Welcome to my ‘BOOKS’ page
“Other people see things and ask ‘why?’ I dream of things that never were, and say: ‘why not?'”
George Bernard Shaw
By way of Introduction: I write, both fiction and non-fiction. Of my fiction, my interest lies mostly in writing children’s stories and science fiction. The styles may not immediately invite similarity, but both tend to reflect my take upon the world, as I find it and as it might otherwise be. As regards the actual content, my science fiction writing is finite, whereas my children’s stories are always a ‘work in progress’. Even once published I think of the words, as written, forever open to interpretation and amendment.
Of the process itself, I love the self-indulgence writing brings, but I also thoroughly enjoy collaboration with others, especially working with other illustrators and writers in relation to my fiction. Comparatively, my non-fiction writing is mostly in the form of travelogues, is introspective and usually illustrated by my own photographs. (See also my PHOTOGRAPHS page)
All my work is self-published, either as hard copy Printed Books or as online E-Books.
For E-Books, please follow this link. There you will find mostly travelogues, which reflect upon my experiences trekking and grieving.
For Printed Books, there follows below a brief outline of current and ongoing publications, and links for purchase.
In Print:
THE BEAUTIFUL COAT and Other Assorted Stories for Children
Self-published: January 2014
Available at:Amazon.com or www.createspace.com/4262629
This is the first instalment, from a trilogy of children’s short stories compendiums (thematically, one for faith, one for hope, one for charity, though not necessarily in that order!). I collaborated very closely with my daughter Katie on this one: she produced all the illustrations, bar one, and helped me both create and develop many of the stories, fifteen in all.
They are all, nominally, children’s stories – but masquerading as such perhaps, being suitable for children of all ages, from 6 to 16 to 60! Feel free in the reading, or orating, to add or subtract content as you wish.
“The most wonderful, thought provoking and charming book – a truly beautiful book.”
“I absolutely love reading these stories to my little boy – it is the kind of book that can be used to read to your children, or if they are older, they can get stuck into themselves.”
“One of the most powerful and moving pieces of writing I have read in a long, long time.”
THE POINTLESS ROSE and Further Assorted Stories for Children
Self-published: February 2017
Available at: Amazon, or from https://www.createspace.com/6571213
This second compendium of short stories is in tribute to my son, Christopher. He he had a small hand in some of the stories for the first, and would have had considerably more input into the second, but for his passing. This was always going to be his book, and even more so now: it was completed in grief, and exists in hope: all author proceeds for the sale of this book go directly to to the Christopher Angus Fund, in support of the Cardiology Unit at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow.
Once again, my daughter Katie produced the illustrations, highlighting her skill as a photographer, as much as she is a natural artist (as evidenced in the first instalment of these compendiums). Like the first, ‘The Beautiful Coat…’, these stories too, are intended for children, of all ages….
“It’s very good! Brings me memories of Oscar Wilde and Mr Benn.”
The soundtrack for that series is phenomenal, perfectly accenting the temper and drama of the sildenafil generic viagra brothers setting off from their hometown, notably the music Bratya by Michiru ?shima. Therefore, you will definitely find Tadaga medication in its websites for great relief from ED. cheap levitra devensec.com So does coffee in small amounts, but go easy on this since viagra sales online it also contains caffeine. Powerful herbs in this herbal oil dilates blood vessels, relaxes blood vessels and ensures more blood flow to the reproductive organs. http://www.devensec.com/sustain/eidis-updates/IndustrialSymbiosisupdateJune2012.pdf viagra cheap online
THE GOOD HOOVER and even Further Assorted Stories for Children
Self-published: tbc
Available at: tbc
The third, and likely, final, compendium of children’s short stories is currently underway. The title came from a comment made by my son, on seeing a tornado: that it was like ‘God’s Hoover’. It was inspiration enough, and has set the tone for another fifteen short stories.
Some are written, some are just ideas at present and some are still in the ether – but they will all be finished at some point in the near future!
BEING SAD AIN’T BAD: a Beginner’s Guide to Greit
Self-published: Due Spring 2018
Available at: tbc
Subsequent to my son’s passing, I met an extraordinary group of individuals, all associated with the ‘Brightest Star’, a charity self help group set up in support of bereaved parents.
Each parent has a tale to tell, and yet has little opportunity to do so, certainly not to any who might effectively empathise or are dully empowered to commiserate. The book, currently underway, is an attempt to bridge that gap, to try and present what it is like, to lose a child. It is rough journal of my experience, as a grieving parent: a selection of poems, anecdotes and observations on grief, of the worst kind, and the search for hope in the company of others.
All author proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Brightest Star Charity.
TOMORROW WORLD’S
Self-published: tbc
Available at: tbc
In my capacity as architectural educator, I try to encourage students to see the world transformed, inevitably, and to visualise how it might be in the future. This selection of short stories is drawn in part from a similar premise: looming are technological changes that will impact considerably upon the character and processes that shape our built environment. These fifteen stories therefore present fifteen possible futures. each set within the Scottish context, and the impact such futures, driven by technological change, might have on the people living within them.