Merry Festival, one and all

Merry Festival, Mr Black

The nights drew in.  A thick hoar frost became a regular morning caller, tracing icy fingers across paths and grasses, turning bared trees into glistening monoliths.  Birdsong was muted and discordant; the more tuneful avian visitors had fled to warmer climes for the winter.  The air was grey and biting, and all traces of colour were erased from the cold, hard earth.

It was just the right time of year for a celebration.

 -The Home Front, Volume I of The Automata Wars.

That's right - whether you're celebrating Yule, Xmas, Saturnalia, Pancha Ganapati, Hanukkah, Hogswatch, the Doctor Who special or anything else, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate.  Such as:

• Almost all businesses in this country being closed, so we get some time off (sorry, doctors, nurses, firefighters, police and others who have to work.  Pub landlords - it's your own choice!)
• Gluhwein
• Lots of films on telly
• Gluhwein
• Visiting friends and rellies you haven't seen for a while, and them having gluhwein.

And whatever other things your particular celebration promotes.

In the spirit of all this good will (and gluhwein) you may already be aware of a free short story download made available by my publisher The Last Line.  That's right folks, my short story Storm Watch, first published in the compilation Tales from the Asylum remains free to download, so get yours now. 

---

There's more - in that there's now a video of a new short story I wrote for and read at Southcart Books Festive Fantasy event on 13th December.  With thanks to Craig 'Beasty' Beas and Steven C. Davis for filming, may I present for your delectation the seasonal short 'The Wolves of Winter'.

And don't forget that the Gothic Alternative Steampunk and Progressive - GASP -  radio show WILL be broadcasting on both Xmas day and on New Year's Day.  You can listen on Blast1386, download the Blast app, or listen via Tune-in (which I usually find more reliable).
If you've had enough of mince pies and the Queen's speech, join us live on the facebook event for each show:
Xmas day (8pm UK time)
New Year's Day (8pm UK time) 

And finally - on a slightly less giving note - don't forget that volumes I & II of The Automata Wars - The Home Front and The Front Line - are both available for digital download from Amazon.  Wouldn't they make lovely (if a little grisly) things to pre-load onto a kindle you may be giving someone for Xmas...  *sings*, prostitutes, killer robots, face-suckers with wings... these are a few of my favourite things...

Whatever you're doing, have a good one.... see you on the flipside