In my blog of October 2025, I made a commitment to you to produce a series of posts regarding some of the authors I admire. You will recall Kurt Vonnegut opened this ledger. The second instalment on Haruki Murakami was curtailed, as it was published in a journal – the wonderful Jimmy Hornet Magazine. Hence it is only now that I’m getting things back on track with this brief profile of Stephen King. Let me know what you think. Stephen King has been called many things over the

Is he an avid book club reader or someone more sinister?   If you’re a writer or self-published author, chances are you’ve received an email that looks something like this:   Dear [Your Author Name], We loved your book and would like to feature it in our exclusive book club with thousands of engaged readers…   What usually follows in an AI synopsis of your book, probably sourced from Amazon or even your own website. At first glance, it feels like validation. Like someone has

Writing fiction is a bit like embarking on a journey without a map. You know the destination - a compelling story that grips readers - but the path can be winding, full of surprises, and sometimes downright confusing. Over the years, I’ve learned that mastering fiction writing isn’t about luck or inspiration alone. It’s about honing specific skills and techniques that bring your stories to life. So, if you’re ready to dive into the world of storytelling, let’s explore some pr

Here is a short story for you. You may have seen something like this before. 'The Importance of Water' was one of the most loved short stories from my 2025 Collection: ' Read My Shorts '. This version is condensed from the original. I hope, if you've read the previous version, that you still find the condensed story equally impactful. I'd love to hear what you think. An adorable Cockapoo puppy (Image: Chatgpt) The Importance of Water. The twins begin their pleading as soon as

The unjustly accused 'Fluffy' in Xmas regalia. (Source: Shutterstock) Celebrate the season with a little storytelling magic. This Christmas, I’m sharing a free short story with you. No sign-ups, no catches, just a festive gift to you. It’s a distinctly Aussie tale wrapped in warmth, wonder, and a touch of mischief, written to offer a moment of escape during the busiest time of year. Whether you’re curled up with a cup of something warm, downing a coldie or stealing a quiet br

Image: The new collection of short fiction from Australian author and story teller - Pete Mitchell (Source: Pete Mitchell) Pete Mitchell author, Australian short stories, short fiction collection, book launch, Bunbury, independent author   A New Collection of Short Fiction I’m thrilled to announce the release of my latest book, Read My Shorts: A Collection of Short Fiction . Spanning themes of love and loss, contentment and discontent, resilience and regret, these stories exp

This is the first in a series of articles, to be featured on this blog, profiling some of the authors I admire and from whom I draw inspiration. The catalyst for the first of these was the quote below that was used in an article by Nikki Gemmel in The Weekend Australian Magazine (18-19 October 2025).* The Call to the Arts ‘Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way of making a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable…’ In an age dominated

Image: The Wonderful Northcliffe Pioneer Museum (Source: Southern Forests) Some of the best stories come from the least likely places. They’re tucked into small towns, hidden along quiet trails, just waiting for someone to notice. On my trek along the iconic Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia, I found one such place: Northcliffe, a town of fewer than 800 people, 628 kilometres south from Kalamunda, the start of my walk. The Magic of Small-Town Hospitality After weeks of sle

When I first started writing fiction, I thought characters were just placeholders for the plot. Boy, was I wrong. Characters are the...

Image: A pensive purveyor of fan fiction considers his next step (Source: Wix) Fan fiction refers to stories created by fans that use...

Image: Justice may be blind - but should readers? (Source: Google) I loved reading Raynor Winn’s 'The Salt Path'. It’s a compelling...

Image: Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the Opera House in the background, resplendent in Pride colours (Source: Google freestock) There’s a...

Image: A fraction of my 'to be read' pile (Source: Pete Mitchell) Finding your next great read can feel overwhelming with so many options...

Image: An imagined image of a quote by the Turkish/British writer and philosopher Elif Shafak (Source: Chatgpt) In age dominated by...

Image: Promotional poster for the 1981 movie BladeRunner. (Source: Warner Bros.) One of my favourite movies from the 1980s is Blade...