Hello readers! Have you ever wondered what a star rating really means? Our online purchasing choices are often guided by tiny rows of stars, but their meaning isn’t as clear as their simplicity would suggest. Ratings are everywhere, whether they are individual scores given by respected critics, or mean values harvested from thousands of users … Continue reading Reading into ratings – what do they mean?
Tag: science fiction
Free book weekend: 24th-26th August
Hello readers! From Saturday to Monday, my first five 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, … Continue reading Free book weekend: 24th-26th August
Thoughts on Doctor Who Series 14
Hello readers! It is once again time for me to critique Doctor Who and confront my conflicted feelings towards its existence. I don’t count myself as a Doctor Who fan, but I am fascinated with its concept, and the bizarre but enduring niche it has carved in the TV ecosystem. Doctor Who is now on … Continue reading Thoughts on Doctor Who Series 14
Free book weekend: 8th-9th June
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: 8th-9th June
Event Horizon (1997) is better than I expected
Hello readers! I recently watched Event Horizon, a science-fiction horror film from 1997. It has been largely forgotten, and a quick Google search unearths a host of unflattering reviews. The film was received poorly by critics and was a box office flop – and it didn’t make much of an impact on popular culture. However, … Continue reading Event Horizon (1997) is better than I expected
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)
C. W. Clayton 