Doctor Who at the BFI – the last days of normality
- At March 15, 2020
- By Niel
- In Animation, Events/News
0
I love going to London. It’s where most of my friends live, it’s where a lot of my work comes from, and it was my home between 1994 and 1998. I have a lot of memories embedded in the grime of that city, so if there’s an opportunity to go there I usually grab it.
But so far I’d avoided the BFI screenings of my Doctor Who work. I don’t like seeing my work once it’s done, especially on a big screen. I only ever see what’s wrong with it. But I’d heard such good things about the BFI events. They were always sold out, celebratory events with lots of special guests, so I finally accepted the offer to attend for the screening of the Talons of Weng-Chiang, the Season 14 Doctor Who adventure starring Tom Baker and Louise Jameson.
That was about a month ago. Then the world turned upside down. The Covid-19 virus started to crawl from country to country, tearing up the usual conventions of society. So I had mixed feelings about attending the event at the BFI. I expected it to be cancelled, but it went ahead, so I jumped on the train and set off for London.
I met up with my good friend Chris Chatterton and we had a few beers – all very normal. London bustled and glittered, but there was a sense of unease, as if this was the end of something special.
The next day, after a very nice breakfast, I went along to the event and spoke about my work on the story. I wasn’t sure if the screening would be deserted, but it was about three quarters full.


I think the interview and the screening of the story went down well, and it was lovely to bump into some old friends who I hadn’t seen for a while like Cameron McEwan, but the feeling of unease never went away and I was glad to be on the train and heading home again afterwards.

Who knows what the next few days and weeks will bring, but I don’t think I’ll be going to London again for a long time.
Out Today: Tobin Artichoke And The Queen Of Heaven
- At September 27, 2018
- By Niel
- In Events/News, Writing
0
Today’s the day! Tobin Artichoke and the Queen of Heaven is out now, and you can read it here.
What’s it about?
When an ancient artefact – The Queen of Heaven -is found in the junk of a flea market, Tobin Artichoke and his decapitated brother Drake find themselves on a quest that takes them from London to a secret cave under a nuclear power station, to Hell, the Afterlife and beyond.
In a race against time, Tobin becomes the reluctant representative of a distracted deity, and the fate of all humanity rests in his hands. But Tobin couldn’t care less about other people, and saving every living soul might just be the death of him!
Tobin Artichoke and the Queen of Heaven is the first book in a new urban fantasy series. If you like Douglas Adams, Robert Rankin and Terry Pratchett then this might just be your cup of tea!
Reviews and progress
- At October 22, 2017
- By Niel
- In Events/News, Writing
0
Hello there!
It’s been two weeks since Arkship Obsidian came out, and I’m thrilled to say it’s doing very well. It’s got some great reviews, but if you’ve read it then you can help by adding your own thoughts on Amazon or Goodreads. Here’s one of my favourites:
“Super story, excellent twists and turns, Never a quiet moment. I read this at one sitting.”
Reviews really can make a big difference to a book’s success, so if you have a spare moment you’d be making a tired author very happy. And if you’ve not read it yet then go treat yourself now!
I’m getting into writing book two now, and things are heating up as Wynn makes new allies and discovers he’s not as prepared as he thought he was to lead his people. Here’s the first sentence of book two:
‘What will you name her?’
Hope that doesn’t spoil it for you! You can pre-buy Arkship Vengeance now, and you’ll get it at 75% of the launch price. Go on, what are you waiting for?
Arkship Obsidian is out now!
- At October 05, 2017
- By Niel
- In Events/News, Writing
0
Hello there!
It’s finally here! Today is publication day for Arkship Obsidian and I can’t wait for you to read it. You can get it as an ebook or as a paperback right now. To mark the launch I’m extending the pre-publication price for another few days, so you can still get the ebook for just 99 cents/pence. But don’t hang around, that price will be history very soon.
I’ll be going out tonight with my wife for a celebratory meal and a glass or two of wine, then it’s back to writing book two, Arkship Vengeance, due out in December. Thanks for your support during the development of Arkship Obsidian, it’s made a huge difference to have you along for the ride.
One week to go!
- At June 29, 2017
- By Niel
- In Events/News, Writing
0
Yes, it’s almost here. Altitude comes out next Thursday the 6th of July. Right now you can get 25% off until publication day, so do jump in now and save on the launch day price. Don’t miss out.
Buy Altitude ebook edition now!
And if you’re a paperback person you can buy Altitude in physical form right now from your favourite online or physical bookshop!
Want to read the first three chapters for free? Click here for a PDF version. Or click here for other options.
Altitude – the first three chapters
- At June 16, 2017
- By Niel
- In Events/News, Writing
0
Publication day is getting closer and closer, I can almost see it now!
On July 6th Altitude will be published as both a paperback and ebook edition. But you can read the first three chapters right now, completely free! all you have to do is sign up to my email newsletter and you’ll get immediate access to the start of the story.
Go on, you know you want to, just click the link: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/buz7V
More Vlogs
- At March 28, 2017
- By Niel
- In Events/News, Talks/Events
0
Here’s two more vlogs from my residency at The Word.
Vlog 2 – developing ideas
Vlog 3 – A busy day!
Writer in Residence at The Word
- At March 23, 2017
- By Niel
- In Events/News, News, Talks/Events
0
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve been chosen as the first Writer in Residence at The Word, the National Centre for the Written Word.
I’m spending seven days at The Word and I’ll be creating a new short story while I’m there. The dates of my residency are:
Day 1 – Tuesday 21/3
Day 2 – Friday 24/3
Day 3 – Saturday 25/3
Day 4 – Wednesday 5/4
Day 5 – Sunday 9/4
Day 6 – Monday 10/4
Day 7 – Thursday 13/4
My writing will be inspired by the fantastic building and by speaking to the many people who use it – I’m particularly interested in what those people were doing before The Word was built, and what it is they do in the building now it’s here. I’ll be talking to people about their lives – I want to hear their stories.
Here’s my first vlog from Day 1.
If you’re visiting The Word please do say hello!
Announcing Grimnire
- At January 05, 2017
- By Niel
- In Events/News, Writing
0
I’m delighted to announce that the third and final book in the Timesmith Chronicles series will be published later in 2017. Entitled Grimnire book three will see a conclusion to Jack’s adventures in time.
“The Rose of Annwn must be returned to Otherworld, or all life is lost.”
14-year-old Jack Morrow is lost in time. Gifted with the ability to traverse Sorrowlines – the pathways that connect every gravestone to the date of a person’s death – Jack is desperate to return to his friends in 1940s London, but he’s hundreds of years adrift. Deep within him rests a great power stolen from another realm which must be returned. But there are others who would take it from him, including the burned and disfigured Rouland.
More details will follow soon – sign up to my newsletter for regular updates.
Rogue One, Gareth Edwards and Me
- At December 15, 2016
- By Niel
- In Animation, Events/News
0
Yesterday I was lucky enough to see the new Star Wars movie in Leicester Square a day before it went on general release. I loved the film, it captured the essence of Star Wars but propelled it into the arena of 21st century cinema in a more convincing way than The Force Awakens managed (and I loved The Force Awakens). Afterwards the cast and crew talked for half an hour about the making of the movie. This was even more fun than the film! Here they are, director Gareth Edwards with actors Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, Ben Mendelsohn, Riz Ahmed and Alan Tudyk:
Alan was particularly entertaining, talking about the process of performing as a sarcastic droid.
And Gareth discussed the origin of the character of Chirrut and why he’s blind – it’s to do with Kyber dust.
Deigo revealed how he struggled to keep his role a secret, and how his son bragged about a set visit to entertain teenage girls.
As I was leaving I bumped into Kevin Cecil, co-creator of Hyperdrive. I worked on Hyperdrive producing the animation and vfx for the show, including being involved in the development and design of the main space ship, the HMS Camden Lock. I hadn’t seen Kevin for a few years so we grabbed a quick drink to catch up. As we were waiting to be served Kevin turned to me and said, “Do you know the big connection between you and Gareth Edwards?”
Gareth’s background is in CGI and visual effects, so I was immediately intrigued. I was already impressed by his determination as a film-maker, and how he made the jump from VFX into writing and directing. But I hadn’t got a clue how we might be connected. Had we met and I’d forgotten all about it perhaps?
“No, you’ve not met,” Kevin said. “But you have a really big connection.”
Our drinks arrived just as I ran out of guesses. “OK, Kevin, tell me.”
“Gareth built the first version of the HMS Camden Lock.”
Before Hyperdrive was commissioned there was a short non-broadcast pilot made featuring Mark Gatiss, Robert Webb and a few other actors not in the series. I never saw this until about a year ago, so as we began development on the show I had no idea what Gareth had built. The pilot has surfaced on YouTube so it’s interesting to compare this to the full series. Why Gareth didn’t work on the full series remains a bit of a mystery but I presume he was off starting his directing career or working on other animation projects.
It’s odd to think that, just over a decade ago, our paths almost crossed and now he’s directing the biggest movie of the year. I could sit here and mumble and moan about my career path but I won’t… not for too long anyway!
One downside of the event was that by time it was over the last train home had left. Not wanting to stay in London overnight I did something I hadn’t had to do in more than twenty years: I got the bus. It took over six hours and was like Mos Eisley on wheels. It’s a night I won’t forget in a hurry.