Martin Sketchley

The best of cons, the worst of cons

October 13, 2011January 14, 2017 by Martin

The approach of BristolCon has me thinking back to previous cons I’ve attended. There have been good and bad, and many in-between. But which was my best? Was it Jersey in 2002? Possibly. At this con I had a meeting with John Jarrold, then editor at Earthlight (Simon & Schuster) during which he told me … Continue reading The best of cons, the worst of cons

Relax and Swing – a blog about 80s pop group Japan

January 15, 2011June 25, 2025 by Martin

I was mad into Japan 25-30 years ago. I had David Sylvian hair (well, kinda – and as my wife pointed out, “everyone had their hair like that”; but then she went to a girls’ school). I also had a Sylvian coat, but although I tried to get shoes like those he wore on the … Continue reading Relax and Swing – a blog about 80s pop group Japan

Songbirds review in Vector

December 2, 2010June 13, 2012 by Martin

Very pleased with Ben Jeapes’ comments on my story Songbirds and Newcon Press’s Conflicts anthology in the latest issue of the BSFA‘s Vector. “…the perfect closing story for an already impressive collection”.

A lollipop man without a lollipop, is just a man

September 23, 2010January 16, 2017 by Martin

There’s a lollipop man near us. A wizened, grumpy old sod who looks like Albert Steptoe. He wears a fluorescent yellow jacket and cap, both of which are at least two sizes too large for him. Almost every day as I approach he makes me stop to allow various mothers and kids to cross. I … Continue reading A lollipop man without a lollipop, is just a man