Stories from the dark side of Milton Keynes
When you say “haunted pub”, most people think of a spooky old half-timbered building dating back centuries, and stories of dark misdeeds whispered long after closing time. There’s something about these spaces where people gather that draws stories to them. Pubs hold celebrations, confessions, arguments, heartbreak, and laughter - the full, messy weight of ordinary... Continue Reading →
Around this time last year, long before this project even existed, I decided I wanted to start writing more non-fiction pieces as well as stories. I sat down and made a list of topics I could cover - and made a note in my diary saying: I might even try pitching one of these to... Continue Reading →
When I'm asked to describe the kind of fiction I write, I usually go for 'modern folk horror', and then when people look puzzled, I explain that I like taking the ideas from traditional folk stories and playing with what those would be like in a modern setting. Think ancient evil summoned through iPhone apps,... Continue Reading →
I have a strange relationship with Easter. It always feels like it should be a more special, more significant moment in the calendar but it's really not for me. Most years, I just appreciate the long weekend off work and the chocolate but all too often it leaves me feeling restless, as though I'm missing... Continue Reading →
Hello folks! I've got some news for you all... I'm launching a new project. I've been pondering lately — well, I ponder a lot, all the time, but recently I've been more thoughtful than usual. This blog has been going for ten whole years. One of the stories I'm working on at the moment has... Continue Reading →
Way, way back last summer, the wonderful Literary Festival folks announced the theme that they were going to use for the 2025 writing competition— "Home". I'd really enjoyed taking part in the 2024 competition, and had two pieces included in the anthology. One of them, A Lily at the Rose, took on a bit of... Continue Reading →
I really love that the MKLitFest gives themed prompts for their competitions - I had great fun coming up with stories for the 'Tales from the City' collection, and the 'Dreams for Llamas' and Christmas themes were great to write to. However, I really struggled with the prompt for this year's collection - "Home". Of... Continue Reading →
You may remember that I wrote about my experience of finding the old abandoned Devil's Den farmhouse over by Grange Farm? Well, that inspired a very short, very spooky story. I'm delighted to be able to share that it was picked for inclusion in the Milton Keynes Literary Festival's "Dreams for Lammas" writing competition, and... Continue Reading →
Milton Keynes Rose, Campbell Park, February 2024 There's a literary event that takes place here in Milton Keynes, describing itself as "a fabulous festival of books, words, writers and ideas that celebrates everything literary, bookish or wordy". Part of the festival includes a flash writing competition, 500 words of fiction, creative non-fiction or poetry. I've... Continue Reading →
I'm delighted to be able to announce that my collection of short stories about the eerier side of this city of secrets is now available to buy! Taking The Red Way is available from today at Amazon. Milton Keynes is a place of contrasts: startling modern in a lot of ways, with a new-build history... Continue Reading →