Six Sherds

The six ‘sherds’ contained here – whether fragments of a novel, or short stories, or what you will – cover a good deal of ground, from a highly apocryphal tale of an errant young Jesus to a tattooist’s caper in Polynesia, stopping off in Renaissance Venice and England at the time of Queen Elizabeth I (with the Royal personage herself making a revealing appearance).

These disparate pieces are united by the eternal pursuits of love, desire and the quest for a higher power, all wrapped up in the author’s highly individual prose style, which contrives to be at once cynical and Olympian.

‘From the stables and pastures of Andrew Motion, the late Max Harris, David K. Wong, and Sid Stebel, comes the author, so shall ye read.’
– John Lawson

Cats versus Birds; or, a Bird in the Paw…

When one of their flock falls victim to a local cat, Tiddles, the birds seek revenge. This prompts a series of attempts by the cat gang to eliminate the bird population.

Life becomes pretty difficult for Tiddles the cat leader and for members of his gang. Tiddles also has problems with his human, Miss Print.

Let battle commence!

Lily's Adventure

Join Lily on a delightful adventure – a heartwarming tale of friendship and discovery! Meet Lily, a creative and kind girl who embarks on a joyful journey after helping a trapped cat named Whiskers. Together, they explore the town, meeting a colourful cast of feline friends along the way. Each cat teaches Lily valuable lessons about kindness, joy, the importance of helping others, and the wonders of learning. Be inspired by Lily to embrace your curiosity, be kind, and never stop seeking knowledge.

Filled with charming rhymes and vibrant illustrations, Lily’s Adventure is a celebration of friendship, kindness, and finding the magic in everyday adventures. Join Lily and Whiskers as they journey through streets and alleys, spreading joy and laughter wherever they go. Get ready for a perfectly delightful story that will warm your heart and inspire you to cherish the moments shared with friends alike.

Be Ruled by Me, and Other Stories

There is no single, unifying theme to the 22 stories in this collection. Many have an element of fantasy. Two stories involve the intrusion of a historical period (the Peasants’ Revolt, Jacobean England) into our present-day world; another features a wholly imaginary world. Sometimes the inspiration comes from folklore, such as a shapeshifting hare or pagan aspects of a harvest festival. In one story, the fantasy is based on a dream; another describes a frightening train journey. Memory is often important: people look back on their younger lives, trying to make sense of the past.

Structure is crucial in a short story. Some of these are narrated in a café, a pub or a club. The reaction of the listeners is significant. Sometimes, characters are reading an old journal, a series of letters, a recommended book or a poem set for homework. How do they respond?

Three stories may be categorised as flash fiction. They comprise only about 250 words each and are attempts to develop the possibilities of this format.

The Mutated Man

Join the epic adventure of two brothers who have superpowers thrust upon them – how will they react?

While still deciding what to do with their powers, they build a team to combat an evil scientist and prevent the world from falling into mutation! But when Mayhem succumbs to the allure of their newfound powers, turning to the dark side, the team faces their greatest challenge yet.

With heart-pounding battles, tough choices, new heroes and villains, and PowerSource asking for your help too, this thrilling tale will leave you on the edge of your seat, craving more. Are you ready to join the fight?

Popplestone & Spells

Colin was engrossed in a book in his cozy Auckland flat when he drifted off to sleep. Upon waking, he found himself in a sun-kissed field of swaying corn, completely disoriented. Two curious children offered to guide him to their father in the charming village of Popplestone. There, Colin encountered an eccentric cast of villagers, each with their own peculiarities and quirks. As Colin’s adventures unfold, filled with unexpected twists and surprises, you, the reader, are invited to join him on this journey by keeping a Green Journal. You’ll be immersed in every facet of the adventure, meeting the characters through Colin’s eyes. Enchanted spells permeate the air, seemingly connected to a mysterious figure residing in the nearby woods. The story’s conclusion will catch you off guard with its unconventional and astonishing revelation. Brace yourself for an ending you never saw coming!

A Fairy Tale Nightmare

The  Super Sleuths, in the midst of perfecting their grand finale for the  end-of-year school prom, find their preparations taking an unexpected  turn. Their search for costumes and props at an uncle’s house leads to a  serendipitous encounter with an ancient artefact, catapulting them from  their familiar stage into the bewildering realm of Fairy Tales. In this  alternate world, familiar characters take on unforeseen roles, guided  by the sinister forces of villains from the children’s past adventures.

This  motley crew of adversaries, blending the real with the fantastical,  launches a vindictive crusade aimed at halting the Sleuths in their  tracks. Their malevolent plot threatens to end not just the escapades of  our young heroes but their very lives. As the lines between tales and  reality blur, the Super Sleuths must navigate this twisted fairy tale  world to save themselves and preserve the magic of their story. This  thrilling adventure tests their wit, courage, and friendship, promising a  climax that seeks to bring down the curtain on their journey in the  most dramatic of fashions.”

Yugo the Yuletide Goat - Ice Cream Chaos

Every year, those pesky elves appear, causing trouble around the world. We’ve all heard the stories about Santa, elves, and reindeer, but now it’s time to discover the real hero of Christmas – Yugo!

Yugo doesn’t have a cape or laser eyes, just a belly full of bravery and a tongue covered in glitter! Join the super yuletide goat on his hilarious adventures as he battles the mischievous elves to save Christmas.

Once you’ve read about his incredible journey, you’ll understand why Yugo is always the first name on the nice list!

10 Cretaceous Dinosaurs

Join the adventure with 10 Cretaceous Dinosaurs, a delightful countdown poem from ten to none.

Each page introduces a new dinosaur with fun facts and vibrant illustrations.

Perfect for young readers eager to learn and have fun with prehistoric creatures!

Tales from a Stone Town

In the seemingly calm and inconspicuous Stone Town, a beautiful tree grows between the houses, emitting an enchanting scent of ice cream each summer. Maggie and her classmates stumble upon an even bigger secret tied to this magical tree, embarking on an unforgettable summer adventure.

With the help of Mrs. Goldieeee, the kind-hearted owner of the local candy store, the children uncover the mysteries behind the tree’s captivating aroma. Together, they discover that the tree holds more than just a pleasant scent: it hides secrets that could change their lives forever. Join Maggie and her friends as they learn the true power of friendship, uncover hidden truths, and experience the magic that can be found when they work together.

Lessons from the Sidewalk

Lessons from the Sidewalk is a mesmerizing exploration into the extraordinary within the ordinary. Follow icons like Leonardo da Vinci, Winston Churchill, and Alfred Hitchcock as they stumble upon everyday objects. Each encounter, from Napoleon Bonaparte’s confrontation with a tube of toothpaste to Hamlet’s run-in with a feather, offers profound insights into the human condition and the universality of experience.

This collection is an unexpected journey through history, the icons themselves, and our shared experiences, inviting readers to discover the deep lessons embedded in life’s mundane detritus. Dive into a world where the discarded speaks volumes, and the trivial transforms into treasure. In doing so, uncover the hidden wisdom of ages past and present, seeing life’s minutiae through the discerning eyes of history’s most remarkable figures.

Don’t miss this chance to see history’s greats – and perhaps even yourself – in an entirely new light, redefining the way we perceive the world around us.

The Mouse Under the Stairs

Little Mouse Martin lived under the stairs of an empty house. Martin felt safe in his little space away from the tall people and the slobbery mouthed cats and dogs with their giant paws.

Martin didn’t ever think about leaving, until one morning when the door opened and what he saw changed his life forever.