The International Writers Magazine February Editorial 2017

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Welcome to this February edition of Hackwriters. Read us and our amazing archives too. 18 years on-line, 7386 articles - reviews - stories - travel - share any feature you like and pass them on using the links.

*RIP Stuart McLean - One of Canada's most loved raconteurs - The Vinyl Cafe is now finally closed 15.02.2017

Hackwriters is happily cited by HelloTravel.com as "TOP JOURNALISM/NARRATIVES TRAVEL BLOGS 2016"
Editorial: Feb 2017

So are you surprised President Trump has kept his promises so far?  You shouldn’t be.  You can question as to whether he is right to dismantle healthcare, international trade, remove women’s rights over their bodies and hire old greedy white billionaires to run the country, but plus ca change as they say.  Old greedy white guys are all he’s ever known, so he’s not exactly going to call up your average community organiser is he.  Reap the whirlwind and think back to the last time ‘protectionism’ was centre stage in the American economy. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1930 introduced by President Hoover after the Wall Street crash – destroyed foreign trade.  After that the rest of 1930’s didn’t really work out so well for the world.  1932 unemployment reached 25% in the USA  (pretty much where Greece is now).  He also supported prohibition which significantly increased crime and graft right across America.

Now there's the banning of refugees (for 90 days) from countries Trump doesn't like, the demonisation of Muslims has started. He's doing ISIS' work all for them. Let's Make American Hate Again writ large. Sadly this is just what those who voted for him wanted to happen. There is a balance to be struck by the Supreme Court however and the contraints of the Constituion should help bring things into equilibrium.

Trump will make his own mistakes. Ask James Campion about Alternative Facts in our February issue for example. In Trumpworld the Moon really is made of cheese. The ideal of making everything American needs within its borders is not unreasonable, as long as what everyone wants is American. But what if you want a Jaguar or BMW?  What if you prefer an Airbus jet to a Boeing?  Will there be penalties for your choice?  Most probably and that’s where the downward spiral will begin. But as James Campion suggests there's No 'Do-Overs' he's here to stay.

Will the wall to Mexico get built?  Most likely.  Mexico will pay for it in the collapse of its manufacturing as a 20% tax is applied, and unless it puts an effort into exporting to the rest of the world it is toast. 81 percent of Mexican exports go to the USA.  That’s a tough ask to replace all that, but they may have to and the social upheaval will put pressure on an already shaky law and order situation there.  Canada is in the same boat.  Already California is objecting to British Columbia allowing only BC wine to be sold in their supermarkets and wants to force Californian wine onto BC.  It’s not a fair deal as California has thousands of vineyards and BC just a few.  Canada might start to lose its manufacturing base as work is transferred back across the border by the US companies that own their factories.  Two trillion dollars in annual trade between the two countries is at stake here.
Canada and Mexico shares are a sell right now. 

It might be that TPP gets rescued as the rest who were to sign up to it persevere and China may step in to the USA’s boots.  If so – that’s where the damage to the US economy will start.  Isolation and protection – election buzzwords that appeal to those who feel they have been let down by globalisation – but dangerous when actually implemented and that’s where we are headed.  What you can hear is the sound of doors are closing both in the USA and in the UK and we really don’t have a clue as to what the future will look like ten years from now.

Meanwhile – here we are at the start of the Chinese New Year of the Rooster. Rooster years are all about keeping up appearances they say.  Even as the chickens lose their heads.  You are warned. Our Spanish correspondent keeps us up to date with what is happening in Spain. Catalonia still wants to leave the rest of the country.

On a personal note it seems it takes almost a month to get rid of this coughing virus that has swept across the UK and Europe.  Hospitals have been overwhelmed everywhere and I’d be interested to see the mortality rate – there were times there when death hovered whilst I coughed my lungs out.  One of my students reckons that for the Queen to have survived this virus she had to have been replaced by a robot.  I'm inclined to agree. It’s a real killer. As I write this some hospitals in the UK have cancelled operations until April they are so strapped for staff, money and space as bed-blocking is beginning to cripple their abilities to function. As a nation we are getting old and no one has a clue how to deal with this. In my family we took care of our old. I'm old fashioned enough to think that was the right thing to do. But I have no family of my own – so with luck I just won't get old.

Happy New Year. If you spot any articles on the front page you like - do share them.

© Sam North Feb 14th 2017 Update

I might suggest that you now order our book J&K 4Ever - for a vision of America fifty years from now. Be warned America in 2067 isn't a very friendly place. Order now for 2017 essential reading.
© Sam North & Sam Hawksmoor

read J & K Forever – Together we live or we die.
(A beautiful love story but also a terrifying glimpse of our future) DK
See any article you like – please share it. More to come as the month progresses.

*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: Endtime Chronicles are recommended.
The spy/romance Repercussions of Tomas D set in the Blitz has a small following now. Spread the word.

Discussing Movies - Brent Marchant & Sam Hawksmoor on Self Discovery Radio with Sara Troy
Just entertainment or inspiration?
SOUND FILE 29.11.2016

New in 2016: J&K 4Ever - Love and Devotion in the Wastelands Sixty years after the end of everything the city of Bluette survives, controlled by a malignant sect.  A place where men rule, girls receive no education and are matched at 16 to the highest bidder.  No one is ever permitted to leave the city and outside is a murderous wasteland of despair. Orphans Kruge and Jeyna have been devoted to each other through all the years of terror in this harsh regime and sworn never to be parted.  But the beautiful Jeyna has been betrayed by the Warden. Kruge has been swiftly banished to the Scraps, under the control of the Keeper. Jeyna is heartbroken; she will not accept her fate and escapes to find Kruge.  She is pursued by ruthless Enforcers on horseback, whose task it is to bring runaways back, dead or alive. 'A genuine romance in a bleak but plausible and terrifying setting'.

J&K 4Ever Sam Hawksmoor

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. * Just sold to Marti Y - The Turkish publishers of TOZ & Golge

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