The International Writers Magazine Editorial Sept 2026

TRAVEL

COMMENT

LIFESTYLES

REVIEWS

FICTION

Welcome to this edition of Hackwriters. 27 years on-line, 8,107 + articles - reviews - stories - travel -
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*Note for past contributors: We're still here but this is the last year online so if you have something you want to keep - now is the time to search for it and back it up. This is quite an historic document these days. 27 years of our lives ...

Editorial: September Photo: Miami Green River Underpass. Back in UK after a long period in Miami. So nice to enjoy the ocean at 29c but I suspect the fish aren't too happy about that. Only in my last week did the Pelicans arrive back and they dive bomb into the water right beside you as you swim and they bob along the top of the waves.

Cost of living there escalates relentlessly but I guess most Americans earn enough to cope with it. The skyline is changing relentlessly as supertall condo towers shoot up everywhere. (Current limit is 1049 feet). I worry about the weight it imposes on a city already at sea level. But luckily they firmly believe climate change is a hoax, so any flooding is merely an illusion.

This summer I didn't write but read lots of books, which was a mixed pleasure but necessary to see what other people are thinking about. I can't recall them all but I started with 'Yesteryear' by Caro Claire Burke which starts of with caustic wit then decends into bitterness. Then I tackled 'Biological War - A Scenario' by Annie Jacobson. This non-fiction book follows the exact same formula as her 'Nuclear War - A Scenario' with diminishing returns, as the many research asides interrupt the narrative flow. Nevertheless expertly researched and terrifying and as all the scare stories about AI lately abound, imminently possible.

For light relief I tackled a Brandon Sanderson fantasy 'Yumi and the Nightmare Painter'. I suspect there is a factory of AI assistant elves churning all these complex stories somewhere. To restore balance I then bought 'Children of Wolves' by Lawrence Osborne. It's very reminiscent of 'The Talented Mr Ripley' full of louche young rich wastrels and wannabe revolutionaries but set on the Turkish coast. I think there were a few more books but then I got distracted watching SILO - a brillant TV series. If you haven't yet started there are three seasons to enjoy.

Maybe AI will write all the fiction in future - my niece certainly thinks so and is planning a three-book triology to launch next year with the help of Claude et al. Sadly I will be left behind with my hammer and chisel carving out one word at a time.

I recently have taken a decision to shake my life up a bit and travel more – see different people. The snag with this is the cost and time limits of travel insurance, travel itself and accommodation. But one step at a time I guess.

Meanwhile, the war against Iran continues and is growing into a worldwide problem as prices rise of literally everything. Petrol is edging close to £1.70 a litre and Diesel almost £2 pounds a litre in the UK. The mid-terms in the USA will be 'interesting' and no doubt the Republicans will do all they can to prevent an adverse result and call it rigged, even though they will be ones rigging it. And in the UK, crypto billionaires believe they can change the government to their advantage by backing Reform. Whilst in Europe the rise of the Far Right seems to be unstoppable. Politics are toxic. It's hard to see the near future with any kind of hope. Maybe AI will come to the rescue right and just turn us all off...

Thanks for being Hackreaders and Hackwriters for the last 27 years.
May your future be bright – but not too bright – at least wear a hat and sunscreen.
all the best
Sam Hawksmoor 09.15.26

*As mentioned before Hackwriters is coming to an end soon. So if you want to save any articles. Do so now. Use the search engine and it will find it.

Saving Shannon: A Dying Town, A Falling Star, A Closely Guarded Secret Take a look – it’s on Kindle and in Print in all Amazon territories. UK versions*ebook available now in print paperback For USA enter Amazon.com Check out my new novel ‘Saving Shannon’ – a good year in the making but mostly completed in Miami earlier this year. 'When a huge meteor slams into the mountain near Bryce, the ridge is transformed into a hellscape of steam and fire. The locals, ageing ex-miners in a dying town, are cut off from communications with the outside and gripped by rumors that it was an alien spaceship that crashed to earth. People are vanishing and alien activity is suspected. Then the army arrives and intend to round everyone up for 'tests'. Why? What is going in this small forgotten town...' With many thanks to Kitty who advised throughout the writing process and completed the finished design. PS: I like the new more environmental paper KDP are using. Feels so much easier to turn pages.

*
A new novel from Sam Hawksmoor - Saving Shannon
- A Dying Town, A Falling Star, A Closely Guarded Secret
Author of The Days After She Went Dancing and The Repossession of Genie Magee series.

*Sam Hawksmoor's new mystery novel set in Spain is out now on Kindle and print. The Days After She Went Dancing Flamenco Can Be Murder! 'an intriquing, atmospheric novel (tinged with sadness)' Amazon review 1st Chapter here Backstory to the writing of the new novel here Catch up with Sara Troy's interview with Sam Hawksmoor here.

*Sales of Sam North's and Sam Hawksmoor's books help keep Hackwriters archived.
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 Genie wakes up with a head injury from serious car wreck. She has no memory of the crash, or who she is. 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.

An extraordinary 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 -
Magenta - A chilling story of kidnapping, burning and strangeness set in the wilds of Lincolnshire

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 Repercussions of Tomas D - 'best time travel WW2 story in a long while'

'The Heaviness' betrayal, revenge, and the laws of gravity. Genie & Renée have just 36 hours to save Rian... 'Without a doubt, one of the best YA Sci Fi series out there.' Evie Seo - Bookish * Also published as Rüya by Marti Yayincilik - 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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