East City Real

It’s taken three years, but I’ve finished my novel, East City Real. It’s really pleasing to reach this point, not least because there was a time, not so long ago, when I thought I’d never write another novel, let alone a novel of science fiction. I’ve never taken so long over a first draft before, and never written anything of this length. Part of me thinks it’s the best thing I’ve written; the other part knows it’s a first draft.

The novel follows on from Requiem For An Astronaut, in a loose kind of way, and develops some of the locations I’ve included in my Interzone stories about East City, a place on the edge.

What next? Life has changed in a big way, after the birth of my second daughter in early July. Three children are keeping me busy, even if one of them is old enough to drive me around. Anyway, I’m going to let the book rest in its box for a while, so I can come to it cold, and make all the necessary changes. Whatever happens, the Lego typewriter in the photo will not be included.