Category Archives: Uncategorized

Book Review – “This Present Garden Of Pain” By Sonya R Simon

I have just read and reviewed “This Present Garden Of Pain” by Tanya R Simon, which movingly chronicles the life of an abuse survivor. For my review on Amazon please visit the following link (http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RC6TSVMG04E7K/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00PMDOKG0).

 

Charlie Hebdo Front Cover

The Independent and The Guardian are, I understand the only 2 leading UK newspapers who have published the cover of the latest Charlie Hebdo. In the interests of freedom of expression the article in The Independent is linked to here (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/charlies-back–and-controversial-as-ever–as-its-staff-take-aim-at-powerful-new-friends-9974065.html).

A Modern Wasteland

Last night I dreamed of a library. I wandered around unable to locate what I was looking for although, as is frequently the case with dreams it was not at all clear what, exactly I was in search of. Looking back on my dreaming I can not, in point of fact recollect having encountered a single work of literature.

Loud music filled the institution making concentration all but impossible. I approached the librarian asking that the volume be turned down or, preferably silenced completely. She informed me that the people liked it. That this was, in fact the modern way.

Are we living in a culture so devoid of meaning that my dream is fast becoming the reality? I avoid reality TV like the plague however, while in doctors surgeries and other similar venues one can not but help coming across shows such as Jeremy Kyle in which inadequate individuals launder their dirty clothes in public. The audience (both that present in the studio and those viewing remotely) are treated to the unedifying spectacle of supposedly rational human beings frequently screaming abuse at one another.

“You slept with my sister”

A woman yells at her boyfriend – etc, etc.

Doubtless many of those who appear on programmes such as Jeremy Kyle do require help. However the assistance needed is that furnished by relationship counsellors, social workers or other professionals. Such shows are modern manifestations of a dessicated culture. One in which entertainment is substituted for serious thought. In the past the Romans watched gladiators fight to the death or “enjoyed” the spectacle of Christians being thrown to the lions. Today the audience cheers, boos and laughs as those in search of their fleeting moment of fame make fools of themselves on television. T S Eliot’s Wasteland seems so very appropriate for our times (http://www.bartleby.com/201/1.html).

A 4 Star Review Of My Collection Of Poetry And Prose; Dalliance

I was delighted to receive the below 4 star review of my recently published collection of poetry and prose, “Dalliance”,

 

“I found this book to be delightful! And a surprise, because it contained some flash fiction that was well written. It made me laugh out loud and melancholic,

great variety. And a sly wit underneath it all. I enjoyed myself and I think you will too!”. (For the original review please visit http://www.amazon.com/review/R1RHK4FDZD7320/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00QQVJC7E). Many thanks to the reviewer for taking the time to review “Dalliance.

(Please note, the reviewer received a free copy of “Dalliance” in return for an honest review. No monies changed hands.

I have agreed to write an honest review of the reviewer’s latest book which will be a frank reflection of my opinions. Again no monies have changed hands. For my post in which I requested expressions of interest in writing honest reviews of “Dalliance” please visit, http://newauthoronline.com/2015/01/10/seeking-readers-willing-to-write-an-honest-review-of-dalliance-in-return-for-a-free-copy-of-my-book/).

Help a fellow author

Pamela Beckford's avatarPoetry by Pamela

Savannah Grace, author of the Sihpromatum series, has written two books so far. They are travel memoirs from the perspective of a teenage girl.

First of all, if you haven’t read them, please do. They are great books. And she is a lovely person too.

Second, we need your help. You may have heard that Mark Zuckerberg announced a book club. It is concentrating on learning about other cultures. He has also asked for suggestions. I have suggested Savannah’s books. Please either like my comment here. Or add your own comment in the thread. Let’s call attention to an indie author who has written some great books.

Third, reblog this and spread the word.

THANK YOU!!!

View original post

Seeking Readers Willing To Write An Honest Review Of “Dalliance” In Return For A Free Copy Of My Book

I am seeking honest reviews of my collection of poetry and prose “Dalliance”, (http://www.amazon.com/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E). In return for a free copy of “Dalliance” you would review my book (clearly stating in the review that a free copy had been provided by the author) and giving your honest opinion regarding it’s contents. The review could be posted on your own blog or on another site.

If you are interested in writing an honest review of “Dalliance” please contact me at newauthoronline (at) gmail.com, (the address is rendered in this manner in order to defeat spammers).

 

Many thanks,

 

Kevin

Have I Not Reason To Lament What Man Has Made Of Man

The wind gusts and a bird in a tree above my head sings. It is a wonderful windswept day in the environs of Crystal Palace. yet in France, in the past week fanatics with hate in their hearts have committed atrocities. None the less the bird still pours out his soul. The poignant singing gladdening and tearing my heart apart simultaneously.

The Remorseful Day

I was reminded of the below poem by A. E. Housman, while watching a dramatisation of “The Remorseful Day”, the last in the Inspector Morse series, in which Morse meets his maker (or perhaps not as Morse is an atheist).

Houseman brilliantly captures the desire of man to mend his ways, to become a better person but, in the final verse all hopes are reduced to dust and, as Housman puts it

“falls the remorseful day”.

 

 

 

“How clear, how lovely bright,

How beautiful to sight

Those beams of morning play;

How heaven laughs out with glee

Where, like a bird set free,

Up from the eastern sea

Soars the delightful day.

 

To-day I shall be strong,

No more shall yield to wrong,

Shall squander life no more;

Days lost, I know not how,

I shall retrieve them now;

Now I shall keep the vow

I never kept before.

 

Ensanguining the skies

How heavily it dies

Into the west away;

Past touch and sight and sound

Not further to be found,

How hopeless under ground

Falls the remorseful day.”

The Escort Life

My stories, “The First Time” and “Samantha” explore the world of escorting or, not to put to fine a point on it – prostitution. In “Samantha”, Sam is forced into prostitution by her brutal pimp, Barry. While in “The First Time”, we meet Becky, a young graduate who enters sex work in order to clear her debts and avoid homelessness. All of my stories are fictional as are the characters portrayed in them, albeit based on extensive research into the world of sex work.

Below is a guest post by a young woman who is engaged in escorting in Australia. As a writer it is important to listen to people with knowledge of the subject matter about which one writes. Information gleaned from the internet can be extremely helpful. There is, however value in hearing it from the horse’s mouth so to speak. I am, therefore grateful to Sydsugarbabe (not her real name) for taking the time to write the below guest post. The article below reflects the experiences and opinions of the author (Sydsugarbabe) and does not, necessarily coincide with my own. As a writer receptive to the lived experiences of others I do, however believe that the below piece contributes to our understanding of the world’s oldest profession.

For Sydsugarbabe’s blog please visit (http://sydsugarbabe.com/author/sydsugarbabe/).

 

The Escort Life

Desperation. One word that sums up what it took to finally make my plunge into the realm of pleasing men for money. There’s no real way to sugar coat, I

felt trapped by my circumstances, lack of time, lack of money and couldn’t see another way out. To be entirely honest though, the adult industry has always

been somewhat alluring to me, tempting me from the ripe young age of 18.

When I was young I lingerie and topless waitressed, the thought of becoming a stripper or a prostitute intrigued me though I never really thought I might

actually do it. I, like most escorts I know, have deep seated self esteem issues, I didn’t think men would pay me.

One year ago, I began a business quickly, with no money and little planning…. rookie move… but I was sick of living week to week, scraping together

dollars and cents at the end of each week to buy food. Something needed to change and I set out to change it. Once realizing my business needed more capital

than I had, I began looking into escorting.

I wasn’t game enough to meet anyone from an agency, I would get sick with anxiety at the thought, I wasn’t ready but goddam I needed money. I fell into

Sugar Dating and dabbled there for a few months. Sugar dating was more appealing because I didn’t feel like I was a hooker… sure, in essence it’s the

exact same thing. I am selling my time and my body to men for cash. How I justified it was, I got to choose them unlike in the escort world. These men

wined and dined you before bedding you. It somehow seemed to satisfy my mental anguish in some regards.

Still, I was extremely nervous upon starting. I wasn’t too sure how I felt about it all. It confused me to no end when a man paying for pleasure could make

me wriggle, squirm and moan in what would be called ecstasy if it were a partner of my choosing. I had no attraction to these people, how could my body

betray me like that and enjoy the moment?

I made the transition from sugar baby to escorting when I began dating a male escort. I fell for him because I didn’t need to hide anything. I had no

need to hide my raw sexuality or the fact I too fuck for cash. He began pimping me out in the most basic fashion, but as everybody knows business and pleasure

aren’t supposed to mix, even when your business is pleasure. Tsk Tsk.

I joined a long standing and reputable agency once joy turned to tears with the escort. I began seeing a lot more clients, for a lot less money.  I was

very happy with my decision, but a down day as an escort is a seriously down day. There is no real efficient way to articulate just how empty you feel.

All your energy goes into turning into your escort persona, turning on the charm, and becoming a man’s play toy for hours on end. They all begin to look

the same, they are a blank face with a cock, which you are there to fawn over and excite. You are theirs for that time. You have to mentally detach and

go somewhere else. This is easier in some bookings than others of course. Some clients make you focus and discuss the whole way through the sexual act.

This is draining but this is their time. You must look as though you enjoy every second of it.

It makes my stomach turn with particularly sleazy men, you can watch their eyes turn from corporate profession to this particularly glazed over look, deep

with desire and sexually driven. They don’t see you, they see sex, you aren’t a person, you are a piece of meat.

On the opposite end of the scale there are a few lovely, lonely and old gentleman that require more company than pleasure. The polar opposite to the other end

of the spectrum. The young men. It’s quite crazy to think that a prostitute would rather work with an old man than a semi attractive young one but it’s

true.

Young men are watching every second of their time and make sure they get their money’s worth. Hard, fast and full on for the entire time. Most certainly

not easy cash made in ANY regard.

Regardless of their age, the one thing I despise is a client making me cum. I can’t enjoy it, I don’t want to enjoy it, it’s a service and the situation

would never have happened without the exchange of cash. It is the one time I feel dirty. I understand this is hard for people to comprehend though a friend

worded it well

“Every escort keeps something from their clients, so they can remain detached, something anything. In your strange case it’s your orgasm”

Unfortunately however I can’t keep it away from them all the time.. such is escort life.

Be the gatekeepers

A great post. Kevin

Maiden Ink's avatarMaiden Ink

While doing some research online, I discovered an article that lumped all indie authors and their books into one category: a waste of money. The author’s goal was to inform the public on how to avoid buying a horrible indie book. No, I will not share the link because there was only a dash of truth in his rant. He was wrong for the most part because he forgot about so many writers who invest in their work.

This blog got me thinking about creativity in general and how much creative people struggle in silence.

credit: mollyflatt.co.ukcredit: mollyflatt.co.uk

Writers and Artists pour their souls into their projects for months or even years. Sleepless nights become common as their minds continue to spin wanting to make their creation the best it can be. They are dedicated souls and most people have no idea the angst creative people go through to…

View original post 780 more words