John W Ashbrook
@john-w-ashbrook.bsky.social
I seem to have accidentally written a children's book. Here I am trying to foist said book on you.
(An act of shameless self-promotion which, if I'm honest, ill-befits me. But I'll have a punt at it, anyways.)
Please read me book.
(How did I do?)
(An act of shameless self-promotion which, if I'm honest, ill-befits me. But I'll have a punt at it, anyways.)
Please read me book.
(How did I do?)
Aaand finally, 20 Books #20. The most recent book.
I read it last year and was bowled over by its vision, its characters & its structure. It's the very definition of a page-turner.
Whenever you think you can predict where it's going, it changes.
What's more - it was a self publishing success!
I read it last year and was bowled over by its vision, its characters & its structure. It's the very definition of a page-turner.
Whenever you think you can predict where it's going, it changes.
What's more - it was a self publishing success!
December 26, 2024 at 8:44 PM
Aaand finally, 20 Books #20. The most recent book.
I read it last year and was bowled over by its vision, its characters & its structure. It's the very definition of a page-turner.
Whenever you think you can predict where it's going, it changes.
What's more - it was a self publishing success!
I read it last year and was bowled over by its vision, its characters & its structure. It's the very definition of a page-turner.
Whenever you think you can predict where it's going, it changes.
What's more - it was a self publishing success!
20 Books #19
Even though I didn't yet know who Alfred Hitchock was, his cameo appearances in these books led them a glamour that your Famous Fives and Nancy Drews lacked.
This series - along with Doctor Who novelisations and ERB's Barsoom books - was my introduction to the joys of reading.
Even though I didn't yet know who Alfred Hitchock was, his cameo appearances in these books led them a glamour that your Famous Fives and Nancy Drews lacked.
This series - along with Doctor Who novelisations and ERB's Barsoom books - was my introduction to the joys of reading.
December 26, 2024 at 11:27 AM
20 Books #19
Even though I didn't yet know who Alfred Hitchock was, his cameo appearances in these books led them a glamour that your Famous Fives and Nancy Drews lacked.
This series - along with Doctor Who novelisations and ERB's Barsoom books - was my introduction to the joys of reading.
Even though I didn't yet know who Alfred Hitchock was, his cameo appearances in these books led them a glamour that your Famous Fives and Nancy Drews lacked.
This series - along with Doctor Who novelisations and ERB's Barsoom books - was my introduction to the joys of reading.
And - boom - it's #Christmas Eve.
Wanna know what's *really* happening in your home tonight? Find out where the presents *really* come from!
It's all in here!
Amazon UK: shorturl.at/y8crB
Amazon US: shorturl.at/6sO0L
#SelfPublishing #amwriting #ChristmasReading #indieauthor
#bookpromotion
Wanna know what's *really* happening in your home tonight? Find out where the presents *really* come from!
It's all in here!
Amazon UK: shorturl.at/y8crB
Amazon US: shorturl.at/6sO0L
#SelfPublishing #amwriting #ChristmasReading #indieauthor
#bookpromotion
December 24, 2024 at 6:19 PM
And - boom - it's #Christmas Eve.
Wanna know what's *really* happening in your home tonight? Find out where the presents *really* come from!
It's all in here!
Amazon UK: shorturl.at/y8crB
Amazon US: shorturl.at/6sO0L
#SelfPublishing #amwriting #ChristmasReading #indieauthor
#bookpromotion
Wanna know what's *really* happening in your home tonight? Find out where the presents *really* come from!
It's all in here!
Amazon UK: shorturl.at/y8crB
Amazon US: shorturl.at/6sO0L
#SelfPublishing #amwriting #ChristmasReading #indieauthor
#bookpromotion
20 Books #18
In the post-Buffy, post-Sookie world, it's easy to forget that vampires used to be exclusively European gentry in capes.
What impressed me about this book, when I read it back in 1978, aged 12, was its scope and how it made the hoary old genre fresh and relevant and genuinely scary.
In the post-Buffy, post-Sookie world, it's easy to forget that vampires used to be exclusively European gentry in capes.
What impressed me about this book, when I read it back in 1978, aged 12, was its scope and how it made the hoary old genre fresh and relevant and genuinely scary.
December 23, 2024 at 11:55 PM
20 Books #18
In the post-Buffy, post-Sookie world, it's easy to forget that vampires used to be exclusively European gentry in capes.
What impressed me about this book, when I read it back in 1978, aged 12, was its scope and how it made the hoary old genre fresh and relevant and genuinely scary.
In the post-Buffy, post-Sookie world, it's easy to forget that vampires used to be exclusively European gentry in capes.
What impressed me about this book, when I read it back in 1978, aged 12, was its scope and how it made the hoary old genre fresh and relevant and genuinely scary.
20 Books #17.
Back when I was discovering all my sci-fi tropes through Dr. Who and Star Wars - I also discovered ERB.
His FX were so much better.
I dedicated myself to completing the set of 11 books with Bruce Pennington covers. 45 years on, I still don't think I've achieved that goal.
Back when I was discovering all my sci-fi tropes through Dr. Who and Star Wars - I also discovered ERB.
His FX were so much better.
I dedicated myself to completing the set of 11 books with Bruce Pennington covers. 45 years on, I still don't think I've achieved that goal.
December 22, 2024 at 5:10 PM
20 Books #17.
Back when I was discovering all my sci-fi tropes through Dr. Who and Star Wars - I also discovered ERB.
His FX were so much better.
I dedicated myself to completing the set of 11 books with Bruce Pennington covers. 45 years on, I still don't think I've achieved that goal.
Back when I was discovering all my sci-fi tropes through Dr. Who and Star Wars - I also discovered ERB.
His FX were so much better.
I dedicated myself to completing the set of 11 books with Bruce Pennington covers. 45 years on, I still don't think I've achieved that goal.
Only 5 days to go! The Christmas Mice is "...the perfect book for the lead up to Christmas, for children and adults ...I can't recommend this book enough." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
US Amazon: bit.ly/3Zybv5o
UK Amazon: bit.ly/411u4RR
#SelfPublishing #amwriting #Christmas #ChristmasReading #indieauthor #bookpromotion
US Amazon: bit.ly/3Zybv5o
UK Amazon: bit.ly/411u4RR
#SelfPublishing #amwriting #Christmas #ChristmasReading #indieauthor #bookpromotion
December 20, 2024 at 7:46 PM
Only 5 days to go! The Christmas Mice is "...the perfect book for the lead up to Christmas, for children and adults ...I can't recommend this book enough." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
US Amazon: bit.ly/3Zybv5o
UK Amazon: bit.ly/411u4RR
#SelfPublishing #amwriting #Christmas #ChristmasReading #indieauthor #bookpromotion
US Amazon: bit.ly/3Zybv5o
UK Amazon: bit.ly/411u4RR
#SelfPublishing #amwriting #Christmas #ChristmasReading #indieauthor #bookpromotion
20 books #16
The most perfect writing I ever read. In 'Evan Almighty', Freeman says 'God gives you the opportunity to love each other'.
That's what this book's about: Love! McCarthy asks himself what would I do for my son? Die for him, sure. But, am I strong enough to live for him no matter what?
The most perfect writing I ever read. In 'Evan Almighty', Freeman says 'God gives you the opportunity to love each other'.
That's what this book's about: Love! McCarthy asks himself what would I do for my son? Die for him, sure. But, am I strong enough to live for him no matter what?
December 20, 2024 at 10:19 AM
20 books #16
The most perfect writing I ever read. In 'Evan Almighty', Freeman says 'God gives you the opportunity to love each other'.
That's what this book's about: Love! McCarthy asks himself what would I do for my son? Die for him, sure. But, am I strong enough to live for him no matter what?
The most perfect writing I ever read. In 'Evan Almighty', Freeman says 'God gives you the opportunity to love each other'.
That's what this book's about: Love! McCarthy asks himself what would I do for my son? Die for him, sure. But, am I strong enough to live for him no matter what?
20 Books #15
THE most inspiring book on film making. Read it & you WILL feel you can make a movie.
I hustled like mad to get to the London screening of 'Desperado' so I could meet Rodriguez & interview him.
He liked my 'Hard Boiled' hat. So I swapped it for his autograph in my copy of this book.
THE most inspiring book on film making. Read it & you WILL feel you can make a movie.
I hustled like mad to get to the London screening of 'Desperado' so I could meet Rodriguez & interview him.
He liked my 'Hard Boiled' hat. So I swapped it for his autograph in my copy of this book.
December 17, 2024 at 11:25 PM
20 Books #15
THE most inspiring book on film making. Read it & you WILL feel you can make a movie.
I hustled like mad to get to the London screening of 'Desperado' so I could meet Rodriguez & interview him.
He liked my 'Hard Boiled' hat. So I swapped it for his autograph in my copy of this book.
THE most inspiring book on film making. Read it & you WILL feel you can make a movie.
I hustled like mad to get to the London screening of 'Desperado' so I could meet Rodriguez & interview him.
He liked my 'Hard Boiled' hat. So I swapped it for his autograph in my copy of this book.
I got into Python when they had finished on TV & were only available on LP. So, this book (plus accompanying soundtrack album) was my introduction to Python.
To my mind, they were a radio comedy troupe.
Their chaotic creativity and the unvarnished honesty of this book is *still* remarkable.
To my mind, they were a radio comedy troupe.
Their chaotic creativity and the unvarnished honesty of this book is *still* remarkable.
December 16, 2024 at 8:31 PM
I got into Python when they had finished on TV & were only available on LP. So, this book (plus accompanying soundtrack album) was my introduction to Python.
To my mind, they were a radio comedy troupe.
Their chaotic creativity and the unvarnished honesty of this book is *still* remarkable.
To my mind, they were a radio comedy troupe.
Their chaotic creativity and the unvarnished honesty of this book is *still* remarkable.
20 books #13.
Ray Harryhausen changed my life. I was 5 when I first saw '7th Voyage' and the Cyclops lived rent-free in my young head.
That was the moment I fell in love with movies.
Decades later I was able to thank him for this when I interviewed him.
This, for many years, was his only book.
Ray Harryhausen changed my life. I was 5 when I first saw '7th Voyage' and the Cyclops lived rent-free in my young head.
That was the moment I fell in love with movies.
Decades later I was able to thank him for this when I interviewed him.
This, for many years, was his only book.
December 15, 2024 at 11:21 PM
20 books #13.
Ray Harryhausen changed my life. I was 5 when I first saw '7th Voyage' and the Cyclops lived rent-free in my young head.
That was the moment I fell in love with movies.
Decades later I was able to thank him for this when I interviewed him.
This, for many years, was his only book.
Ray Harryhausen changed my life. I was 5 when I first saw '7th Voyage' and the Cyclops lived rent-free in my young head.
That was the moment I fell in love with movies.
Decades later I was able to thank him for this when I interviewed him.
This, for many years, was his only book.
There'll never be another #calvin&hobbes.
December 15, 2024 at 1:51 PM
There'll never be another #calvin&hobbes.
Books #12.
I *think* this was my first Dr Who novelisation. In the 70s, this was the only way to revisit a film or TV show.
I've read more Terrance Dicks than any other author!
I learned all my SF & horror tropes through his books.
Dr Who was my 1st book collection & my 1st literary love.
I *think* this was my first Dr Who novelisation. In the 70s, this was the only way to revisit a film or TV show.
I've read more Terrance Dicks than any other author!
I learned all my SF & horror tropes through his books.
Dr Who was my 1st book collection & my 1st literary love.
December 14, 2024 at 11:05 PM
Books #12.
I *think* this was my first Dr Who novelisation. In the 70s, this was the only way to revisit a film or TV show.
I've read more Terrance Dicks than any other author!
I learned all my SF & horror tropes through his books.
Dr Who was my 1st book collection & my 1st literary love.
I *think* this was my first Dr Who novelisation. In the 70s, this was the only way to revisit a film or TV show.
I've read more Terrance Dicks than any other author!
I learned all my SF & horror tropes through his books.
Dr Who was my 1st book collection & my 1st literary love.
20 books #11.
As a callow yoot, this was the only out-and-out fantasy I ever enjoyed. (I never really dug Tolkien and gave up on Narnia).
My relationship with Le Guin deepened when I read 'The Word for World is Forest' in Again, Dangerous Visions.
But this was my gateway drug.
As a callow yoot, this was the only out-and-out fantasy I ever enjoyed. (I never really dug Tolkien and gave up on Narnia).
My relationship with Le Guin deepened when I read 'The Word for World is Forest' in Again, Dangerous Visions.
But this was my gateway drug.
December 13, 2024 at 10:14 PM
20 books #11.
As a callow yoot, this was the only out-and-out fantasy I ever enjoyed. (I never really dug Tolkien and gave up on Narnia).
My relationship with Le Guin deepened when I read 'The Word for World is Forest' in Again, Dangerous Visions.
But this was my gateway drug.
As a callow yoot, this was the only out-and-out fantasy I ever enjoyed. (I never really dug Tolkien and gave up on Narnia).
My relationship with Le Guin deepened when I read 'The Word for World is Forest' in Again, Dangerous Visions.
But this was my gateway drug.
20 books ... #10.
And the *other* comic I'm including is Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons' autopsy of superheroes.
Where Miller's Batman was a gritty, primal scream - this was careful and cunning.
Engage brain & re-read. Then re-re-read. There is no greater synthesis of words & visuals in the medium.
And the *other* comic I'm including is Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons' autopsy of superheroes.
Where Miller's Batman was a gritty, primal scream - this was careful and cunning.
Engage brain & re-read. Then re-re-read. There is no greater synthesis of words & visuals in the medium.
December 12, 2024 at 9:59 PM
20 books ... #10.
And the *other* comic I'm including is Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons' autopsy of superheroes.
Where Miller's Batman was a gritty, primal scream - this was careful and cunning.
Engage brain & re-read. Then re-re-read. There is no greater synthesis of words & visuals in the medium.
And the *other* comic I'm including is Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons' autopsy of superheroes.
Where Miller's Batman was a gritty, primal scream - this was careful and cunning.
Engage brain & re-read. Then re-re-read. There is no greater synthesis of words & visuals in the medium.
20 books ... #9.
The first comic should be the one that brought me back to comics as an adult. I'd learned to read on comics - then put aside such childish things.
Until Miller's mature, operatic, psychotic vision. Bought it in London & devoured it on the train home. I cheered. I wept. I was back!
The first comic should be the one that brought me back to comics as an adult. I'd learned to read on comics - then put aside such childish things.
Until Miller's mature, operatic, psychotic vision. Bought it in London & devoured it on the train home. I cheered. I wept. I was back!
December 11, 2024 at 9:30 PM
20 books ... #9.
The first comic should be the one that brought me back to comics as an adult. I'd learned to read on comics - then put aside such childish things.
Until Miller's mature, operatic, psychotic vision. Bought it in London & devoured it on the train home. I cheered. I wept. I was back!
The first comic should be the one that brought me back to comics as an adult. I'd learned to read on comics - then put aside such childish things.
Until Miller's mature, operatic, psychotic vision. Bought it in London & devoured it on the train home. I cheered. I wept. I was back!
So, I made a new short video about my little book.
Just search for 'John W. Ashbrook' on the Amazon.
Thank you 😁🙏
#selfpublishing #indieauthor #writerscommunity #bookpromotion #authorlife #amwriting #writingcommunity #creativewriting #ChristmasReading #FestiveReading #SeasonsReadings
Just search for 'John W. Ashbrook' on the Amazon.
Thank you 😁🙏
#selfpublishing #indieauthor #writerscommunity #bookpromotion #authorlife #amwriting #writingcommunity #creativewriting #ChristmasReading #FestiveReading #SeasonsReadings
December 9, 2024 at 11:57 PM
So, I made a new short video about my little book.
Just search for 'John W. Ashbrook' on the Amazon.
Thank you 😁🙏
#selfpublishing #indieauthor #writerscommunity #bookpromotion #authorlife #amwriting #writingcommunity #creativewriting #ChristmasReading #FestiveReading #SeasonsReadings
Just search for 'John W. Ashbrook' on the Amazon.
Thank you 😁🙏
#selfpublishing #indieauthor #writerscommunity #bookpromotion #authorlife #amwriting #writingcommunity #creativewriting #ChristmasReading #FestiveReading #SeasonsReadings
20 books ... #8.
Yes, I wear a black fedora because of Terry Pratchett. He just looked so frickin' cool in it. As do I 😂.
Met him a few times and always found him to be the smartest person in the room - no-matter how crowded the room.
'The Colour of Magic' was the gateway to his sarcasmic world.
Yes, I wear a black fedora because of Terry Pratchett. He just looked so frickin' cool in it. As do I 😂.
Met him a few times and always found him to be the smartest person in the room - no-matter how crowded the room.
'The Colour of Magic' was the gateway to his sarcasmic world.
December 9, 2024 at 7:37 PM
20 books ... #8.
Yes, I wear a black fedora because of Terry Pratchett. He just looked so frickin' cool in it. As do I 😂.
Met him a few times and always found him to be the smartest person in the room - no-matter how crowded the room.
'The Colour of Magic' was the gateway to his sarcasmic world.
Yes, I wear a black fedora because of Terry Pratchett. He just looked so frickin' cool in it. As do I 😂.
Met him a few times and always found him to be the smartest person in the room - no-matter how crowded the room.
'The Colour of Magic' was the gateway to his sarcasmic world.
20 books ... #6.
I met @rodduncan.bsky.social as guest lecturer for my Masters. Because he writes borderline-steampunk alternate-history I was intrigued.
He writes like a dream - & he gave me some off-the-cuff advice that transformed my writing.
He simply said: "In your world, it does!"
I met @rodduncan.bsky.social as guest lecturer for my Masters. Because he writes borderline-steampunk alternate-history I was intrigued.
He writes like a dream - & he gave me some off-the-cuff advice that transformed my writing.
He simply said: "In your world, it does!"
December 9, 2024 at 12:11 AM
20 books ... #6.
I met @rodduncan.bsky.social as guest lecturer for my Masters. Because he writes borderline-steampunk alternate-history I was intrigued.
He writes like a dream - & he gave me some off-the-cuff advice that transformed my writing.
He simply said: "In your world, it does!"
I met @rodduncan.bsky.social as guest lecturer for my Masters. Because he writes borderline-steampunk alternate-history I was intrigued.
He writes like a dream - & he gave me some off-the-cuff advice that transformed my writing.
He simply said: "In your world, it does!"
Gratuitous self promotion!
I accidentally wrote a kids' book. I didn't know it was for children, until my mates let their kids read it!
Or, as one of the reviews put it:
"It's the perfect book for the lead up to Christmas, for children and adults." *****
It's free to read on Kindle Unlimited!
I accidentally wrote a kids' book. I didn't know it was for children, until my mates let their kids read it!
Or, as one of the reviews put it:
"It's the perfect book for the lead up to Christmas, for children and adults." *****
It's free to read on Kindle Unlimited!
December 8, 2024 at 4:40 PM
Gratuitous self promotion!
I accidentally wrote a kids' book. I didn't know it was for children, until my mates let their kids read it!
Or, as one of the reviews put it:
"It's the perfect book for the lead up to Christmas, for children and adults." *****
It's free to read on Kindle Unlimited!
I accidentally wrote a kids' book. I didn't know it was for children, until my mates let their kids read it!
Or, as one of the reviews put it:
"It's the perfect book for the lead up to Christmas, for children and adults." *****
It's free to read on Kindle Unlimited!
20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. #5.
This opened my eyes all the way.
I'd become half-ashamed of loving SF before reading this. Afterwards, I realised that it's the most important, most insightful, most optimistic genre. Reading SF is essential - do more of it!
This opened my eyes all the way.
I'd become half-ashamed of loving SF before reading this. Afterwards, I realised that it's the most important, most insightful, most optimistic genre. Reading SF is essential - do more of it!
December 7, 2024 at 7:33 PM
20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. #5.
This opened my eyes all the way.
I'd become half-ashamed of loving SF before reading this. Afterwards, I realised that it's the most important, most insightful, most optimistic genre. Reading SF is essential - do more of it!
This opened my eyes all the way.
I'd become half-ashamed of loving SF before reading this. Afterwards, I realised that it's the most important, most insightful, most optimistic genre. Reading SF is essential - do more of it!
20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. #4.
The first genuinely 'grown up' SF I'd ever read. I was loaned DV2 in my late teens by a bibliophile called Roger. He's the reason why, 40 years on, I have more books than room for - he infected me with his addiction. I'm still grateful.
The first genuinely 'grown up' SF I'd ever read. I was loaned DV2 in my late teens by a bibliophile called Roger. He's the reason why, 40 years on, I have more books than room for - he infected me with his addiction. I'm still grateful.
December 6, 2024 at 9:30 PM
20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. #4.
The first genuinely 'grown up' SF I'd ever read. I was loaned DV2 in my late teens by a bibliophile called Roger. He's the reason why, 40 years on, I have more books than room for - he infected me with his addiction. I'm still grateful.
The first genuinely 'grown up' SF I'd ever read. I was loaned DV2 in my late teens by a bibliophile called Roger. He's the reason why, 40 years on, I have more books than room for - he infected me with his addiction. I'm still grateful.
20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. #7.
My mam was given this edition of 'Alice in Wonderland' when she was 7, the year after the war ended. She read it to me when I was in hospital as a child, in the 70s. I read it to her on her deathbed when she was in her 70s.
My mam was given this edition of 'Alice in Wonderland' when she was 7, the year after the war ended. She read it to me when I was in hospital as a child, in the 70s. I read it to her on her deathbed when she was in her 70s.
December 5, 2024 at 8:39 PM
20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. #7.
My mam was given this edition of 'Alice in Wonderland' when she was 7, the year after the war ended. She read it to me when I was in hospital as a child, in the 70s. I read it to her on her deathbed when she was in her 70s.
My mam was given this edition of 'Alice in Wonderland' when she was 7, the year after the war ended. She read it to me when I was in hospital as a child, in the 70s. I read it to her on her deathbed when she was in her 70s.
20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. #3.
Bruce Pennington's cover art has been with me my whole life, it seems. The same image was, rather confusingly, also used on the Philip K. Dick book 'The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch'.
#booksky
#20daybookchallenge
Bruce Pennington's cover art has been with me my whole life, it seems. The same image was, rather confusingly, also used on the Philip K. Dick book 'The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch'.
#booksky
#20daybookchallenge
December 4, 2024 at 11:50 PM
20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. #3.
Bruce Pennington's cover art has been with me my whole life, it seems. The same image was, rather confusingly, also used on the Philip K. Dick book 'The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch'.
#booksky
#20daybookchallenge
Bruce Pennington's cover art has been with me my whole life, it seems. The same image was, rather confusingly, also used on the Philip K. Dick book 'The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch'.
#booksky
#20daybookchallenge
Let's plough on, then.
Choose 20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order.
No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
This was the first edition - still have mine, read it half a dozen times.
#booksky
#20daybookchallenge
Choose 20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order.
No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
This was the first edition - still have mine, read it half a dozen times.
#booksky
#20daybookchallenge
December 3, 2024 at 11:45 PM
Let's plough on, then.
Choose 20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order.
No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
This was the first edition - still have mine, read it half a dozen times.
#booksky
#20daybookchallenge
Choose 20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order.
No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
This was the first edition - still have mine, read it half a dozen times.
#booksky
#20daybookchallenge
Apparently we're doing this now? Okay. Since there's a Christmas on...
Choose 20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order.
No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
#booksky #20daybookchallenge
December 2, 2024 at 8:55 PM
Apparently we're doing this now? Okay. Since there's a Christmas on...
Choose 20 books that have stayed with me or influenced me. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order.
No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
#booksky #20daybookchallenge