Articles Written By: StephenOliver

Creativity

Some years ago, I watched a program on daytime TV called The Wright Stuff (Channel 5, UK), which aired between 9:15 and 11:10, Monday to Friday. It was a discussion program with Matthew Wright, the host, and a panel of three guests who talked about what was in the news. It’s since been replaced by Jeremy Vine. One of the topics that morning was whether toys like Lego, selling kits to make specific models, were stifling creativity. I didn’t have much Lego when I was young, but I did own several Meccano kits.…Read more

Paranormal City is out!

Paranormal City is now out for Kindle. The paperback version will be out in a few days, depending on how quickly Ingram Spark gets it ready. We've also started auditioning voice actors for the audiobook version. I'm fascinated by the way the voice of the narrator can change the feel of the story. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PZHGRQWRead more

Creativity and Inspiration

I’ve been a creative person for much of my life, but it’s only recently that I’ve begun to think about what exactly that means. First of all, what is creativity? If you ask a hundred people, you’ll very probably get a hundred different answers, each of which is in complete contrast to the other ninety-nine. It’s not that everybody’s wrong, either. It’s just that, like beauty, creativity’s in the eye of the beholder. Having said that, here’s my take on the subject. First of all, we never create anything out of whole cloth.…Read more

Paranormal City – Due Out Soon!

My first anthology is being published in a couple of weeks. Welcome to the city! There’s hospitality for all here, be you vampire, demon, walking dead, or one of the werepeople. We’ve something for everyone, no matter what your needs or tastes. Listen to some of the tales of those who live here. They’ll tell you this is the greatest city in the world. Oh, and mundanes are also welcome. Just try to fit in. A Devil’s dozen of tales from Paranormal City for your delight… and terror. You can pre-order it here.…Read more

Janus — Happy New Year

Those who know Roman mythology will remember that January is named for the god Janus, patron of beginnings and endings. Here’s a story I wrote some time ago about the shenanigans he might get up to today. Janus It’s essential to have the right one in charge. An earlier version of this story appeared on the Reedsy Prompts page. ————— “Hey, Janus, you got a minute?” The two-faced god didn’t bother turning around to regard the being who’d just tapped him on the shoulder. “Hi, Chronos,” he said with his back face, “isn’t…Read more

Scary Christmas!

I wish you all a very scary Christmas! For those who want an extra fillip of fear to spice up the holiday season, here’s another collection of stories to make you shiver from more than the cold. It includes my horror story Daddy and Mommy and Me. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NGYB48Q Also available as a paperback here.Read more

Feedback for “Shuttlers”

I’ve just received some of the feedback from the publishers of Shuttlers. It makes for exciting reading. "An exciting, very cool, very well written book. The action keeps the reader engaged from the beginning to the end. I found this novel to be very thought-provoking. It’s definitely one of the best books I have read for a very long time."Louis "The characters journey through alternate realities, where every reality is differently from the reality they have known. The science fiction element is a fascinating exploration of multiple worlds, where the characters have new…Read more

“Step Into The Fifth Dimension” is out on Kindle!

Do you remember Twilight Zone™? Or maybe it was The Outer Limits™? It doesn’t matter whether they were the original series, the reruns, or even the reboots. Were you freaked out by the strange things going on in those stories, too? The weird events and odder plot twists? Do you want to experience the same kind of thrill again? Perhaps you prefer to let your imagination get even wilder? Step into the Fifth Dimension with me. Watch your step on the way in, or you might not find your way out again. Ever! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M8Z49VM/…Read more

“Shuttlers” is here!

My first book, "Shuttlers", has been published! You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LHZ5PX9 The paperback version will be out later this year.Read more