Setting trends…
Posted by bencooper | Filed under General, News, Reviews
I’ve always been cynical about the media, and how it tells Joe Public what to like, what to hate and what to think. Believe me I still am…
But, I just received this clipping from a PR company. I’d been asked to write an endorsement of one of their bands for Music Week, an industry magazine for the music world. Who knew I’d be setting trends and tastes from sunny ol’ Devon.
Of course, this doesn’t mean I’m the next Simon Cowell (because I have a modicum of taste and don’t wear my trousers hiked up around my nipples), but Chasing Pandora really are quite good if you like acoustic music. So if you feel like following my recommendation, then do. You’ll probably be better off than with the latest X-Factor rejects.
CD Reviews on line
Posted by bencooper | Filed under News
My reviews of albums by BrokeNCYDE, Havok and Zero Illusions are now up on Soundshock’s website, plus my interview of Joel McIver. Enjoy!
New story is up.
Posted by bencooper | Filed under News
My short story ‘Gynoid’ is now up on Aphelion. It’s about a love trinagle between a man and two female sex androids. I quite like it, and I hope you do to. Please go and read it and let me know!
All the best!
Review online
Posted by bencooper | Filed under News
Check out my review of Shadows of The Emerald City over at Innsmouth Free Press.
The site is an H P Lovecraft themed ‘zine that offers reviews, fiction and mock-news from the Lovecraft universe. Hope you enjoy!
Interview online
Posted by bencooper | Filed under News
My interview of heavy metal journalist Joel McIver is now online over at Soundshock .
Joel is a great guy and a wonderful writer, and I’m glad to be able to give him what little exposure I can. If you like heavy metal I’d seriously recommend you check out some of his books, they are great reads and extremely well researched.
Soundshock is an online magazine devoted to heavy metal, and I’ll be doing more work for them in the future. I’ll update you as and when stuff goes online.
I’m Going To Be a Dad!
Posted by bencooper | Filed under General, News
Of course I’ve know this for a while now, but yesterday Kate and I went for the 12 week scan.
Over the last couple of months I’ve been on what I’m told is the normal emotional “rollercoaster” for expectant parents, and I know it’s been a hundred times worse for Kate. I’ve been constantly worrying about how things are going to work out. How will we afford to liev on just my salary? Where are we going to live, we can’t stay in our one bed flat anymore? What about all the expense of a baby? Nappies? Crib? Clothes that are redundant the next morning because they’ve grown out of them? I’ve been struggling to keep these things from my mind.
Then a funny thing happened. As I saw the image of my child, looking so much like the Starchild from 2001: A Space Odyssey, moving around (I never knew they were so active, so young) and heard his/her heart beating strongly I had a startling moment of clarity. Regardless of what happens in my life, whatever I may do in terms of my career, my writing or anything else I will never do anything as important or amazing as having a child.
Of course I may seem sentimental, and I know a whole raft of other worries and stresses are just around the corner, and no doubt there will be times where I’m far from the perfect parent, but I now feel that whatever the future brings I have a whole new purpose in life.
A story acceptance!
Posted by bencooper | Filed under News
That’s right, after a few months of trying I’ve had another story accepted by the folks over at Aphelion. They took my short story ‘Gynoid’ and it will be published in the October issue which should be out in the next few days. Click the link above, or go to my weblinks page to get to the site.
I’ve been floundering with my fiction lately; not enjoying reading much, having no ideas and hardly writing anything SF related. The acceptance has given me a little boost, but I know I have to learn to just keep writing and keep submitting. Easier said than done.
I’ve been quiet for a while, so what have I been up to? Well: more hard work on Acoustic, making some big changes to the magazine which have been well received, with more changes afoot; interviewing one of my favourite musicians, Kip Winger, as well as other musical types; starting interview and review work on Soundshock and Innsmouth Free Press; not doing enough fiction writing and not updating my blog much!
Well, gotta dash and finish off some work.
Ta ta for now.