Guy Portman's Blog, page 13
August 16, 2019
A Free Book & An Update
Tomorrow’s World: Darkly Humorous Tales From The Future is now FREE on all retailer sites. Well, I should say permafree – as it’s going to be free for quite some time I suspect. Maybe semipermafree would be the correct term. I digress. For those who don’t know, Tomorrow’s World is a satirical book of vignettes about the future, which will appeal to all dark fiction aficionados. You can download a copy using the link below (Mobi/ePub/PDF). No email is required. Otherwise visit your retailer of...
August 9, 2019
A Summer Freebie & A Big Announcement
In today’s post, I will be reiterating what I told my newsletter subscribers on Wednesday. First up, it’s the big announcement. My forthcoming black comedy, Golgotha, will be released in the late autumn now, and not this summer as originally planned. This is because I have had a lot on my plate of late. The good news is that Dyson’s return will be well worth the wait. Golgotha is the final instalment in my darkly humorous Necropolis Trilogy. I look forward to showing you the front cover, blur...
August 2, 2019
A Stuttering NHS, Technical Glitches & A Prison Break
Back in January I went to my doctor complaining of a sore heel. He said it was most likely plantar fasciitis. Following a seven month wait, I finally got my scan done at the hospital yesterday. NHS hospital waiting rooms are depressing places, and this one was no exception. There were all sorts in there – the destitute, the dependent, people on their last legs, and a woman in handcuffs attached to a police officer. A fellow patient sensing my feeling of impending doom turned to me and said, ‘...
July 26, 2019
The Week – the good, the bad & the ugly
Another week bites the dust. I have just come back from a break in The Fens, and am now back at the grindstone trying to make up for lost time. For what it is worth I have categorised the week gone by into three categories.
The Good: There are few things as cathartic as being in the countryside. Here is a photo of a freshly cut Fens field taken shortly before the heatwave began in earnest.
More good … The local pub has Moretti on tap, and the butcher is of exceptional quality.
I wasn’t the...
July 19, 2019
Fly Mowers, Five Guys & Random Ramblings
I finally had enough of hauling my heavy lawn mower up and down banks, so I took the plunge and invested in a fly mow. It makes life so much easier; well mowing grass on gradients anyway. My only concern is accidentally cutting my toes off. It happens on occasion I am told.
Here is a picture of my dog Trigga posing on my pre fly-mowed lawn.
Who else is a fan of Five Guys? I paid the Guildford branch a visit earlier in the week, and I was not disappointed. If you haven’t already, I recommend...
July 12, 2019
8 Transgressive Fiction Reading Recommendations
It’s been a while since I wrote a Transgressive Fiction related post. Here are seven works of Transgressive Fiction that I have read and one that I have written. Click on the links to read the reviews.
Definition: Transgressive Fiction is a genre that focuses on characters who feel confined by the norms and expectations of society and who break free of those confines in unusual and/or illicit ways.
In Wolves’ Clothing by Greg Levin
This first-person transgressive work features a troubled mem...
July 5, 2019
Frustration, Firewood & Chocolate Eclairs
The ongoing work in my garden has resulted in me having a lot of spare firewood. If you would like some speak up now, or forever hold your peace. What with the relentless energy price hikes here in the UK, kindling could be gold dust come winter.
Last week I shared with you the books I’ve read this year. My current read is The Good Son – an award winning South Korean psychological thriller. Perhaps you’ve read it already. I have mixed feelings so far.
Next up will be Nick Hornby’s High Fid...
June 28, 2019
The 10 Books I’ve Read In 2019
As is my custom at the halfway point of the year, I am devoting this post to the books that I have read so far in 2019. You will notice a preponderance of dark and Transgressive Fiction. This is because they are my favourite genres.
I hope you find something that is of interest to you. Click on the links to read my reviews.
Spencer’s Risk by Andy Greenhalgh
[image error]Genre: Black Comedy
Spencer’s Risk is a third person, thespian-themed work that offers an authentic insight into the mind of a compulsiv...
June 21, 2019
Torrential Rain, Black Comedy & Comfort Food
The UK has been deluged with torrential rain for the best part of the last two weeks. We needed it I am told, as the ground was very dry. The good news for me is that with all the rain my lawn has finally started growing, the bad news is that it resembles a swamp.
[image error]Due to the wet conditions Trigga has been spending much of his time on the sofa. But now with dryer weather forecast, he will be able to while away his days in the garden once more.
[image error]As for me, I have been dealing with the monso...
June 14, 2019
12 Hilarious One Star Book Reviews
Few things make me laugh more than hilarious one star books reviews.
Most books worth their salt have garnered at least a few godawful reviews. Often it is a case of the reviewer being opposed to the general consensus. In many instances bad reviews reveal more about the reviewer than the book.
Here is the latest instalment in my ‘One Star Book Review’ series.
[image error]1984 by George Orwell – ‘He (Orwell) doesn’t know a thing about the 80s. Not ONCE did he mention Def Leppard or Karma Chameleon.’
Ha...
