The Video Vault appeared overnight.Where once stood a shuttered butcher’s, its tiles still stained from a long-forgotten trade, now sat a glowing front of VHS promise. Neon script buzzed in the fogged windows: Be Kind, Rewind. Below that, a sandwich board proclaimed NEW RELEASES! in chalky capitals. It was the sort of place that didn’t … Continue reading This Tape Belongs To…
Jamie wasn’t much of a charity shop kind of person. Not because he thought he was too good for second-hand things—he just rarely had the patience to dig through rails of bobbled jumpers and battered trainers for the chance of finding something decent. But that afternoon, walking home in the thin, unforgiving November rain, he … Continue reading The Coat
I’m not quite sure how to begin this post, because in all honesty, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that it’s done. Four years. Dozens of essays. Hundreds of books. Early mornings. Long days. Countless cups of coffee. More than a few existential crises. And now, it’s over. I’ve officially finished … Continue reading Time For….
I found the typewriter at a car boot sale, half-buried under a moth-eaten tablecloth. The town was thick with fog that morning—sea mist curling through the cobbles like a living thing. Gulls screeched like rusty hinges overhead. The stall was at the end of a row, where the ground turned from gravel to wet grass, … Continue reading Dead Authors Don’t Talk Back
Yesterday, I submitted my final university assignment. Four years of hard work, long days, stress, and occasional caffeine-fuelled breakdowns, and just like that click and it was done.It was the final piece for my Biography module, which came just one day after sitting my Postmodernism exam (a mind-bending experience in itself). I’d been living and … Continue reading The End of an Era (Sort Of)
Today’s the day! My short horror story collection, Short Sharp Shock, is officially out in the wild. After months of writing, editing, and nervously waiting, it feels surreal to finally say it: my book is available to read right now!This collection has been a labour of love—and terror. Each story was crafted to deliver a … Continue reading Release Day: Short Sharp Shock is Here!
The moment I've been waiting for (and nervously anticipating) has finally arrived – sign-ups are officially open for ARC copies of Short Sharp Shock! It’s surreal to be this close to sharing my collection of horror stories with the world, and I’m excited to offer a sneak peek to readers who crave chilling tales and … Continue reading Get Ready for a Shock: ARC Sign-Ups for Short Sharp Shock Are Now Live!
A short post today. Well, it’s official – the final edit of Short Sharp Shock is done! I’ve just finished going over the paperback proof, and I’m really happy with how it’s all turned out. But, and here’s the thing, the release date is now TBC.I had hoped to get the book out in time … Continue reading Final Edits Done, but Release Delayed: Here’s Why
Receiving critique on your work can feel like stepping into a spotlight where everything about your writing is laid bare. As writers, we often develop a deep connection to our work, and sharing it can feel like revealing a piece of ourselves. I’ve felt this acutely during my final university modules, where my creative pieces … Continue reading Navigating Critique
As I enter the final year of my university course, everything feels like it’s been stepped up a notch. There’s a palpable shift in intensity compared to previous years—assignments feel more demanding, deadlines carry more weight, and the pressure to make the most of every opportunity is ever-present. One of the biggest challenges I’m currently … Continue reading Writing a Screenplay in My Final Year at University
Gareth Ellis - Author 