Matthew Sylvester
mattsylvester
Submission, Rejection, Redemption
Recently, Abaddon Publishers had an open submissions window. The last one that I entered was about two years ago, and I put forward a sci-fi, futuristic steampunk Hornblower story. The idea and the world were sound, the character was suitably flawed, and the ship’s chaplain was a right bastard. In a good way. Unfortunately they … Continue reading
Rapier and dagger – getting to the point, and why a gentleman should never be without one
Many authors write about sword fights and duels, but often either fail to mention the swords being used, or get the weapons wrong. Often they’ll give a weapon to someone who really shouldn’t be using that sort of weapon, or have it used in the wrong way. This also applies to role-players who take their … Continue reading
Why armour doesn’t work in films and series such as Vikings
No matter now good looking the armour, no matter how historically accurate it is, or isn’t, armour just doesn’t work. There are many examples of armour parting like paper as a sword or axe cuts across the wearer’s abdomen or back in a spray of blood and gore. For years this used to vex me … Continue reading
Eat local, drink local: A pledge I hope to keep
I, Matthew Sylvester, do hereby make a pledge. I pledge that, when eating out with friends and family, where ever possible I shall do so in places that are owned and run by people local to Exeter, and/or which create meals and serve drinks that have been made from local produce or by local … Continue reading
I might have actually won the Euromillions
No, this isn’t an April Fool’s Day joke. What I’m writing about is the state of mind I experience the day after a draw. It’s a Schrodinger’s Cat way of thinking. At the point of waking, I can’t confirm whether I have or haven’t won. Therefore I have both own and not won at the … Continue reading
Matthew Sylvester 