  | Well, great news came in overnight from the USA. The 20th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards were announced and both the books I entered were named as Finalists. Yes, Harry's Grail was a Finalist in the Crime Fiction category, joining its two predecessors in the awards universe. And the anthology project, Romy Lives, put together by myself and Vern Smith was a Finalist in the anthology category. A real credit to all the authors who had stories in the collection. Cheers, ABP |  |
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 On this day, ANZAC Day, when we as Australians and New Zealanders commemorate our veterans, it is so important to remember that their sacrifice, in blood and suffering, is what we owe our freedom to. For those who returned from the front lines of conflict, the suffering often endured a lifetime for them, as it does for veterans to this day. The freedom they defended is the vital freedom that so many now take for granted and do not appreciate, but it is the freedom that enables us to live our lives, enjoy our rights, and bathe in freedom of speech and ideas. The same freedom that many would take from us, both adversaries outside our country and self-interested control-centred people and groups within our country. We should always remember two things: (1) that freedom is not free of cost, and (2) that we must strive to keep our freedom at all costs. My own ANZAC tribute is to dedicate a blog, as I have done in recent years, to both my grandfathers, who fought for the Australian Army in the World Wars, defending those freedoms. My paternal grandfather was Gordon Reginald Patterson and he went to the Western Front in 1917. He turned 18 six days before he enlisted. Private Patterson then joined the Australian Army Infantry in the trenches in northern France and Belgium for all the horrors that entailed. He came back to Australia in 1919. He died when my father was only 6 years old. His photo is below (at left), and I can see my father in his face. My maternal grandfather was George Harwood Smith and he went to the second World War in 1941, as a 39 year old (although his enlistment paper say he was 31, so perhaps he faked his age). He served with the Australian Army Motor Transport in Indonesia. When the Allied forces in Java surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, Private Smith went into the infamous Japanese POW camp at Changi in Singapore, where he remained a prisoner until the end of the war. I have finally found photos of him from 1941, one of which is below (at right). I can't begin to even imagine the horrors both my grandfathers endured. But I can be forever grateful for what we now enjoy, thanks to the sacrifice of them and millions of other Allied service personnel. Rest in peace, my grandfathers, and thank you for your service and your sacrifice. I wish I could thank you both in person. Lest we forget. Cheers, ABP
It's always an incredibly special day for an author when the boxes of your new book arrive. And today, in Sydney, they did. Yes, Harry Kenmare PI is back, in superb style and as debauched as always! So, the official launch event will be on the postponed date of Sunday 16 November 2025 at the Glebe Hotel (the Emerald Bar for Harry!). With the printing issue and the uncertainty that flowed from that, it wasn't feasible to proceed with the original launch date, as I never thought the books would arrive in time. Unexpectedly they have, but not in time to allow for publicity and advance notice for people's diaries. I'll post again in the next few days with the booking link for those who want to come along and celebrate with a drink and lots of author talk! In the meantime, those in Australia who want a signed paperback, drop me a line to arrange. Cheers, ABP
Yes, the wait is over and Harry's Grail is officially available today. In Australia, the ebook is on Kindle and Kobo already, with other platforms to follow. Kindle is also live for the UK and Canada, with the US version about to come online. Also the print-on-demand paperbacks are available from Amazon, especially useful for my overseas fans. These are available on Amazon AU, Amazon US and Amazon CA, with Amazon UK still coming. Other platforms to follow, as well. The print run for the original paperbacks here in Aus is underway and they will be with me in two weeks. Then the official book launch event here in Sydney on 19 October 2025! So, local fans can get a signed copy from me as soon as they arrive, or there's Amazon if you can't wait! HARRY IS BACK!!! Cheers, ABP
Hell Yes!!! Just to tease my fans with an update - Harry's Grail has been typeset and I've given approval for production. It'll be available as an ebook first, then digital print-on-demand. That should be in the next few days. The original paperbacks will be a little longer. I'll keep you posted. This is the exciting phase of being an author! Cheers, ABP
Finally, Harry's Grail is imminent. The third novel in the series is jam-packed with action, on all fronts! |
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“In celebration of indie fiction authors”
It was in this month ten years ago, June 2015, that I published my first novel, Harry’s World. It had taken me the preceding five years to write it, doing so as my second job. Now, ten years on, I am still writing for my passion, and, alas, still doing another job, the one that pays the bills. So, the writing is much slower than I’d like, but my passion for it is as strong as ever.
Since 2015, I’ve published the second Harry novel, a set of Harry short stories, had several short stories published in American anthology magazines, edited and published two anthology collections, and had a novella published by an indie publishing house, Uncle B Publications, in the United States. And the third Harry novel is in final editing stages right now. It will see the light of day before the end of the year.
In these last ten years, I have got to know the indie writing scene and many of the fine authors operating in that world.
Of the nine fiction books I’ve read so far in 2025, all nine of them are by indie authors. Last year, about 70% of my fiction reads were indies. The year before it was about 50%. This trend has an easy explanation: the sheer quality of the storytelling and the uncensored bliss of the writing.
There are three realms within the fiction publishing world.
The first is the “publishing Establishment” as I call it: the traditional (trad) publishing houses, dominated by the Big Five and joined by smaller publishers. These more minor players may like to call themselves independent, but they are still mainstream, following the conventional dogma of carefully curated and moderated output.
Then there are the true independent (indie) publishing houses, invariably tiny outfits run by a handful of dedicated, often unpaid, authors and editors. And they are often niche publishers catering to a certain genre. Many of them, however, are true champions of freedom of expression and uncensored writing.
The final realm is that of self-published authors. Also categorized as indie publishing, this outlet is the most libertarian in terms of editorial control. Consequently, in this realm you’ll also find some glorious raw and honest writing, as well as some of questionable quality. But it is the ultimate democracy in the publishing world.
I sit in both of the indie camps, having self-published my work and also been published by indie publishers.
For me, one of the main problems with mainstream trad publishing is how “correct” (read “woke”) it has become. And correct becomes vanilla and, frankly, boring. Sure, there are exceptions, but wokeness is slowly castrating the field. Stories are churned out to formulae and edited to the nth degree to ensure that no one is possibly offended or upset or disturbed. Or challenged to think!
Now, trad publishers will defend their curation (see “censorship”, in my language) of the writing world on the grounds that they are the expert arbiters of literature and that their output is what sells. They are in it to make money, after all. But this is a self-serving argument, as what sells is what they offer for sale. And so, we go around in a circle, a circle of gatekeeping, control, and corporate profits. It’s not about the art of literature anymore, unless your “art” happens to fit the approved mould. Yes, book buyers are buying the vanilla mediocrity, because that’s what’s made available to them in the mainstream bookshops. And reviewed in the mainstream media. And so on. And as for trad publishing houses being the only arbiters of good writing, that is just pretentious arrogance.
I read a lot, and I don’t want vanilla: I despise mediocrity. I want multi-flavoured, with nuts and choc sprinkles, covered in potent liqueur, with a smouldering Cuban sitting in the neighbouring ashtray, a bottle of red, and some Irish whiskey to round it out. I want my reading material to make me think, make me feel, leave a seared image in my brain, make me laugh, gag, cry, whatever. I want to get to the end of a book thinking that was so damned good, I need to read everything by this author.
And that’s what the indie authors I’ve been discovering have, on the whole, given me: the beautiful, rich, memorable reading experience.
And this is why I am starting a new blog series called “Authors Uncensored”. I will be bringing you two to three indie authors a month with commentary on their work and insights from them into their writing and their storytelling. You will get to meet some fascinating human beings and get the opportunity to explore new authors and uncensored writing. Stay tuned!
Long live indie authors and freedom of expression!
Cheers, ABP
It was in this month ten years ago, June 2015, that I published my first novel, Harry’s World. It had taken me the preceding five years to write it, doing so as my second job. Now, ten years on, I am still writing for my passion, and, alas, still doing another job, the one that pays the bills. So, the writing is much slower than I’d like, but my passion for it is as strong as ever.
Since 2015, I’ve published the second Harry novel, a set of Harry short stories, had several short stories published in American anthology magazines, edited and published two anthology collections, and had a novella published by an indie publishing house, Uncle B Publications, in the United States. And the third Harry novel is in final editing stages right now. It will see the light of day before the end of the year.
In these last ten years, I have got to know the indie writing scene and many of the fine authors operating in that world.
Of the nine fiction books I’ve read so far in 2025, all nine of them are by indie authors. Last year, about 70% of my fiction reads were indies. The year before it was about 50%. This trend has an easy explanation: the sheer quality of the storytelling and the uncensored bliss of the writing.
There are three realms within the fiction publishing world.
The first is the “publishing Establishment” as I call it: the traditional (trad) publishing houses, dominated by the Big Five and joined by smaller publishers. These more minor players may like to call themselves independent, but they are still mainstream, following the conventional dogma of carefully curated and moderated output.
Then there are the true independent (indie) publishing houses, invariably tiny outfits run by a handful of dedicated, often unpaid, authors and editors. And they are often niche publishers catering to a certain genre. Many of them, however, are true champions of freedom of expression and uncensored writing.
The final realm is that of self-published authors. Also categorized as indie publishing, this outlet is the most libertarian in terms of editorial control. Consequently, in this realm you’ll also find some glorious raw and honest writing, as well as some of questionable quality. But it is the ultimate democracy in the publishing world.
I sit in both of the indie camps, having self-published my work and also been published by indie publishers.
For me, one of the main problems with mainstream trad publishing is how “correct” (read “woke”) it has become. And correct becomes vanilla and, frankly, boring. Sure, there are exceptions, but wokeness is slowly castrating the field. Stories are churned out to formulae and edited to the nth degree to ensure that no one is possibly offended or upset or disturbed. Or challenged to think!
Now, trad publishers will defend their curation (see “censorship”, in my language) of the writing world on the grounds that they are the expert arbiters of literature and that their output is what sells. They are in it to make money, after all. But this is a self-serving argument, as what sells is what they offer for sale. And so, we go around in a circle, a circle of gatekeeping, control, and corporate profits. It’s not about the art of literature anymore, unless your “art” happens to fit the approved mould. Yes, book buyers are buying the vanilla mediocrity, because that’s what’s made available to them in the mainstream bookshops. And reviewed in the mainstream media. And so on. And as for trad publishing houses being the only arbiters of good writing, that is just pretentious arrogance.
I read a lot, and I don’t want vanilla: I despise mediocrity. I want multi-flavoured, with nuts and choc sprinkles, covered in potent liqueur, with a smouldering Cuban sitting in the neighbouring ashtray, a bottle of red, and some Irish whiskey to round it out. I want my reading material to make me think, make me feel, leave a seared image in my brain, make me laugh, gag, cry, whatever. I want to get to the end of a book thinking that was so damned good, I need to read everything by this author.
And that’s what the indie authors I’ve been discovering have, on the whole, given me: the beautiful, rich, memorable reading experience.
And this is why I am starting a new blog series called “Authors Uncensored”. I will be bringing you two to three indie authors a month with commentary on their work and insights from them into their writing and their storytelling. You will get to meet some fascinating human beings and get the opportunity to explore new authors and uncensored writing. Stay tuned!
Long live indie authors and freedom of expression!
Cheers, ABP
On this day, ANZAC Day, when we as Australians and New Zealanders commemorate our veterans, it is so important to remember that their sacrifice, in blood and suffering, is what we owe our freedom to. For those who returned from the front lines of conflict, the suffering often endured a lifetime for them, as it does for veterans to this day.
The freedom they defended is the vital freedom that so many now take for granted and do not appreciate, but it is the freedom that enables us to live our lives, enjoy our rights, and bathe in freedom of speech and ideas. The same freedom that many would take from us, both adversaries outside our country and self-interested control-centred people and groups within our country.
My own tribute is to dedicate a blog, as I have done in recent years, to both my grandfathers, who fought for the Australian Army in the World Wars, defending those freedoms.
My paternal grandfather was Gordon Reginald Patterson and he went to the Western Front in 1917. He turned 18 six days before he enlisted. Private Patterson then joined the Australian Army Infantry in the trenches in northern France and Belgium for all the horrors that entailed. He came back to Australia in 1919. He died when my father was only 6 years old. His photo is below (at left), and I can see my father in his face.
My maternal grandfather was George Harwood Smith and he went to the second World War in 1941, as a 39 year old (although his enlistment paper say he was 31, so perhaps he faked his age). He served with the Australian Army Motor Transport in Indonesia. When the Allied forces in Java surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, Private Smith went into the infamous Japanese POW camp at Changi in Singapore, where he remained a prisoner until the end of the war. I have finally found photos of him from 1941, one of which is below (at right).
I can't begin to even imagine the horrors both my grandfathers endured. But I can be forever grateful for what we now enjoy, thanks to the sacrifice of them and millions of other Allied service personnel.
Rest in peace, my grandfathers, and thank you for your service and your sacrifice. I wish I could thank you both in person. Lest we forget.
Cheers,
ABP
The freedom they defended is the vital freedom that so many now take for granted and do not appreciate, but it is the freedom that enables us to live our lives, enjoy our rights, and bathe in freedom of speech and ideas. The same freedom that many would take from us, both adversaries outside our country and self-interested control-centred people and groups within our country.
My own tribute is to dedicate a blog, as I have done in recent years, to both my grandfathers, who fought for the Australian Army in the World Wars, defending those freedoms.
My paternal grandfather was Gordon Reginald Patterson and he went to the Western Front in 1917. He turned 18 six days before he enlisted. Private Patterson then joined the Australian Army Infantry in the trenches in northern France and Belgium for all the horrors that entailed. He came back to Australia in 1919. He died when my father was only 6 years old. His photo is below (at left), and I can see my father in his face.
My maternal grandfather was George Harwood Smith and he went to the second World War in 1941, as a 39 year old (although his enlistment paper say he was 31, so perhaps he faked his age). He served with the Australian Army Motor Transport in Indonesia. When the Allied forces in Java surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, Private Smith went into the infamous Japanese POW camp at Changi in Singapore, where he remained a prisoner until the end of the war. I have finally found photos of him from 1941, one of which is below (at right).
I can't begin to even imagine the horrors both my grandfathers endured. But I can be forever grateful for what we now enjoy, thanks to the sacrifice of them and millions of other Allied service personnel.
Rest in peace, my grandfathers, and thank you for your service and your sacrifice. I wish I could thank you both in person. Lest we forget.
Cheers,
ABP
| Gordon Reginald Patterson | George Harwood Smith |
 |  |
 | I could easily rename this novel A Delicious Deluge of Noir, since it hits every high note of the genre. Or should that be low note, given the tone? As I got into the gripping storyline, and it is flawless storytelling, I was captured by both the atmosphere evoked by Mr Phillips’s biting prose and the wonderfully drawn characters. I’ll certainly never again casually think of Palm Springs as some cookie-cutter retirement village, that’s for sure! The main protagonist, Creeley, is a female toughened by her background, richly detailed and woven in, and by the environs she inhabits. She’s every bit as flawed and troubled as a memorable noir protagonist should be. And you really want to back her from the get-go. However, survival is never a given for this lady, as she mixes it with a cast of dissolute and depraved characters, including a perfectly portrayed corrupt cop, a staple of the genre. The odds are so not in Creeley’s favour. You’ll just have to read this to see how it pans out for her. This was my first taste of long-form fiction from Mr Phillips and I loved it. I will be back for more. Superb noir writing! Cheers, ABP |
A.B.Patterson
Bringing you hard-boiled and noir tales of crime and corruption. And various related opinions!
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