The International Writers Magazine Editorial April 2018

TRAVEL

COMMENT

LIFESTYLES

REVIEWS

FICTION

Welcome to this 2018 edition of Hackwriters. Read our amazing archives. 19 years on-line, 7500+ articles - reviews - stories - travel - share any feature you like and pass them on using the links.
We are in archive mode right now and not currently taking submissions - with only sporadic additions

Editorial: April in Calpe 2018

April is a month of hope in the northern hemisphere. Winter finally goes and blossom signifies renewal. Politically it doesn't look great. Trump is determined to undermine the world economy and has surrounded himself with like minded extremists, such as Bolton, who will all look at him with shining eyes and say 'Yes Master' at every crazy idea he has. China has just responded to the tarriff war and it could escalate to a point of no return. Meanwhile the US debt rises with every day and those same kids who are marching against guns in the USA will be the ones to pay dearly for Trump's economic follies down the road. Even worse to think it is entirely possible he will be re-elected in 2020. James Campion is bored of Trump already and I have to agree with him.

On March 29th we hit that one year to go mark on Brexit. I was at an recent interview with David Davies, the Brexit Minister, who affirmed to all the 'leavers' there that no matter what - we are leaving. It can't be reversed. He seemed optimistic we would get a deal. I'm less optimistic. The UK post Brexit will be vulnerable to so many things and I'm not sure we have the courage or resources to face them. So taking my cue from that, I went to look for a place to live in Spain. Madness on my part, but the way I look at it, with the next election bringing in a Corbyn/Momentum Stalinist regime - if I'm going to be poor and miserable - at least let me be warm, poor and miserable. The Spanish government might want to be rid of 1.2 million Brits or make healthcare very expensive, but then again it would cause quite an economic rift in large parts of Spain. Whilst in Calpe I discovered the Valencia region is worried that Madrid will impose 3 month visas on Brits post-Brexit and restrict access to healthcare and that could make the regional economy crash. (If the Brits sell up or stop coming). My own reaction was that I didn't like the taxes on property (10% of the purchase price plus another 3% for Legal and Notary) and if you peg it - 40% tax for death duties on the property. Just seems a tad excessive to me. Spain remains a great place for a vacation but I think too much of a financial risk for me right now. I saw one home that was described to me as 'brand new' but turned out to be 9 years old! In fact there were two villa's for sale at a reduced price, but if it takes 9 years to sell a house is it worth anything? Many will disagree and buy homes there but we shall see. One thing is for sure, there were an enormous amount of German's there this month. Perhaps they will replace the Brits and buy up the villas?

Found in a Spanish newspaper. A healthy warning to wash your hands!!

Altea has no beach to talk of but there's a tiny harbour and little restaurant worth popping into before or after canoeing

Alicante airport is modern and friendly and well connected to the motorway and even trains. I rented a Fiat 500 from Centuro and paid extra for the 'smart' insurance as I didn't want to leave a deposit of 1000 Euros on my credit card. It makes renting more expensive but to be honest you need good insurance on Spanish roads. Everyone drives like Alonso! The Fiat beeped warnings every time I went over 120 kph which was a tad annoying, but a good reminder to stick to the speed limit.

Meanwhile there's still tons to read in our archives - and it's well worth exploring. You never know what you will find.

Happy April readers - let the trade wars begin.

Do explore our archives - there is bound to be something you'd enjoy and want to share with someone.

© Sam Hawksmoor April 2018
Be one of the first to read: Girl with Cat (Blue)
'London doesn't exist; has never existed and those who say it does are liars... '
An exploration of the multiverse you always thought might be there - just out of reach...

*As ever Hackwriters is supported by sales of our books - so do buy, print or kindle, we aren't picky.
The Sam North Novels - still available to order on Lulu or Amazon
** The Heaviness, Another Place to Die: Endtime Chronicles are recommended also read The Repercussions of Tomas D

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

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 edition of 'ANOTHER PLACE TO DIE: ENDTIME CHRONICLES By Sam Hawksmoor and Sam North 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 West - 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 'This is Man in the High Castle for teens and scarily plausible with alternative facts ' *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 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. If you enjoyed it, please post a remark on Amazon or Goodreads. It all helps. * Now published as Rüya by Marti Yayincilik - The Turkish publishers of TOZ & Golge

Share |

• Back to Index

© Hackwriters.com 1999 - 2018 - (19 years from beginning to end)
We are Carbon Neutral

FICTION . TRAVEL . LIFESTYLES - REVIEWS