist and corporate mergers, roaming wolves. The Starved Lover Sings is a fever dream of a world at the end of its rope. Our protagonist, and in many chapters … Continue reading Video extract from “The Starved Lover Sings”
Love and Death: What else is worth writing about?
Dearest Followers and Readers, If you haven't discovered Patricia Ketola yet, you are missing out on a truly original new voice. If you are weary of pre-formatted fiction, you simply MUST read Dirty Pictures! Patricia KETOLA’s flamboyant characters play a delightfully witty game where death and desire are intertwined. Rebellious, stylish and eccentric, like its … Continue reading Love and Death: What else is worth writing about?
Free climbing: excerpt from DIRTY PICTURES
Patricia Ketola's novel Dirty Pictures is about artistic daredevilry. It is a cultural romp, peopled by musicians, painters and performance artists, and it conceptualizes a world in which the older artistic traditions manage to embrace the younger, more conceptual definitions of art. From stolen Rembrandts, to gypsy jazz, to free-climbing, Dirty Pictures celebrates all forms of self-expression and … Continue reading Free climbing: excerpt from DIRTY PICTURES
Christmas at Le Select
“Dream as if you’ll live forever; Live as if you’ll die tomorrow.” CHRISTMAS 1924 “Christmas is a holiday that persecutes the lonely, the frayed and the rejected.” —Jimmy Cannon PARIS Hector & Victoria It was warm and crowded in the café. The liquor was flowing and everyone was laughing and wishing one another a Happy … Continue reading Christmas at Le Select
“Head Games”, the graphic novel: official preview
At long last, readers can discover an eight-page sample from Craig McDonald's forthcoming graphic novel "Head Games", adapted from his Edgar- and Anthony-shortlisted novel (written by Craig himself and illustrated by Kevin Singles). A few more month to wait until the October release, but have a look at the dedicated page on the Macmillan US … Continue reading “Head Games”, the graphic novel: official preview
An Excerpt from Charlie P, Book 3 in Central Park West Trilogy by Richard Kalich
Central Park West Trilogy includes three novels, The Nihilesthete, Penthouse F and Charlie P, originally published separately and collected for the first time in a single volume. Post-modern fables, dark, shocking, perversely funny, wickedly astute, and compulsively readable, they share Kalich’s ferocious energy and unique vision. Together, they break down standard notions of plot, character … Continue reading An Excerpt from Charlie P, Book 3 in Central Park West Trilogy by Richard Kalich
An Excerpt from Penthouse F, Book 2 in the Central Park West Trilogy by Richard Kalich
Central Park West Trilogy is under promotion at Amazon.co.uk and the e-book will be available for the fantastic price of £0.99 until the end of August. Don't miss your chance to discover Richard Kalich's outstanding work practically for free. "- You noticed Mr. Kalich and the young woman as soon as they entered the women’s … Continue reading An Excerpt from Penthouse F, Book 2 in the Central Park West Trilogy by Richard Kalich
An Excerpt from The Nihilesthete, Book 1 in the Central Park West Trilogy by Richard Kalich
The Central Park West Trilogy is part of Amazon's August promotions and will be available on Amazon.co.uk for £0.99 until the end of the month. "My little shopping spree was not without difficulties. I couldn’t purchase my present ready-made at a store. I had to improvise. I had to purchase a costly art book first … Continue reading An Excerpt from The Nihilesthete, Book 1 in the Central Park West Trilogy by Richard Kalich
Craig McDonald’s reading in Dublin as if you were there
Thanks to all who attended last night's reading in Dublin! For those who weren't there, here is a recording of the event: https://www.periscope.tv/w/1ypKdPmjArRKW If you want to read the excerpt that Craig read last night, the first chapter of Head Games, click here: viewBook.at/HeadGames_McDonald And here is Craig McDonald's speech and a few pictures of … Continue reading Craig McDonald’s reading in Dublin as if you were there
Literary suicides: excerpt from PRINT THE LEGEND by Craig McDonald
"Hector sat in a booth alone in the back of the Italian restaurant. The freezing rain was lashing the windows and the trees lining the streets of Georgetown looked like glass sculptures. He took another sip of red wine and pulled the letter from his pocket. He read it five times: Poor dearest Pickle: There … Continue reading Literary suicides: excerpt from PRINT THE LEGEND by Craig McDonald
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