About me
I retired in 2018, and now enjoy spending more time with family and friends, pursuing interests old and new - and, of course, writing.
I love reading, watching and writing science-fiction, and have had a number of short stories published in various anthologies. I've also had articles on British films and history published in magazines and online.
My first novel, 'Unreachable Skies' (Book 1 of a trilogy) was published in August 2018, and is available from Mirror World Publishing, Amazon, Waterstones and other outlets. It's the story of Zarda, an apprentice Fate-seer on a planet where it is normal to fly. Only half-trained, she is ill-equipped to deal with the consequences of a plague that has resulted in wingless hatchlings. Efforts to fight prejudice and superstition lead to death for some and exile for others; while Zarda’s own journey to understanding her role in events may lead her to abandon all tradition in order to protect her peoples’ future.
The second book has been completed, and is with the publisher. Updates on its progress to print will be posted here and on my Twitter feed (@McKaren_Writer).
Interests: Writing; Reading (especially Sci-Fi, Historical fact or fiction, film books); British history; Cinema past and present; Conservation (active member of South Downs Volunteer Rangers); Active member of Bognor Regis WI
Favourite authors: Philippa Gregory; Tanya Huff; Elizabeth Moon; Robin Hobb; Bernard Cornwell; CJ Sansom; Isaac Asimov; Joe Abercrombie; Jack Campbell; James Swallow
Favourite meal: One shared with friends and/or family
Favourite film: Depends on my mood! Fantasy - Lord of the Rings trilogy (collectors' extended edition); Sci-Fi - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Director's cut); Classic - Casablanca; Historical epic - Gladiator; Funny - Chicken Run; Western - Shenandoah; War - The Cruel Sea; Musical - Les Miserables
Favourite TV: Almost anything Sci-fi, but especially Star Trek (the original series) and Doctor Who; historical documentaries; murder mystery series, especially if they're set in the past; classic comedy (M*A*S*H, Yes Minister, Dad's Army)
Favourite Actors: James Mason, James Stewart, James Doohan (hmm, is there a pattern here?), Hugh Bonneville, Philip Glenister, Derek Jacobi, David Ogden Stiers, Louis Ferreira, Nicholas Courtney
I love reading, watching and writing science-fiction, and have had a number of short stories published in various anthologies. I've also had articles on British films and history published in magazines and online.
My first novel, 'Unreachable Skies' (Book 1 of a trilogy) was published in August 2018, and is available from Mirror World Publishing, Amazon, Waterstones and other outlets. It's the story of Zarda, an apprentice Fate-seer on a planet where it is normal to fly. Only half-trained, she is ill-equipped to deal with the consequences of a plague that has resulted in wingless hatchlings. Efforts to fight prejudice and superstition lead to death for some and exile for others; while Zarda’s own journey to understanding her role in events may lead her to abandon all tradition in order to protect her peoples’ future.
The second book has been completed, and is with the publisher. Updates on its progress to print will be posted here and on my Twitter feed (@McKaren_Writer).
Interests: Writing; Reading (especially Sci-Fi, Historical fact or fiction, film books); British history; Cinema past and present; Conservation (active member of South Downs Volunteer Rangers); Active member of Bognor Regis WI
Favourite authors: Philippa Gregory; Tanya Huff; Elizabeth Moon; Robin Hobb; Bernard Cornwell; CJ Sansom; Isaac Asimov; Joe Abercrombie; Jack Campbell; James Swallow
Favourite meal: One shared with friends and/or family
Favourite film: Depends on my mood! Fantasy - Lord of the Rings trilogy (collectors' extended edition); Sci-Fi - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Director's cut); Classic - Casablanca; Historical epic - Gladiator; Funny - Chicken Run; Western - Shenandoah; War - The Cruel Sea; Musical - Les Miserables
Favourite TV: Almost anything Sci-fi, but especially Star Trek (the original series) and Doctor Who; historical documentaries; murder mystery series, especially if they're set in the past; classic comedy (M*A*S*H, Yes Minister, Dad's Army)
Favourite Actors: James Mason, James Stewart, James Doohan (hmm, is there a pattern here?), Hugh Bonneville, Philip Glenister, Derek Jacobi, David Ogden Stiers, Louis Ferreira, Nicholas Courtney
