New Posts
My 2026 writing course on Lesbos
I’m leading a writing course on the beautiful Greek island of Lesbos from 5-12 September 2026.
Who’s afraid of autocracy?
“Mr Nobody against Putin” and “The Wave” highlight the seductive danger of autocracy, and why we should never assume “it couldn’t happen here”.
Coronavirus Vienna (with 36 pictures you never saw before)
Coronavirus Vienna: one person’s experience of lockdown, closures – and a wonderful city, even in coronavirus times. Plus 36 pictures.
Middlemarch epigrams
George Eliot epigrams are worth careful study: elegant, wise and funny, they burst from the text of her novel “Middlemarch”. 25 beauties.
“Vintage Season” – are things better than we think?
“Vintage Season” – what if the terrible time we are living in right now was judged by history to have been the best of all possible times?
How to be happy: resources: 16 great posts to browse
How to be happy: resources. During the first COVID 19 lockdown I put together sixteen happiness posts on this blog
Stopping work to look after the kids
Stoping work: for a man, looking after the kids can be life-changing. Some people – often women – may admire you. But men may pose challenges.
Aurora Rooftop Bar at Andaz Belvedere: A Great Vienna bar
The Aurora Rooftop Bar at the Andaz Vienna am Belvedere is not only one of Vienna’s great bars but has a world-class outlook. Which rooftop
Feminist short stories? What about “The Hotel Stories?”
Feminist short stories: what makes them any good? Is it a matter of content, or political correctness, or simply attitude? My “Seven Hotel Stories” explores.
Leigh Turner Blood Summit videos in English and German
“Blood Summit” videos in English and German, taken at the Reichstag, show where the blood-soaked events of the thriller take place.
A voyage around America
A voyage around America: how I met a convicted killer, a Cortez barmaid, two Mexican con artists and many other fine Americans.
Middlemarch on gender
Middlemarch on gender. The sexual politics of George Eliot’s 1871 masterpiece are relevant and contemporary. Here are 26 quotes on gender, sex and relationships. Middlemarch
Sausages: “Hotel Stories” No. 8
Sausages have more uses than you can imagine! An introduction to “Sausages”, short story Number 8 in the “Hotel Stories” short story series.
Vienna’s best cafes: the ultimate guide from a local
Vienna’s best cafes? How can you find the best cafe for you? Start here with Leigh Turner’s fun, characterful Vienna cafe reviews.
A Berlin thriller: Blood Summit
A Berlin thriller: in “Blood Summit”, leaders of the most powerful countries are seized by terrorists who start executing them live on-air
Sex, alcohol, people, knowledge: what makes you happy?
What makes you happy? ‘m in a high-speed train holding an empty paper cup. What lessons can this teach us about making ourselves happier?
10 rules on how to work better
“10 rules on how to work better”: what does it mean? A comment on an earlier blog showcases the best of the Internet – or seems to.
John Connolly’s Charlie Parker series: why you should read them
The “Charlie Parker” series by John Connolly is unique. Find out why you should read them and where you should start.
Vienna unfriendly? San Francisco a hell-hole?
Is Vienna unfriendly? A dig into the statistics on which a media report is based shows that you should be careful in interpreting surveys.
“He knew he was right”: gender and obstinacy
“He Knew He Was Right” shows Anthony Trollope is an outstanding writer on relationships. His 1869 lessons on gender remain 100% relevant.
Explore
Categories
Pages
Sign up for my weekly updates
…and receive a FREE short story!
I won’t pass on your details to third parties / unsubscribe whenever you wish