General – Stephen Aryan

Charity Cat Calendar

Are you a writer? Do you have cat? Do you want to make your cat famous and raise money for a good cause? If you have a book in print (traditionally published, self published, small press) and a cat, then check out the following link for all the info. Short version, cat rescue charities areContinue reading “Charity Cat Calendar”

Flux on Kickstarter

Flux, a SF thriller, is a comic book mini series that I have been working on for years. Most of the time, when writing a novel, you’re doing it on your own. Other people get involved later in the process (agent, editor, copywriter etc), but with comics it’s totally different. It’s a joint effort almostContinue reading “Flux on Kickstarter”

Publishing Adventures in London

Earlier this week I had my first official trip to London as a soon to be published author. It was an intense and pretty exhausting time, but overall proved to be fascinating. On Monday morning I visited my fantastic agent, Juliet Mushens, and Sarah, her lovely assistant, at their offices for a chat about theContinue reading “Publishing Adventures in London”

Reading as a hobby

During my day to day life some people view my reading habit as odd and unusual. By that I mean I am always reading a book. Always. I never read more than one at once, but am always reading. In a spare 5 minutes, or on a bus, train platform, in a waiting room etc,Continue reading “Reading as a hobby”

My Top 5 Books from 2013

Recently I recorded another episode of the geek culture and comics podcast I co-host, Comic Book Outsiders. We looked back at 2013 and talked about our favourite films, TV shows and other geek moments. I didn’t get around to talking about comics or books. So this is a list of my favourite 5 books I’veContinue reading “My Top 5 Books from 2013”

Why is reading important to you?

Someone in my day job asked me this today as they see me reading every day during my lunch break. I’ve always got a book on the go. Always. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a book in progress. The most amusing and worrying thing I ever heard about reading was fromContinue reading “Why is reading important to you?”

6 Things I Discovered at World Fantasy Convention 2013

1. Some panellists like to talk a bit too much. To the point where others panellists can become silent witnesses. The point being raised may be valid, but time is always limited and panellists need to be mindful of that. Personally I always like to hear a range of opinions and everyone is up thereContinue reading “6 Things I Discovered at World Fantasy Convention 2013”

World Fantasy Con and Tabletop

Later this month I will be attending my first World Fantasy Convention. I’ve been to many different conventions over the years, but never this one, and never one this big before. WFC is also a bit different. It has not been in the UK for a few years, is typically held in the US orContinue reading “World Fantasy Con and Tabletop”

Finding Your Voice

Quite a while ago in a previous post I mentioned finding your voice and said it was a topic I would come back to. It’s a difficult thing to talk about, and I’m not in any position to offer advice on the subject, so I’m just going to put down some of my thoughts inContinue reading “Finding Your Voice”

Recharged

I’m back from my holiday, feeling refreshed and recharged and ready to face the second half of the year. I saved up some favourite books I’d been holding onto for months, and a couple of new ones, and then spent most of the week lying by a pool, drinking cold beer and reading in theContinue reading “Recharged”