A Last Blaze of 2026 Colir

Back to Basics Book Covers

 After spending several months working on the cover of my newly repuplished novel, I have decided to ditch it for one one of my photographs of Whiteford Woods, 

Whilst the cover artwork above used generative art, the many hours of tweaking, directing and arguing with AI so the picture accurately portrayed an integral scene in my novel, was easily enough to justify I was responsible for the art. Generative art is a tool for genuine artistic creativy. But its proving difficult to drag artist into accepting it as such. Yet.

So, to avoid the chagrin of artists, and avoid the mistaken assumption that an author using generative art to make book cover images (because they literally can't draw)  might also use AI for a different craft, which they they can do (because they love writing), I am going back to basics with my book designs -  utilising my eye for photography. So, if you've missed out on securing the first few copies of Rumpelstiltskin cover above, you will be getting the cover below when you order it.

One my Favourite Cacti...

...grew a new branch this year:

Heading In...

Old Bruiser

We had to nip down the allotmentlate this afternoon after being alerted that the storm that has hit Britain this weekend had blown down some of our protective netting on the plot. Job sorted, Old Bruiser marked a brief moment of sunshine as we drove out of the gardening haven.

Frankenstein Lego

Best way to de-tune from the troubles of life? Create your own little world. Taken a break from writing to have a little more creative fun today. This is my ongoing autumn building project - to recreate the Universal horror series of Frankenstein movies. Here is is being attacked by the idiot villagers, who think the creature is the monster. Still a lot of work to do on it, including lighting it so the fire looks more realistic and recreating the water filled mine, which gives Frankenstein's creation and escape route from the fire for a sequel. You can see a glimpse of the mine in at the bottom of the mountain. Watch this space...

Rumpelstilskin

Finally got hold of a couple of author copies of the Legacy edition of my first novel, first published 9 years ago, and now back in print. Meanwhile, work on my 2nd book, a speculative fiction novel about an alien plant that arrives on the planet and is seen as a panacea of humanity's woes, continues apace. The second book should be available by the close of November...

Hallow Horror Pop Funko 2026 #5

My last Halloween Horror Pop Funko foto for 2026 is... Do you recognise what classic movie this character features in for just a blink of an eye?

Book 2 (Part 1)

Part One (The Welcomed Invasion) of my second novel, first published 8 years ago, has now been re-edited. Tomorrow, it's time for me to start editing Part Two (Alien Weed)...

Halloween Work View

See Journals

My Glastonbury and Gower Journals are now available. They are rather chunky too.

Frankenstein W.I.P.

Not been feeling too great these past few days. Been keeping up with my October writing schedule, and helped my better half down the allotment yesterday, putting up the walls of the fruitcage, but have little else, except for whiling away some time working on this:

In case anyone is still in doubt as to what film scene I am trying to recreate, its the following:

Old Bruiser - The Allotment Cat

Halloween Horror Pop Funko #4 - Doodle Billy on Bike

A Happy Day

Hectic evening. Chapter 4 edited of my next re-published novel. Finished casting the minifigs for my next horror movie lego photoshoot (can you guess the movie I will be recreating?) And now settling for an evening's reading sesh!

Alien Weed

I’m already 3 chapters into re-editing my second novel for its November 2026 re-release. 

The Legacy reissue will feature fully revised and re-edited text, new cover artwork and a sleazier pulp title. 

Whilst my first novel drew on old folklore, my second is a sci-fi tale of psychedelic alien spores that transform life on Earth. As the new wonder plant ends world hunger and malnutrition, and provides new medicines that cure most human diseases, humanity falls in love with the extraterrestrial plant life. But the rare individuals who are allergic to the plant see something far more sinister in the growing popularity of the plant. As these few 'outsiders' become shunned and despised by the masses who consume the alien weed, they are the only people who notice how the plant manipulates human minds, turning those who consume it into slaves to its alien needs...

Feeling Proud

Completed this baby today, and I quite proud of myself.

You can buy it from Amazon here. 🙂📖

Battling the Blues

I forced myself out this evening, to honour commitments and work on staving off the winter blues, which I can already feel starting to haunt me again. And, you know what? I really enjoyed the evening. Put in a great bowling performance and enjoyed some great chat. 👍 

Fighting the Blues

Down the allotment, doing my own thing in my own little world. Completed my edition of Rumpelstilskin aka Crawley well ahead of schedule.

 

Halloween Horror Pop Funko #3

Photographed by the light of a single candle to add to his eerie look, here is the Reverand Kane, from the Poltergeist II movie:

Halloweeen Horror Pop Funko #2

Halloween 2026 Pop Funko #2. Photographed on top of my closed black laptop lid pushed again a demijohn of fermenting wine, which I backlit with the torchlight from another mobile phone. Shaun of the Dead.

The Gubbins at Pub on the Pond

 A more restful day today, with an evening spent down the Pub on the Pond for their weekly 2 hour quiz night.

Gubbins

Unfortunately, a milk contamination sent me home early to bed, old-Stool antihistamines and a very deep slumber, whilst the rest of the family did their best to stop our team from coming last. Which the accomplished!

Pen-Y-Fan

After a quick stop off for some chow, slurp and a skeleton, it was time to head off to Pen-Y-Fan to introduce  Amb and Si to the trials and tribulations of their first mountain climb.

 

After which, we headed to The Ancient Briton for a well-earned pint 🙂🙂🙂🙂