Writing is a lonely old game, making up these characters and worlds, and trying to make them sound believable.

In my small writing world, I never meet anyone at all to do with writing. In fact, outside my household, I barely know anyone who reads books.

So, it was a joy and an honour today when I had the unique pleasure of meeting the one and only Grant Hudson, of Clarendon House Publications. We only live about forty minutes from each other. And with my book ‘The Magic of Deben Market’ soon to be released we thought we should get together and have a chat about marketing and all other sorts of important things like signing contracts.

Like some sort of adventurer on a quest, he packed his bag and set off eastwards, arriving in time for lunch, just after second breakfast.

Grant, my wife Jai and I sat at the dining table and proceeded to spend four hours talking about Doctor Who, the joys of teaching, comic books, our individual experiences of our time in Australia, living in London, reading, and owning more books than it is possible to ever read in a lifetime. We ate sandwiches and drank tea and coffee (not in the same cup). And then started admiring each other’s books, the conversation went something like this
‘Deben Market is masterful.’

‘Thank you, but it wouldn't have been possible without How Stories Really Work.’

(It really wasn't that sycophantic - honest.)

We even signed each other's book. That was weird, seeing my effort bound and looking real. On the cover, the old man was looking me in the eye as if knowing it had all been worth it. What once were only flights of fantasy are now real and tangible. And anyone who reads the book, hopefully, will feel the reality too.

Was marketing discussed? Yes.

But more importantly, I met a thoroughly decent bloke who has a passion for what he is doing and here’s the thing I really want to say - one of my Facebook acquaintances became a real-life friend.

For more information about Grant and the books available visit Clarendon House Publications

#writingcommunity

This day last year I found out that my first full length short story, 'Sins of The Father' was to be included in the short story anthology 'Vortex'. It's a story I am immensely proud of and as a few people know, it went on to win best in book making it even more precious in my eyes.

It's been an incredible year for me, and I finally feel like a writer due to a regular routine of about two hours in the morning six days a week. This was verified when a friend actually introduced me to a stranger saying, "This is David. He's a writer." I didn't know what to say.

Along the way I have met other incredible writers, some of whom I can actually call friends - although the chances of meeting them, due to geographical complexities, are remote.

I would like to thank Shawn Klimek, Steve Carr, Brandy Bonifas, L.T Waterson, Elizabeth Montague, and Patt O'Neil for help, patience and laughter that has gone above and beyond the normal Facebook interactions. Not that I don't have other writer friends, but I chatted with these chaps on things not always directly associated with writing (I'm still looking for tinned pumpkin, Patt).

Talking of Facebook, these groups have been essential to my growth 'The Inner Circle Writers' Group', 'Dastaan World' and 'Zombie Pirate Publishing Writers Group'.

I am not normally one who is impressed or worried by word count, I much prefer quality over quantity, but the mind does boggle when looking at the following.

In the year that has passed, I've had 35,000 words published in twelve stories of varying length. Another four and half thousand are due for release over the next few months in the form of drabbles and other short stories.

As I write this, Grant Hudson of Clarendon House is reading through my short story collection, 'The Magic of Deben Market' - 80,000 words over 33 stories.

And this doesn't count the thousands of words typed on half finished projects and as yet to be read material.

A couple of years ago I couldn't organise a shopping list, now I plan the events of imaginary people in imaginary worlds.

I am a writer!

On a dark winter's night, can a scared and lonely hitch-hiker find friendship and perhaps compassion in the arms of a stranger?

My horror story, The Butcher of Blengarth has recently been accepted into the Full Metal Horror 2 anthology by Zombie Pirate Publishing.

They wanted gore and I gave it to 'em. I hope it doesn't give too much away to mention eyes and knives in the same sentence.

Release date is mid June.

From the stables of Zombie Pirate Publishing comes their newest anthology,

My story Serve Cold was accepted into this little beauty almost a year ago. One might ask, 'Why did it take so long?' The answer is they wanted 101 quality pieces of flash fiction and accepted or refused as the submissions rolled in. The last of the 101 have only recently been confirmed, and now the book is here for your delectation.

Here's the blurb

A daring pirate raid on a merchant ship ends in disaster. A dominatrix loses her dog. Officers count the terrible cost of human life in the wake of battle. A casting director comes face to face with his childhood bully. And why has a death sentence been issued for everyone named John Smith?

These are but a few of the thrilling tales inside. We've gathered authors from around the world into this compendium of fast fiction fixes. Each of these one hundred and one super short stories can be read in only a few minutes, just enough time as you wait for your high speed transport to arrive and whisk you away to your next adrenaline packed adventure.

This is FLASH FICTION ADDICTION, and there is no cure but to read more!

Out Now !

The Inner Circles Writers' Magazine has already been described as the best magazine available to writers.

It's packed to the gills with great articles to help make you a better writer and chock full of brilliant fiction for people who like to read.

144 pages for only £2, alternatively get twelve issues for £20 - BARGAIN!

What are you waiting for ?

Inside you will find the first of a three part story by yours truly 'The Affair of The Missing Tiara'. I also have the honour to be the first interviewee for Desert Island Reads.

Just read on for everything else that's included.

I ask you - What's not to like ?

http://www.clarendonhousebooks.com/inner-circle-magazine-subscribe-

From the editor :

THE SECOND ISSUE OF THE WORLD'S MOST EXCITING WRITERS' MAGAZINE IS HERE!

It’s even brighter and bigger than the first! Inside, this is a glimpse of what you’ll find:

FICTION from David Bowmore, Gabriella Balcom, Peter Astle, William Masters, P. A. O’Neil, Jan McCulloch AND an amazing presentation of Part One of one of the greatest short stories ever written, THE MACHINE STOPS by E. M. Forster.

INTERVIEWS AND SNAPSHOTS with Rich Rurshell interviewing Kate McCoid, and the special first edition of a feature you won’t want to miss called DESERT ISLAND BOOKS with this month’s guest, David Bowmore.

EXPERT ADVICE from Dennis Doty on traditional publishing, Elizabeth Montague on fan fiction, Denise D’Souza telling us about her experiences in a writers’ workshop, Dr. María Jesu Estrada with tips for beginners, Gary Bonn on world-building, Mark Kodama writing about the Reptile Brain, Phil Ide on technological tools, Carmen Baca on marketing and our GRAMMAR NINJA feature with Samantha Hamilton.

ANALYSIS: Gary Bonn looks at THE PICNIC by Jan McCulloch.

ARTWORK featuring the beautiful photography of Denise O’Hagan.

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH Part Two by William Shakespeare, adapted by Grant P. Hudson.

THE G. P. HUDSON ART STUDIO presents a portrait of C. S. Lewis.

ARTICLES including A WINDOW INTO MIDDLE-EARTH: Gandalf the Fearful Part One and A PERSONAL HISTORY OF COMICS plus much more.

CONTESTS AND GAMES, NEWS, THE GREAT CLARENDON HOUSE WRITING CHALLENGE (which many of you will want to be part of), WRITERS’ WORLD, SUBMISSIONS STATION with links to publishers who are accepting submissions right now!

You’ll also find FREE GIFTS FOR EVERY READER and a SPECIAL SUBSCRIBERS’ PACKAGE OFFER

plus much more!

NOT YET SUBSCRIBED? Go here:

http://www.clarendonhousebooks.com/inner-circle-magazine-su…

It's only £2.00 per issue, or £20.00 for 12 issues!

You can also gift subscriptions to others - email me for details:

grant@clarendonhousebooks.com

Enjoy!