Words are like oxygen
The Only One in the World: “Sharaku Homura and the Heart of Iron” by Jason Franks When Jason Franks submitted his story, “Sharaku Homura and the Heart of Iron”, to The Only One in the World, I knew we had a great book on our hands. He was one of the first writers I spoke to about the project, and […]
» Read moreThe Only One in the World: “Mistress Islet and the General’s Son” by Lucy Sussex I first spoke to Lucy Sussex about writing a New Zealand pakeha (non-Maori) Holmes for the anthology, but she had recently discovered a real woman from history named Anne Kidderminster, nee Holmes, who in the 17th century investigated her husband’s murder when the authorities failed […]
» Read moreThe Only One in the World: “The Path of Truth.” by Jack Fennell I was introduced to Jack Fennell at the Worldcon in Dublin in 2019 by Atlin Merrick, who had adored A Brilliant Void, a book of Irish science fiction by women which he’d compiled and edited. He hosted the Irish Ghost Stories panel at the convention, but by […]
» Read moreThe Only One in the World: “The Adventure of the Fated Homecoming” by Jayantika Ganguly Although I haven’t met Jay in person, I’ve known of her work via other Holmesian anthologies and we’ve shared Table of Contents space in Sherlock Holmes: Adventures Beyond the Canon. Jay also edits Proceedings of the Pondicherry Lodge for the Sherlock Holmes Society of India […]
» Read moreThis week, @EspineuxAlpha gave me the prompt “nightingale”. My first thought was the Vera Lynn song “A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square” which led to thoughts of Good Omens. Other related reading came to mind then. Oscar Wilde’s The Nightingale and the Rose; Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale; Keats’ poem Ode to a Nightingale, and Shakespeare’s Juliet trying to convince […]
» Read moreI had to skip last week’s #FlashFictionFriday due to being too busy! But I’m back today with a new story set in the Kitty and Cadaver universe! Here you meet Perdita, who is mentioned in the last chapter of Kitty and Cadaver, and Perdita’s friend Tristen. Tristen is in part inspired by my good friend Anniene Stockton, who (like Tristen) […]
» Read moreThis week’s #FlashFictionFriday prompts come from EspineuxAlpha, who wanted a story in the Ravenfall universe, Atlin Merrick who prompted with the booty-shorted cowhop image and KIzzia30 with the ruined cottage and ‘incandescent’. Follow me on Twitter if you want to join in with prompts for next Friday’s story! Booty Call Gabriel’s easel was out in the light which meant Gabriel […]
» Read moreI am so thrilled to be able to share with you the cover for the upcoming anthology, The Only One in the World – full of stories of what Sherlock and/or John might have been like if one or both came from a cultural background different to the Victorian-era gentlemen of the Conan Doyle books. Clan Destine Press were fantastic, […]
» Read moreToday’s #FlashFictionFriday tale was prompted by Twitter regular @Alexxphoenix42 (with “nail polish”) and new prompter @annb99 (Hamilton). I’ve set this story in the universe of The She Wolf of Baker Street – my contemporary queer, paranormal take on the famous folks of Baker Street, currently being serialised for my supporters on Patreon. (Chapter 12 went up on 26 March, so […]
» Read moreToday’s #FlashFictionFriday story comes from a Twitter prompt by @Alexxphoenix42. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter if you want to suggest prompts for these Friday stories! Crush That boy you had a crush on when you were thirteen is here in the bookshop. He was two years older than you then. He still is, technically. His golden skin then […]
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