The International Writers Magazine February Editorial 2016

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Mr Trouble reading the Sunday Papers

Welcome: February Editorial: Last week was all doom and gloom. Stock markets crashing, oil crashing, banks crashing - this week begins with everything back up again. You have to have nerves of steel in these times. No place for someone with a dickey heart. So Mr T has come to the rescue with his annual visit to the beach where he loves to chase seagulls. (I dread to think of what they would do to him if he caught one) So nice to see a dog just happy to live, run and play - not to mention chew socks, every bit of tissue paper he can find and toss grapes up into the air - his speciality. He doesn't care a fig about shares. Say something positive says my sister back in Canada. Of course she would say that, running Positive Living – but staying upbeat has been a battle so far this year. Right now there is a distinct danger of Brexit and the UK leaving Europe. This is a lot like holding your nose and jumping off a cliff into a dark pit. You wouldn't do it unless there was a gun to your back but ... Wierdly I think although the UK will suffer being out, Europe will suffer more in the long run. I wonder who will become the next whipping boy for France and Germany?

The endless rise of Trump defies logic – but suddenly you gain insight into how demagoguery mesmerizes. The American economy is doing well, growing even, as Trump keeps telling voters all is doomed. Right now Trump rides high with a decisive win in New Hampshire and South Carolina, as Bernie Sanders threatens Hilary everywere. Everyone else is just an also ran. But this is not a great prospect for the future, as the Pope would say. A madman vs self-proclaimed socialist (the very word socialist brings the average American's out in hives and witchhunts). Bernie would be considered a totally normal politician in Canada or Europe, of course. Universal healthcare should be every American's right - it's hard to explain why so many Republican voters who are in the main old, white and poor wouldn't want that. Would be interesting to see Bloomberg enter the race now and be the first Independent to win and break the Republican/ Democrat duopoly of power. He has the money but the will for the fight?

Meanwhile as reported by our Spanish correspondent, Spain is in a complete political mess with no one it seems able to take power after an indecisive election. Even more odd, the worlds’ media have failed to notice that a major economy in Europe is in total meltdown. It's shocking how little attention is being paid to Spain and the ramifications of a Podemos control of the key ministries.  A decision has to be taken by Feb 28th. Worse, it turns out that Iran has been financing the extreme left-wing Podemos party in Spain.

** As of 3.2.16 the Spanish King has requested the Socialists form a government with Podemos and on 15.02.16 released a 300 page list of demands to take Spain into some galaxy far left of Syriza in Greece and inevitable total bankruptcy.
Sell, sell, sell.

Any comment on the fate of migrants draws such hostility from liberals – it’s hard to point out that uncontrolled migration is a ‘bad’ thing in Europe and UK putting enormous pressure on housing, healthcare, education and infrastructure, not to mention police.  With another two million expected to cross the Mediterranean this year one cannot see it ending ‘nicely’.  Clearly having Russia bombing civilians and hospitals in Syria on Assad’s behalf doesn’t help, nor seeing Turkey murdering Kurds and raising their towns. If we want to stop them coming then Assad has to be removed from power.  By any means.  And then billions spent on rebuilding the country he has devastated.  But until then, and its getting increasingly unlikely he will ever be defeated, they will keep coming… and tensions will continue to rise, as will the far right politicians in Europe. Europe it will always be corrupt until all the crooks in Brussels who waste trillions of Euros on useless projects, roads and airports that never open are held to account. Sanity is needed over borders and benefits. I wonder what the British people will decide in June. In or out? The Brexit camp is confident despite much infighting. Photo: © Sam North Nacreous clouds over Lincolnshire Clouds laden with ice crystals 2.2.16

So let’s hope that this February more miracles happen, the weather improves, your health is good and let it be known I am boycotting the Oscars because it is only shown at 3am in the morning on a channel I don’t have and to be honest I don’t see how you can compare The Big Short to The Revenant anyway.  For me, The Big Short was fun and explained a lot about the mess we are all in and The Revenant was harrowing in detail and an impressive bit of filmmaking whilst Trumbo, in it's attention to detail or authenticity wasn't a patch on LA Confidential.  The past was never glorious and eternally unforgiving. And everyone smoked. Eww.

More to come, but enjoy this month’s Hackwriters.  There’s more to come as we go forward.

© Sam Hawksmoor - Joint Editor February 2016
*As ever Hackwriters is supported by sales of our books - so do buy, print or kindle we aren't picky.
**And thanks for those who do. The Heaviness, Another Place to Die: The Endtime Chronicles are recommended. Buy the spy/romance Repercussions of Tomas D set in the Blitz first. You know you want to. Check out Marikka published by Hammer & Tong
*** A new title coming along this March with luck

MARIKKA- exclusively on Amazon Print and kindle 2 Based on a tragic real life event, Marikka flees from an arson attack on her home to the sea, where she meets Starfish boy – a runaway working for Jackson, a scarred man hiding a sinister secret from the world. Meanwhile her real father searches for her with the aide of Anya, ‘the girl who can read objects’. More about the writing of this book ‘Long after my tears dried, my heart stayed with Marikka, Starfish Boy and the strange girl who reads objects.’ CT You will smile, you will gasp with shock, and you will struggle to read the words through your tears. Gemma Williams - Amazon.co.uk 2015

The all new 2nd Edition of 'ANOTHER PLACE TO DIE: ENDTIME CHRONICLES By Sam Hawksmoor and Sam North (2015 version) Could you live in a world where antibiotics no longer work? Print & Kindle Q&A interview with the authors here A city gripped by fear as a lethal virus approaches from the East. No one knows how many are dying. People are petrified of being thrown into quarantine. Best friends Kira and Liz once parted are scared they will never see each other again. Teen lovers, Chris and Rachel, prepare to escape to the islands. Do you stay and hide, or do you flee? Review from the First Edition: 'Beautiful, plausible, and sickeningly addictive, Another Place to Die will terrify you, thrill you, and make you petrified of anyone who comes near you...' Roxy Williams - Amazon.co.uk

Spy/Romance thriller set during the Blitz in WW2 - Kindle download All proceeds go to keeping Hackwriters going The Repercussions of Tomas D A Hero? Or Englands Greatest Traitor? USA Paperback here 'Disturbing and very poignant YA love story that presents a chilling alternate future for an England that lost the war.' Marcel d'Agneau 'A brilliant imagining of living in the Blitz, well researched.' Amazon UK *download the Kindle version or buy the paperback from Hammer & Tong

'The Heaviness' for any reader who likes to think about such things as betrayal, revenge, relationships and the laws of gravity. An original Genie Magee story The Heaviness published by Hammer and Tong Genie & Renée have just 36 hours to save Rian or he dies 'Without a doubt, one of the best YA Sci Fi series out there.' Evie Seo Bookish Kindle & print Thanks to readers who have been buying this title this year. If you enjoyed it, please post a remark on Amazon or Goodreads. It all helps.

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