J.L. George's Blog

The end of the year approaches, so I guess it’s time for a 2023 round-up post. “What I wrote” is really a bit of a misnomer, because of course, some of these were written earlier and only published this year — plus, I’ve written quite a bit more than this, mainly on novel projects that may or may not someday see the light of day.

But here’s what made it off my hard drive and onto a page somewhere in 2023.

Original fiction

“Water, Word and Flesh” (Kaleidotrope, April 2023) CW: Self-h...

Today sees the announcement of the shortlist for the 2023 Rhys Davies Short Story Competition, and my story “Sunny Side Up” has made the list! It’s a weird, kind of gross little story, not properly literary or speculative, and I wondered writing it whether it would ever go anywhere. I’m beyond pleased to see that it has.

The shortlisted stories will all be published in the competition anthology, which is being launched at Waterstones Swansea on October 12th. Perhaps I’ll see you there?

December! People start asking you annoying questions about whether you’re ready for Christmas, and also, lists appear.

Here is a list. It’s of things I wrote (or, at least, published) this year, and where you can find them.

Short stories:

“The Last Good Day”, Cossmass Infinities (January 2022) CW: Emotional abuse

As she tramps home, the sky blooms colours. A dust sunset in hothouse reds and pinks, indigo shot through with orange flame. She can’t...

News time, and I promise it’s got nothing to do with the Queen.

First off, Ebb Tides, a mini-anthology of horror stories about those liminal spaces where the ocean meets the shore, is out now. I was genuinely thrilled to be asked to contribute to this, because it features some of the best UK horror has to offer. My story, ‘Hundreds’ is a lovely tale about going on holiday to West Wales. Or something.

Second up: I occasionally write urban/contemporary fantasy under the p...

Just a quick update to let you know that THE WORD has won Book of the Year at the international Rubery Book Award!

The judges described it as “an exciting, well-written and thought-provoking read” that “never preaches, but offers finely tuned social commentary” and “explores themes of national identity, inequality and fear with sensitivity”.

You can see all the category winners and read writeups of the shorlisted books on the awards website here.

And, if you haven’t read it, you can pi...

The sun’s out, the temperature is finally up out of blanket-over-my-knees territory, and I’ve got a whole lot of writing related stuff to tell you about. Yay?

Thing the first: Usk Literary Hub/Book Haven is a new initiative by Saron Publishers to help local authors promote their work. It’s based at Sprokwobbles cafe in Usk and will be launching next Friday, May 20th, from 6-9 PM. If you’re in the area, you can pop along to say hi, pick up a copy of The Word, or chat to other local authors.

Hey, just a quick update with a couple of things from me!

Thing the first: Tomorrow — that’s January 13th — I’ll be doing an Ask Me Anything on the Reddit fantasy forum, r/fantasy. New Welsh Rarebyte have kindly agreed to give away 10 ebook copies of The Word to commenters, so here’s your chance to grab one if you haven’t read it. And if you have, here’s your chance to find out my brownie recipe/favourite Spice Girl/maybe even something writing-related, who knows?

Thing the second: My new...

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda! Since it’s New Year’s Eve, I’ve decided to make my Mari Lwyd story, “Grey Mary”, available to read for free on Patreon.

I’m also going to be posting exclusive flash-or-slightly-longer fiction at the end of every month going into 2022, which you can read for one human pound a month. If you enjoy my writing and would like to support your friendly local specfic-monkey, sign up, maybe?

…when the writers crawl out of our caves and blow our trumpets like we’re our own mums. Yes, that means it’s time for an awards eligibility post!

Here’s what I published this year.

The Word, adult SF novel (New Welsh Rarebyte)

I follow Jonno inside, like I follow him everywhere, and secure the door behind us. Then I wedge a kitchen chair under the handle to be sure. The activity helps, keeps me from listening too anxiously to the quiet, and I roam from...

THE WORD is finally here!

Yes, it’s October 28th, which means my first book is finally out in the world! I’m very excited, and a little terrified.

There’s still time to book tickets for the online launch, which takes place at 8 PM tonight — and of course, THE WORD is available from all good bookshops (and Amazon) now.