Story in No More Heroes

After a delay due the pandemic, I’m delighted that I can finally discuss a new anthology edited by Ian Whates, and published by PS Publishing, called No More Heroes.

Here’s is Ian’s blurb for the book:

An anthology of stories inspired by artists who have left us too soon. The finished anthology includes tributes to megastars and lesser-known figures, to the predictable and the less so, and I’m proud to present each and every one. In these trying times, what could be better than kicking back, putting on your favourite piece of music, and enjoying a good story or two, which may just stir a memory of days gone by?


This is a gorgeous hardback book, featuring an array of talented writers, and it’s an honour to be among them.

My story, ‘Naught’s Reckoning’ was inspired by the iconic song, ‘Zombie’, written by Dolores O’Riordan for The Cranberries. I wrote it back in 2019, prior to our current global health crisis, when I had no idea what 2020/2021 had in store for us. Current events have added an extra layer of resonance to this tale…

Here’s the table of contents:

  • Introduction by Ian Whates
  • Session Man – Keith Brooke (inspired by Amy Winehouse)
  • So We Beat On – Ren Warom (inspired by Freddie Mercury)
  • Renegade – Tim Lebbon (inspired by Phil Lynott)
  • So Long, Marianne – Storm Constantine (inspired by Leonard Cohen)
  • Let’s Dance – Alison Littlewood (inspired by David Bowie)
  • The Birth Of Liquid Plejades – Stephen Palmer (inspired by Edgar Froese)
  • Motorhead on the Orient Express – Gavin G. Smith (inspired by Lemmy Kilminster)
  • Naught’s Reckoning – Maura McHugh (inspired by Dolores O’Riordan)
  • Tyranny Unleashed, Doctrines Overthrown, The Mirror Shattered – Michael Cobley  (inspired by Allen Lanier, Sandy Pearlman)
  • The Odessa File – Allen Ashley (inspired by Robin Gibb)
  • A Stranger Shade – Vaughan Stanger (inspired by Steve Strange)
  • The Sound of Smoke – Neil Williamson (inspired by Jon Lord)
  • Ninety-Seven-Point-Six – Jaine Fenn  (inspired by Glenn Frey)
  • Parfitt: Knight – Adam Roberts (inspired by Rick Parfitt)
  • The Great Gig in the Sky – Una McCormack (inspired by Dave Swarbrick)
  • Fanning the Flames – Martin Sketchley (inspired by Pete Burns)
  • The Day The World Turned – Andrew Hook (inspired by Poly Styrene)
  • Thieves in the Temple – Bryony Pearce (inspired by Prince)
  • Onward – Ian Whates (inspired by Chris Squire)
  • Siren’s Song – Donna Scott (inspired by Chris Cornell)

 

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