Charles Conway's Blog

Steve -vs- HacKZor

“Blue Leader this is Blue Three, come in.”

“Go ahead Blue Three”

“Enemy sniper ahead. Sending visual to your screen.”

“Good job Blue Three. Moving into position now. I have him in my sights.”

A muffled shot sounded about fifty meters to my right. It was nothing like the polite little ‘spit’ sound you hear in the movies when someone fires a silenced rifle, but it was a lot quieter than not using a silencer at all. My state of the art Bluetooth earpiece beeped.

“Sniper down. You’re clear Blue Three.”

I moved carefully out of the cover of the dense undergrowth, alert for signs of enemy activity. Just ahead I could see the compound belonging to the notorious Mexican drug baron known only as “Las Iguana.” Las Iguana was responsible for the distribution of literally two-thirds of the newest designer drug to hit the streets. Its street name was Blue Betty but it was nowhere near as cute as it sounded. The combination of crystal meth and a new synthetic heroin compound was very addictive and could be deadly. I set the third of three triangulation markers that would pinpoint the position of the compound to the air support units waiting to leave Sheppard Air Force base just over the border in Texas and flicked the switch.
“Blue Leader, this is Blue Three. The target is lit up. We are good to go on airstrike. Confirm we are go for airstrike…”

Lucy’s Grandma Needs Help!

I was bored. I don’t mean in a "there’s nothing on telly" sort of way, but in an "it’s the school holidays, all my friends have gone on that brilliant camp that Dad wouldn’t let me go on because it was too expensive, there’s nothing on telly, I’ve read all my books and watched every DVD in the house and even done all of my homework because there was absolutely nothing else to do" sort of way.

“Dad, I’m bored Dad, what can I do Dad? I’m BOOOORRRRRED!” I whined in that really annoying way that kids do when they really want Dad to stop working and take them bowling, or to the cinema, or even to the library. Anything to stop this crush of boredom that was sucking away at my soul.

“Oh I don’t know” said Dad. “I have a ton of work to do and clients breathing down my neck for” I stopped listening as his usual “I’m too busy” set of excuses faded into “blah blah, blah blah blah”. Dad’s always working and he’s always busy. I know that his work is important and that he’s trying to build up his new business after those “jumped up little squirts” (that’s what he calls them anyway) took over his old firm and said that they didn’t need him to do his job anymore, but it would be nice if just once he said “OK love, you’re bored. Let’s go out somewhere fun.”

We are pleased to announce the forthcoming launch of two brand-new children’s story-books by Clear as Crystal Training’s online safety specialist Charles Conway.

Twice shortlisted for the prestigious “Nominet Internet Award”, Charles is already known for his books on Internet Safety, Data Security and Reputation Management. His latest books mark Charles’ first steps into the world of children’s fiction. Lucy’s Web and Steve’s Web – Operation: Stay Safe Online introduce younger readers (8-14yrs) to online safety themes in a non-threatening, age-appropriate way.

Lucy’s Web is a collection of six short stories following 12 year old Lucy as she uses the Internet to keep in touch with her friends and family and to pursue her ultimate dream of becoming a famous video blogger on the biggest ever video sharing site, Viewtoob.
Along the way Lucy has some exciting adventures as she navigates social networking, meets new friends and falls victim to a mysterious cyberbully. She learns about keeping her private information to herself and finds out the hard way that if something seems ‘too good to be true’, it usually is!


In Steve’s Web – Operation: Stay Safe Online readers are introduced to Steve, a 14 year old boy who loves being online.
Steve can’t wait to share his stories about the time his online gaming account was hacked, how he convinced his English class that Martians had landed and how a virtual monster put him in hospital. And, he says, that’s just in the first three stories!
He’s also quite proud of himself for putting all he learns about staying safe online into practice when he saves his foster-carer Michelle from making a HUGE mistake!

Lucy’s Web and Steve’s Web – Operation Stay Safe Online will be released on Amazon Kindle (£4.99) and in Paperback (£5.99) on October 20th 2016.
Both titles are ideal for young readers taking their first steps into social networking and the Internet at large and introduce children to current, relevant issues that they may face when they’re online, along with clear advice as to how they should best handle those situations. They all have happy endings, because stories for children always should, but it’s always made clear that things could have ended differently.
If you represent an independent bookshop, school, fostering service provider or other professional setting, please contact the author Charles Conway on 07988 686525 to discuss special arrangements for bulk orders or email him on Charles@clearascrystal.co.uk