It’s almost New Year’s, and that means that this will be the last progress update of 2023. It’s been a fantastic year for me, one where I’ve been able to follow my dreams further than ever before. I’ve completed and edited several short stories (five, I believe), finished off the first draft of my first novel, started on a second, and even accomplished a long time dream of getting something published; my poem ‘Mayflies’ which you can find in this anthology if you missed it. I couldn’t have asked for more out of 2023.
Next year I hope the trend continues. My goal will be to get something published again, a story if possible. A novel if I’m incredibly lucky. Maybe I will try self publishing a story or two while I’m at it. Of course I will keep up with the blog, since it has been such a useful tool in keeping me motivated and focused throughout these past ten months. Finally, here is my complete reading list for 2023, DNFs included:
2023
The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Various
Optimal, J.M. Berger
Interview With The Vampire, Anne Rice
Vampire Lestat, Anne Rice
Spaceside, Michal Mammay
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
The Collected Short Stories of Mark Twain
A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens, DNF
For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway
Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton
A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, John le Carre
The Hunt for Red October, Tom Clancy, DNF
From Russia With Love, Ian Fleming
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, John le Carre
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Phillip K Dick
It was a great year on the reading front too, and I can recommend any of these that don’t have DNF next to them. I’ve reviewed most of these in greater depth and you can find each of them at the links above.
Thank you for reading,
Benjamin Hawley
Dangerous Day Job 