Stuart Aken's Blog
April 10, 2026
The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves: #BookReview.
The edition of this book that I read is the two-volume hardback from the Folio Book Club. It is illustrated and very well presented, making it a pleasure to hold and behold, but the content is the same as that published in the ordinary single volume. The Greek Myths: what a tangled web of history, …
Continue reading The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves: #BookReview.
April 3, 2026
Progress On The WIP?
As promised, surprisingly I’m managing to convert intentions to action, so here’s a brief report on current activity on the WIP. See my post on 22nd March here. The process of adding factual, real events to the novel is moving forward. Perhaps not as rapidly as I’d hoped, but movement is movement and we have …
March 26, 2026
Whose Death Is It Anyway?
I don’t often post about such matters as this here on the blog, reserving them for the other blogging platform I use, Medium, where I posted this piece a couple of days ago. However, this particular topic is of significant importance to me, so I’m placing the post here to gain maximum traction. Thank you …
March 22, 2026
So, What About This Work In Progress?
I realised today, whilst doing some work on the WIP, I hadn’t reported on progress since Boxing Day last year! My apologies for that neglect. It wasn’t intended. It was incidental, partly dependent on events and priorities beyond my control. No excuses, but please accept my heartfelt apology for what looks like neglect of my …
March 7, 2026
Small Hands, Pale and Fragile: a Short Story
The story posted today was originally published in the Autumn 2024 issue of Scribble, a print and online literary magazine. Enjoy the read. I’m afraid this will be the last short story posted here for a short, unspecified time due to other commitments. Small Hands, Pale and Fragile. Nathan had first seen the house from …
Continue reading Small Hands, Pale and Fragile: a Short Story
March 1, 2026
Too Much Trouble: a Short Story
This story was first featured on the website of Flash Fiction World Contest in 2013. Unfortunately, I didn’t record the website URL and can’t now find it, which means the site probably no longer exists! Too Much Trouble ‘You’ve let yourself go.’ He looked down his length and saw the protruding belly hiding his feet …
February 22, 2026
CHANGES IN THE WIND, a Short Story
This story was first published in a slightly shorter form in ‘Ouse Valley Poetry’ in 2009, where it won 3rd prize in a contest. Sadly, the journal is no longer in publication. CHANGES IN THE WIND ‘I’m cold. I want to go back home now,’ Kerry told her mother. Dawn lowered her gaze from the …
February 18, 2026
Author Interview
I have been interviewed by Julia Kalman for the New Literary Society journal. The interview is published on Medium. Dear Readers,We’re honored to introduce you to Stuart Aken — a writer whose creative life is shaped by justice, memory, and the quiet discipline of a man who lives every scene he writes. His work spans worlds: …
February 15, 2026
‘Bus Pass George’ A Short Story
The picture is from Pixabay. I’ve modified it to remove identity in the people waiting for their bus. Sorry for the delay this week, we had such a sunny day after some weeks of dull, wet weather, we decided to take a longer walk than usual! This story was first published in the Winter 2021(92) …
February 7, 2026
Wine Dark Sea
A short story for your entertainment. Enjoy. Comment. Wine Dark Sea Eventually, the older couple, introduced only hours before, took the hint. The pair were last to leave the impromptu beach party. Silent but relieved of boredom, Danni silently urged them along the wooden jetty, the dying fire of sunset haloing the older woman’s silver …
