Hello readers! As anticipated, the frequency of blog posts has been declining as I write up my PhD thesis. All the drafting, re-drafting, writing, editing, re-writing, and re-editing has left my literary batteries running a little low – which is why I have been craving mind-numbing, semi-productive activities to fill the hours when I’m not … Continue reading I built some Lego.
Six-minute summary: Mary Shelley
Hello readers! This week’s six-minute summary is of a science fiction author rather than a scientist. Mary Shelley is most famous for writing Frankenstein, which is widely viewed as the first science fiction novel (although the definition of science fiction is up for debate). Frankenstein’s monster is one of the most famous literary characters in … Continue reading Six-minute summary: Mary Shelley
TV review: 3 Body Problem
Hello readers! Last month saw the release of 3 Body Problem on Netflix, an adaptation of a science fiction series by Liu Cixin. The show has received mixed to positive reviews, but I bet it hasn’t made as much of a splash as Netflix hoped, given that it was produced by the creators of Game … Continue reading TV review: 3 Body Problem
Progress Update: April 2024
Hello readers! It’s time for another progress update – and for a big thank you. Last weekend I reached a major milestone: over 1000 of my books have been downloaded from the Kindle store. Even though this book-writing business is just a hobby of mine, this still feels like something worth celebrating. We’re still in … Continue reading Progress Update: April 2024
Free book weekend: 30th March-1st April
Hello readers! From Saturday to Monday, all my books will be FREE on Amazon (find them here). The Starlit Ship trilogy consists of three science fiction thrillers set in the far future on a distant planet, centuries after it was colonised by humans. These books explore the environmental and political consequences of a giant, unexplained … Continue reading Free book weekend: 30th March-1st April
Film review: Dune (1984)
Hello readers! This week I watched the original adaptation of Dune from 1984, directed by David Lynch. The film is divisive, to say the least. Reviews at the time were overwhelmingly negative, and it was a commercial catastrophe, recouping only $30 million of its eye-watering $42 million budget. David Lynch refused to discuss the film … Continue reading Film review: Dune (1984)
Film review: Damsel
Hello readers! This week I watched Damsel on Netflix, mostly out of morbid curiosity after seeing the trailer. To my surprise, I didn’t hate it – but I didn’t really like it either. Damsel is a “dark fantasy” film about a young woman (Millie Bobby Brown) trying to escape a dragon’s lair. It styles itself … Continue reading Film review: Damsel
Clayton Calculates: Sandworm locomotion
Hello readers! Last week saw the release of Dune: Part Two in cinemas, and all the buzz around giant sandworms got me wondering – how do they move around? I’ll admit, I haven’t actually seen the film yet (partly because I’ve been too busy watching videos of actual earthworms), and so I’m working with what … Continue reading Clayton Calculates: Sandworm locomotion
Free book weekend: 9th-10th March
Hello readers! This weekend, all my books will be FREE on Amazon (find them here). The Starlit Ship trilogy consists of three science fiction thrillers set in the far future on a distant planet, centuries after it was colonised by humans. These books explore the environmental and political consequences of a giant, unexplained ship arriving … Continue reading Free book weekend: 9th-10th March
Clayton Calculates: Lava-water interactions in video games
Hello readers! This is an old post that I unearthed while tidying up the blog, so I have streamlined the structure and removed the spelling errors in order to share it once again. These calculations come from June 2023, and were originally tied to a post that discussed the properties of lava. At the time, … Continue reading Clayton Calculates: Lava-water interactions in video games
