Jo Zebedee's Blog

I wanted to talk about a character in my latest book, Into A Blood-Red Sky. He’s not the main character (there are two) but, instead the brother of one of those – but I think he’s the beating heart of the book. There’s always a character I love more than others. They’re not always the […]

The post Scott appeared first on Jo Zebedee.

A few years ago, I approached the Arts Council to see if they would help me with the precious gift of time to write – by providing funding, I was able to take a few months off consultancy to begin work on a new novel. As ever, when I begin something new I only have […]

The post All the lost and hidden themes appeared first on Jo Zebedee.

This week, one of my favourite books that I’ve ever beta – early – read is published, by a writer who is one of the best at creating characters that I know. So, of course, I asked her along to talk about creating Ambrose, the Beautiful Man of the title.   Here’s the cover, which […]

The post A Beautiful Man by EJ Tett appeared first on Jo Zebedee.

A few years back, I got a lovely grant from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to write a book. They’re very good at supporting me, and others, in our writing career. As ever, it wouldn’t be a literary masterpiece full of pretty words and beautiful imagery – this one would be a dystopia, one […]

The post Here we go again… appeared first on Jo Zebedee.

This is a quick blog as I’m supposed to be packing up a shop full of books – but it’s an important one (for me, only, we’re not getting carried away here) 2022 has not been a kind year in this neck of the woods. There has been loss, and grief, and there is some […]

The post Writing what we love appeared first on Jo Zebedee.

Ah, Titancon. My home convention. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, it pulls in people who love it, and this little part of Ireland, it’s been a blast everytime I’ve gone, during moots, annual conventions and when hosting the Eurocon. Somehow, I ended up as its (now stood-down) chair. Never quite sure how it happened […]

The post Well, that was a blast appeared first on Jo Zebedee.

Today, I want to talk about how it feels to be exposed to toxic behaviour and why it is valid to feel that way. It’s often insidious. I’m someone who likes to work with people, to try to smooth things over rather than have things dissolve into vitriol. Which means, sometimes, I hang in longer […]

The post On toxicity appeared first on Jo Zebedee.

Tonight, I am not merely frustrated. Tonight, I’m teeth-clenchingly frustrated. Tonight, I’m at the point of throwing a few blasters into the xenosphere and declaring it a explosive display of frustration. Why? Because, whilst I’m delighted to see the recognition of the wave of Northern Irish female writers celebrated for leading the way, all great […]

The post I found my Northern Irish voice writing Science fiction – and it’s sidelined appeared first on Jo Zebedee.

A new Stephen Palmer book is always such a treat! Here, Stephen talks about how he has used his home town for some of the imagery in his Conjuror Girl Trilogy, something which, as you know, I love to do. To find out more about Stephen’s books, head to https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stephen-Palm... Inish Carraig, a book with […]

The post Writing about the place we know and love – a guest post from Stephen Palmer appeared first on Jo Zebedee.

I’m delighted to be sharing the first chapter of local author, Ellie Rose McKee’s, debut novel. I just love the hook of this so much: you’re in school, in the middle of maths, and you realise your baby is on its way. Read on to see what happens next and snag the book on Amazon […]

The post Full Term – Ellie Rose McKee appeared first on Jo Zebedee.