The International Writers Magazine Editorial AUGUST 2025

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Welcome to this edition of Hackwriters. 26 years on-line, 8,083 + articles - reviews - stories - travel -
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Welcome: A Worry Free Summer?

August is supposed to be a time away from politics. A time to relax before facing the parlous reality of economics.  But August is also a time when wars start – notably WW1, WW2, Korea War (1950) with many fatal choices with great consequences for humanity. Now a meeting with Putin that does nothing but give the Russian leader a halo. Trump is enthralled by the man. No cease fire, no peace but on Putin's terms, which is no peace at all.

Maybe we should re-evaluate Trump's tariffs as a declaration of war by other means. Certainly Canada, Switzerland and South Africa must sense they are at war with 30% plus tariffs. Brazil at 50% certainly sees this as an act of war. Americans will see that cost in their coffee soon enough.

Reality hasn’t taken a break in Gaza. It is time to admit that Israel is committing genocide, openly starving the Palestinians and shooting dead those who have the temerity to approach the ‘humanitarian aid’ with their empty bowls. France has recognised the Palestinian State (not that much of it is left) and the UK is contemplating the same.
Is there a way to end this destruction and start re-construction? (And I'm not talking about a Trump resort on Gaza beach). It could take decades for Israel to regain its reputation - if ever, if it doesn't stop soon - never mind take the West Bank as well. Meanwhile Hamas is holding all the Palestinians hostage and probably stealing their food aid.

The EPA in the USA has just abolished the science behind climate change. May the next hurricane sweep through DC and remind them of reality. Nature will fight back and we will lose this battle if we pretend it doesn't exist. *Worth noting that China is still building new coal-fired power stations to power all those 'clean' electric cars.

As for all the relentless thousands of economic migrants that come to the UK in their Chinese made inflatables, supplied by the evil people trafficers, what of them? If you’re looking for an explanation as to why they come, ask yourself which would you choose – a migrant camp on a crowded French beach or a four-star hotel in the UK?  Perhaps one deterrent PM Starmer might consider instead of luxury hotels could be tents pitched in Foula in the Shetlands instead. One week in winter there and they'll all clamour to be repatriated.

Farage, who has ambitions to be PM, has suggested he’d send them all to El Salvador, along with British criminals, but why not go the whole way and use the Falkland Islands. I’m sure the locals would like some job opportunities. Oh yeah, not sure we have a navy large enough to transport them. Do we even have one troopship? I suspect not.

The cost of living is a big issue now. I've been booking a short holiday in Europe in September but yikes everything has spiralled upwards. Hotels, trains, (I won't fly) everything is more than last year. I'd like to go for longer but it's imposible. I’ll have to bite the bullet I guess to enjoy France as planned, but I was reading in the New York Times that 40% of the French can’t afford to go on holiday in their own country. I guess they wouldn’t appreciate that we consider them to be already on holiday just by living there.

I have just read and enjoyed Money - A story of humanity by David McWilliams - flash through 5000 years of history and how the development of money and 'trust' led to the rise of civilisation, art and war. One learns the true reason for the decline for the Roman Empire - the corruption of money as less and less silver was used in their coins. It's a fascinating history and how I wish this book was used to teach and enthuse kids to learn history.

Meanwhile here in my garden the tomatoes have all ripened at once in the heatwave, the beans have begun to show. Have a happy and peaceful August. And perhaps save a memory for all those that died in the atomic bombings in Japan 80 years ago.

© Sam Hawksmoor - August 25th 2025

*my new mystery novel set in Spain is out now on Kindle and print. The Days After She Went Dancing Flamenco Can Be Murder! PS you can read for free on booksprout if you are quick and prepared to leave a review. 1st Chapter here Backstory to the writing of the new novel here

A Cure for Sceptics - Is it a scam or for real? - an extract from the mystery novel
by Sam North - ebook only
ISBN-13: 9781445255606

*Sales of Sam North's and Sam Hawksmoor's books help keep Hackwriters alive. Sam Hawksmoor's Books below

Whatever Happened to Genie Magee?

Whatever Happened to Genie Magee? • Sam Hawksmoor - Published 2025 ASIN ‏: B0DZTLNJHW ISBN-13: 978-1-7385181-1-1 USA Amazon link In a world where rich people want to live forever - a girl who never seems to age would be a tempting target. Her DNA would be very valuable indeed... Genie wakes up with a head injury from serious car wreck. She has no memory of the crash, or who she is. It appears this might have been a kidnap gone wrong. The abrasions on her wrists indicated she was tied up in the back of the burning vehicle. As she begins to recover her identity, she accidentally discovers a graphic novel is serializing her life, in horrific detail.  Her therapist is deeply skeptical this could be true and worries for her sanity. But all she can think of is, why is this happening to her? And how can she stop them? No 4: In The Repossession of Genie Magee series ...

The Restoration of Ami: ASIN: B0CVQMH78C - Kindle ISBN: 978-1-7385181-0-4 - Print UK Pub: Hammer & Tong/KDP 2.29.24 Remy has one last obsession – to complete the restoration of his ’57 Studebaker Golden Hawk.  He’s planned a road trip to Montreal to find a part he desperately needs. It’s a long way from Florida; his Chevy truck is almost as old as he is. At the very first urgent stop in the pouring rain, a dog appears from nowhere and jumps into his truck, quickly followed by a drenched teen. Scared, the girl, Ami, urgently needs a ride. She has escaped from a nearby religious cult and is desperate to find the mother who abandoned her there when she was just five years old. One old man, a troubled teenage girl and Stan the dog are on a road trip into MAGA America. With each mile they travel Montreal seems to get further away. 'Fabulous, can't-put-down story with quirky, original characters, a loveable dog and a great adventure'. ***** Roxy West on Goodreads.

A MAGA Road Trip by Sam Hawkmoor

The Book of Ashes • Sam Hawksmoor ISBN: 979-8-837434-952 ASIN: B0B85HFK86 Hammer & Tong - print and kindle 'an immensely satisfying story' - Walli Leff on Goodreads. 'a fun read with unique elements ... exemplary in its voice and style' 'Judge, 10th Annual Writer's Digest E-Book Awards An extract from the Book of Ashes		The Book of Ashes - Some secrets are meant to be kept forever The Case: Delaney and Asha run their own investigation company now. Hired to find a writer who stiffed a client of $10,000 - things go bad pretty fast. "This was supposed to be a simple track and trace job. Find the writer, bank the money. Now it's a horror show."

'We Feel Your Pain' by Sam Hawksmoor ISBN-13: 979-8699087693 Published by Hammer & Tong Print & Kindle Book One in the Delaney & Asha series		We Feel Your Pain – So you don’t have to. The Case: Delaney (42) and Asha (22) run the Office of Berg City Oversight. Their role is to expose the scams, keep the city safe from unscrupulous people.  When something looks too good to be true – it’s a scam, right?  But what if the scam works?  What kind of scam is that?

MISSION LONGSHOT: how far will you go to save one life? 2024: Honorable Mention in the Purple Dragonfly Awards (Sci Fi) Gerry is convinced aliens are going to attack on Millennium Eve - Y2K night. Everyone else is preparing for the end of civilisation. That night only Gerry notices aliens land. He and his spacenut pals Jolene and Kali race to be the first to greet them... 'Climate change, lost alien civilisations, adventures in deep space. Great fun with endearing characters'. Kitty Thomas

The Sam North Novels - still available to order Amazon or Lulu - catch A Cure for Sceptics *New 2025

*Keeping Hackwriters archived is supported by sales of our books - so do buy, print or kindle, we aren't picky.
Magenta - A chilling story of kidnapping, burning and strangeness set in the wilds of Lincolnshire

** The Heaviness, & The Repercussions of Tomas D - 'best time travel WW2 story in a long while'

The new edition of 'ANOTHER PLACE TO DIE: ENDTIME CHRONICLES By Sam Hawksmoor & Sam North There's no safe place to hide from a lethal pandemic Print & Kindle - Q&A interview with the authors here A city gripped by fear. 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. a taster here The Last Ferry Review from the First Edition: 'Beautiful, plausible, and sickeningly addictive, Another Place to Die: Endtime will terrify you, thrill you, and make you petrified of anyone who comes near you...' Roxy West - Amazon.co.uk

Girl with Cat (Blue) - Shortlisted for the Rubery International Book Award 'a funny, bloody, colorful narrative that never fails to surprise the reader. Girl with Cat (Blue) provides great entertainment'. * Screenplay a quarter-finalist in the Screencraft competition 2024

'This book was amazing! I was hooked from the first few pages and couldn't put the book down.' Judge, 26th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. - Honorable Mention

J&K 4Ever - A post-apocalypse love story 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.   'A genuine romance in a bleak but plausible and terrifying setting'.

J&K 4Ever

MARIKKA- exclusively on Amazon Print only 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, and you will struggle to read the words through your tears. Gemma Williams - Amazon.co.uk

Spy/Romance thriller set during the Blitz in WW2 - Kindle download 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 ' *download the Kindle version or buy the paperback from Hammer & Tong

'The Heaviness' betrayal, revenge, relationships and the laws of gravity. 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 * Also published as Rüya by Marti Yayincilik - The Turkish publishers of TOZ & Golge Part 2: The Hunting of Genie Magee - fight for the right to exist

Sara Troy interviews Sam Hawksmoor on Self Discovery Wisdom

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