is known inside the Colony as 

The Last Artist on Earth

In a dystopian future where human art has been banned to spare society the pain of unfulfilled creative dreams, only machines are permitted to create. But Michael, Earth’s last defiant artist, has found sanctuary in an illegal computer simulation where he sculpts in freedom. When authorities discover they cannot collapse his digital refuge, they deploy their most dangerous weapon: Leila, a beautiful operative tasked with seducing Michael and luring him out of his virtual paradise.

Award-winning short story (Writers of the Future Honorable Mention, 2025).
Amazon US

Blossoming

Fractured Lit 2025 Anthology Prize Winner

Flash fiction anthology to be published by Fractured Lit in 2026.

Gorgeously-written. It completely took my breath away with its tender and vulnerable beauty.
Read 'Blossoming' here

Sooth

If we know everything that has ever happened, can we also know what will happen?


A flash fiction piece published by Daily Science Fiction in January 2018.

Download PDF

The Backstory

This was inspired by my experience with isolated and uncontrollable kindergartners who gradually become absorbed by the class. Written in 2017, before AI scraping vast data troves became trendy, it now seems rather prescient.

My War with Hemingway

Zach, a young veteran, contemplates suicide after a horrific tour in Afghanistan when Ernest Hemingway appears and stops him.  Alone, haunted by the wars, and with his new friend Hemingway pestering him, Zach descends into alcoholism. With the aide of Zach’s army buddies, a new young love, Jessica, searches for him. But will they find him in time to save his life? And is her love enough to help him find redemption?

Mike Billington, Author of Murder in the Rainy Season: This book was, I must admit, very uncomfortable for me to read. That's probably because, in many ways, I identified strongly with its central character. Like its protagonist, Zach Powell, I am a veteran; though I did my two tours as a rifleman and later as an infantry adviser in Vietnam and not in Iraq or Afghanistan. Like him, I came home from the war determined to get on with my life; to be "normal."
Amazon Barnes and Boble Google Books

Spirit of the Amaroq

A Story of Salvation

After a traumatic life-altering event, Jack Douglas quits his job and hikes across America. In Alaska, he takes a job on a king crab fishing boat where he struggles with his past tragedies while fighting feelings for the proprietor of a rustic inn, a beautiful Inuit woman, Qaniit.

Kirkus: An enjoyable, if implausible, journey story. Charles (My War with Hemingway, 2015) writes in a muscular prose that suits the no-nonsense directness of his protagonist. [T]he plot and setting are wild enough to keep the audience entertained.——Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite: I was captivated by Jack’s odyssey up north to the oil fields and his further adventures up into Alaska. I’m a big fan of adventure and travel stories, and Spirit of the Amaroq ranks up there with the best of them.
Amazon Barnes and Noble Google Books

King Hunters

Muse tries not to subscribe to the idea of karma. Conman, thief, and wielder of bardic magic, he’s done more than enough to warrant a karmic backhand.

When the King of Crock Mallet is kidnapped and civil war begins to brew, Muse is in the wrong place at the wrong time. To make matters worse, an ancient enemy threatens to enslave the world. Only Muse can stop it, but to do so he must overcome his selfish desires and use his magic for the greater good.

Amazon UK Amazon US

The Trouble with Prophecies

With the prophesised Chosen One missing, Feydern’s only hope lies with Derrick, the Last Wizard, but he doesn’t want to help. In his opinion, tracking down the missing Chosen One is an idiotic idea.
But prophecies must come true and despite his best efforts, he’s dragged along on the quest. Bandits, goblins, and warring grannies stand in the way of his freedom, but his greatest obstacle is destiny itself.
That’s the trouble with prophecies…
They don’t really give you a choice.

I was hooked from the start and gutted when it ended, one of those rare books that comes along and catches you off guard. Well worth a read.
Amazon UK Amazon US

Love, Christmas

Twelve festive stories.

A collection of twelve heart-warming love stories perfect for snuggling down with during the season of magic and mistletoe.

Brilliant, cosy short stories which really put me in a festive mood!
Universal Amazon Link

Imogen Green’s Little Shop of Possibilities

A novella.
Imogen Green runs a shop in London. But it’s not just any shop. It’s been in her family for generations. Behind the façade of gifts and trinkets for all occasions, there is a room where she concocts potions and lotions to make all kinds of wishes come true. As long as the wishes are ethical, that is. Her only problem is Detective Miller…
This witchy closed door romance novella was super cute! I liked the contrast of modern day and witchy traditions. A perfect autumn read.
Universal Amazon Link

Out and About when Autumn Leaves had Fallen

Late November 2025… Mrs Treaclechops and I enjoyed a 5-day break in Pembrokeshire. We know the area fairly well because our son lived in the...
Read More… about Out and About when Autumn Leaves had Fallen

Twice as Sexy as Madonna

When Richard and Cathie got together in the mid-eighties, they both thought it would last forever. That’s what she kept telling him, and he allowed...
Read More… about Twice as Sexy as Madonna

If Plot Were an Artisan

A vast and echoey chamber crisscrossed by delicate strands. PLOT hangs suspended from the high ceiling, quietly murmuring to themselves. The DIRECTOR stands in the...
Read More… about If Plot Were an Artisan

My accidental meeting with Brigitte Bardot

So, last night, I noticed that Brigitte Bardot died, aged 91. As she is now dead, it seems a bit unfair to focus on her...
Read More… about My accidental meeting with Brigitte Bardot

Guilty displeasure

It’s an odd hobby to have, being a writer. I liken it to something akin to a religious experience in that I often talk to...
Read More… about Guilty displeasure

Juxtaposition

Themes War and peace, good versus evil, love-hate, rich and poor, kindness and selfishness, wisdom and foolishness…from fairy tales to classics to contemporary fiction, opposites...
Read More… about Juxtaposition

Eyes Closed

Blood on the Clocktower. No, not a cozy mystery but the opening event for a recent boardgame meet I attended. A sprawling social deduction game,...
Read More… about Eyes Closed

Write What You Want…

Why do you write what you write? Why do you read what you read? Well, isn’t the reason because it’s what interests you? What you...
Read More… about Write What You Want…

Nationhood Found

I was starting to get used to the idea that Romania was the land of my ancestors. Those little pies and big secrets were mine...
Read More… about Nationhood Found

Christmas on the Equator

I’m often asked, “Do you celebrate Christmas over there in Borneo?” The official answer is “Yes, we do.” Muslim-majority Malaysia has a substantial Christian population,...
Read More… about Christmas on the Equator

After 65 Decembers

. In August, he smiled at the memories of 65 Decembers, and put away his razor. . Throughout September, October, November and into December the...
Read More… about After 65 Decembers

Sunnyside: A Man Without a Country

I had good reason to believe Poland was "my" country; cashiers in Polish grocery stores would speak to me in their native language and seem...
Read More… about Sunnyside: A Man Without a Country
Laura RikonoLaura Rikono
A naturalist of beings real and fictional
30 articles
Pamela Jo KeeleyPamela Jo Keeley
Have a rummage through life in rural Ireland with mustangs, swords and homemade pie
4 articles
Rachel McCarronRachel McCarron
There's a face in my mirror; somehow, I know it's me.
24 articles
Brian YarvinBrian Yarvin
Have the courage to eat fearlessly!
4 articles
Jonny DeeJonny Dee
These are only words - not necessarily in the right order
4 articles
Robinne WeissRobinne Weiss
Fantasy, science fiction and non-fiction for children and adults
16 articles
Chris KlugeChris Kluge
Don't write for the readers. Don't write for the agents and definitely don't write for the Zeitgeist. Write because it's who you are.
3 articles
Claire GallagherClaire Gallagher52 articles
James CharlesJames Charles
The creature is still out there.
16 articles