Stuart Aken's Blog, page 216

Running and Writing for ME/CFS no. 31

The new footpath for the garden. Looking down on the additions to the old patio.

Running:

Wednesday, I was due a 10-minute easy run and trotted through the village, covering just a little more distance than the last time. Friday was a 15-minute run, but the morning had been disrupted by a delivery and we then spent the afternoon in the garden, laying paving stones, so I was too knackered to run afterwards. Mind you, I’d expended a good deal of energy lifting and placing the paving slabs and p...

The Promised Link is Here!

The Methuselah Strain, from FBP.

Last night I promised you a new version of The Methuselah Strain. Here’s the buying link for the publisher’s store.

And below isthe entry from Fantastic Books Publishing relating to The Methuselah Strain:

As the Prime Renegade plans the disabling of automatic systems that support the dwindling human population, she seeks a man to love and to father her child. The usual route of artificial insemination appeals to her about as much as the materialistic and hedon...

The Rumours were True!

The Methuselah Strain, from FBP.

I told you yesterday about rumours that my publisher, Fantastic Books Publishing, was planning to issue the new, revised edition of my dystopian science fiction novella, The Methuselah Strain. Well, turns out those reports were true. Dan Grubb, the owner of the publishers, has just emailed me to let me know that the book will be available to download as an ebook from Amazon from midnight (BST) tonight. Sorry, but you’ll have to search by author name or book ti...

Have You Heard the Rumours?

There’s a buzz going round that Fantastic Books Publishing are planning to publish the new edition of The Methuselah Strain. I self-published this near-future sci-fi novella a while ago, but Dan, my publisher, believed it deserved more attention. I penned a new section and Dan’s excellent design team have produced a new cover and some neat additions to the text. Word is that the digital version will be out there this weekend. Meantime, here’s a sneak preview of the new cover. Just click on t...

Running and Writing for ME/CFS No.30

Forest of Dean, above Upper Lydbrook.

Running:

This week’s training started with a 15 minute ‘easy’ run on Wednesday. I covered a little more ground than on the last time I did this run. Friday was a 20 minute easy run and, again, I covered a little more ground through the forest alive with birdsong and sunlight. Today, Sunday, was a quick 10 minute run through the village and, again, I covered a little more ground than last time. So, I’m making progress. The morning exercise routine continue...

Secrets and Lies in El Salvador, by Sherrie Miranda, Reviewed.

This novel reads like a personal account; it is presented in a way that takes the reader straight into the life of the protagonist as she finds herself. There are elements of the confessional here, suggestions of reportage, instances of the documentary.

Secrets and Lies in El Salvador is written with passion, through the eyes of a naïve and courageous young American woman who learns she is related to a left wing poet from the country. Involved with the rebel cause, she is drawn into the conf...

Running and Writing for ME/CFS No.29

Tintern Abbey; an ancient ruin on the Welsh border, near Chepstow.

Confession: I really should have decided at the beginning of this week to write it off for the purposes of the book and the running.

Wednesday saw Valerie and I bidding farewell to our daughter at Gatwick Airport. We’d stayed overnight in a B & B there so she could be in plenty of time for her flight. Kate is now in Corfu, completing her training as a holiday rep. In a few days she’ll be in her resort in Thassos, where she’ll...

Do You Enter Writing Contests?

If you enjoy the opportunity for some kudos and some cash for your writing efforts, you might like to enter the odd writing competition. I list details, along with links to the websites so it’s easy for you to enter. You’ll find the table on my ‘Writers’ Resources’ page – here’s the link Some of these are free to enter and many offer very substantial prizes. Have a go. I’ve done the groundwork for you.

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Running and Writing for ME/CFS No.28

Looking down on the monster and the hole from the slope. The monster extracted.

Running:

The programme for this week was a 10-minute easy run on Wednesday, and 15-minute easy runs on Friday and Sunday. I managed Friday and Sunday with no problems, but Wednesday was a different matter. On Tuesday, as part of our on-going conversion of the slope at the end of our garden from briar and nettle jungle to something resembling a place to sit and enjoy, we spent a good amount of time and effort on a...

“Am I Too Old To Write A Best-Seller?”

“Am I Too Old To Write A Best-Seller?”.

I came across this blog post through a site I regularly visit. Have a read, it’s worth a few minutes of your time, regardless of your age.

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