Fantastic Schools Anthology

 Almost a year ago, at the Novacon Science Fiction convention, I read an invitation to contribute to an anthology on the theme of magical schools. The editors were Chris Nuttall and L. Jagi Lamplighter, both of whom had written novels on this theme. 

I was writing a series of Urban Fantasy novels, and those stories had included a school. None of the action had taken place in the school, but I realised that the world I had created would allow me to produce a story. I  sent a note to L. Jagi, asking whether a 'St. Trinian's - style'  story would be acceptable. Her reply was encouraging, so I set about writing the story. The first draft was a bit long, and needed to be trimmed, but I was satisfied and sent it off. 

The story, 'A Polite Request from a Tough Soldier', was accepted. My only disappointment was that Chris and L. Jagi had received so many replies, they had decided to publish them in two books, and my story would be published in the second one.

Their feedback, always encouraging, was constructive. I was asked to trim the text further and downplay the role of one of the characters, which was easy enough.

The anthology, 'Fantastic Schools Volume 2' was published on Amazon a couple of weeks ago. 

Chris and L. Jagi have now issued another request for contributions and I am thinking of making a contribution. 

Request for feedback

This is thew blurb for my new novel. I have posted it on a Facebook writers' site, asking for feedback. 

The president thinks that a group of witches has put a curse on him. He is right, but the truth is more complicated than he thinks.

The British ambassador is using telepaths to send confidential reports to London. They know that their emails are being intercepted - and the ambassador’s blunt views of the president could provoke a crisis. 

But when an American radio talk show hears about these 'cypher clerks', he assumes that their role must be more sinister. They must be a conspiracy. He tries to guess the telepaths’ true role – and guesses wrong.

Mary has been trained by the secretive Guild of Magicians in England, then sent to New York. Her boss has told her that there are no magic users in the United States. The truth is more complicated. The American magic users are keeping their own secrets.

Oliver just wants to enjoy a simple playboy lifestyle in London and New York. Then his father orders him to do some social work for the Guild. If he doesn't, his allowance may be cut. Oliver is inclined to nurse a grudge, but then he meets Mary.

Then, in the Great Storm, the President suffers a near-death experience. He tells the world that the witches were responsible. Then he hears the allegations about the British Embassy. He tries to guess the telepaths’ true role. The wrong answer could provoke a crisis.