Clan Destine Press Blog
The Burning of the Ribbons: A Crime Writer's Glee
By Stephen Johnson I wanted to share something cheerful in my first blog entry for Clan Destine Press – given the state of the world – and it was my laptop screensaver that provided the inspiration. It opened on a photo taken in 2017 during the European motorhome grand tour that produced my debut crime novel Tugga’s Mob.It revealed a joyous street scene in Portugal; students from the University of Porto were celebrating the end of the academic year in the Queima das Fitas; burning of the ribbons. There are a couple of unique aspects that always make me smile...
Never have I ever… (Writing Prompts)
I don't know about you but I think that's a tasty smiley face down there. Or an evil puppet. I have a real get-away-closer vibe from that thing is what I'm saying. I'm going to get away far away shortly, so won't be writing for this prompt immediately, but when I come back I will 1) be curious what won out with you all, the tasty or the evil or something left-of-centre, and 2) be curious if I had damned nightmares because now I really can't see anything but a bloody slash of a mouth and freaky clown-eyes and I...
Always dreamed of writing crime fiction? L.A. Larkin wants to help.
By L.A. Larkin Always dreamed of writing crime fiction? I think I can help. Covid-19 and the ensuing lockdown has changed our lives in a way that none of us expected. It can also be a time for reflection. And perhaps new starts? In a recent Facebook Live interview with Valerie Khoo from the Australian Writers Centre, I talked a bit about why I started writing thrillers and mysteries. It was one of those moments when I sat back and asked myself this question: If I don’t try now to write a book, will I always regret it? For me,...
Red Tide (Writing Prompts)
You know you don't have to use every word in these prompts, don't you? I mean unless you want to. Heck, you don't have to use any of them, they're here just to trigger, provoke, encourage. To start your creative engine, as it were, to get something-something simmering in your head and out your hands, where you maybe share it with us here—yay! I love these stories with a teeth-clenching, jaw-bruising glee, beause that's a thing that is, and that I have, when you share your story here. Science Fiction Stories, Mysteries, Supernatural I love all of those sorts of...
Where does respect stop and censorship begin?
Atlin Merrick Natalie Conyer She Said/She Said
Natalie Conyer and Atlin Merrick share thoughts on writing, in their She Said/She Said series, entries alternating between Improbable Press and Clan Destine Press. NATALIE: Last month, Hachette New York cancelled plans to publish Woody Allen’s memoir. Allen, as you remember, has been accused of sexually abusing his daughter. Hachette’s decision came after Ronan Farrow, Allen’s son – whose expose of Harvey Weinstein was also published by Hachette – protested. Hachette staff walked out in sympathy and staff at other publishing houses supported them. I’m conflicted about this. I understand why Hachette cancelled the memoir, and agree that by publishing...