Author
John K Miles' work as a writer has organically evolved from long form music composition where he has routinely created narrative, libretto and lyrics as part of the process.
Please see below for completed projects:
The Luminescent Cave
A cross world fantasy novel for young adults (upwards).
'An epic adventure set across three divergent parallel worlds, linked by the hidden subconscious realm of The Unseen. Technology is at odds with the natural world, as a deposed witch queen and her gifted orphan daughters strive against demonic forces, on their perilous journey towards being reunited and reclaiming their rightful place in the universe. The stakes are high, but as the story unfolds it becomes clear they are part of a deeper struggle between good and evil that has implications for the future of all humanity.’
River and Ash - Play a Mighty Groove
A 2020/21 Radar Commission​ to re-imagine the Orpheus in the Underworld myth for 6 -12 year olds. The story is told in a mixture of prose and verse and focuses on the themes of friendship and the power of music.
The narrative is designed to work across multiple platforms: picture book, audio book, animation and live performance.
Smell the Coffee
Flash Fiction
​
Winner, Hampshire Writers' Society Flash Fiction competition, April 2021
'I loved the circular format of the story. The sadness of living in the past, not remembering the present.'
Full story below.
Smell the Coffee
"A knock at the door.
An old lady comes in with a brown paper package under her arm.
She looks like Rose.
'Hello Rose,' I say.
'It’s Lauren, dear.'
There’s a sadness in her eyes.
She says, 'I brought you something to brighten up your room.'
I look at the sterile white walls and nod my head.
'It’s a painting,' she says, ripping off the brown paper packaging. 'Of a Cafe in France.'
I look at it and remember. The smell of fresh coffee on a balmy summer evening. Rose is there of course; my love, my one and only. I remember the feeling; a swirling in my gut, like fallen leaves ascending to the sky in a storm.
I nod my head. I have no words, they’ve all been said.
'Thank you Rose.'
'It’s Lauren, dear.'
Rose’s eyes are watering, so I look back at the painting as she places it on my dresser.
The Cafe was called ‘Les Saisons’ and we were young.
I look up at Rose. She’s old and so am I. Life is complex and bittersweet like the glass of Pastis next to my coffee cup. I reach out for it, but find myself grasping fresh air.
'I can’t move my legs anymore, Rose.'
Rose sighs and her eyes water, and I realise that she is remembering too.
'It’s Lauren dear,' she says, this time struggling to say the words.
I look out of the window and when I turn back, Rose is gone. Perhaps she was never there. But there’s a painting on my dresser of a Cafe in France.
I look at it and remember. The smell of fresh coffee on a balmy summer evening. Rose is there of course; my love, my one and only. I remember the feeling; a swirling in my gut, like fallen leaves ascending to the sky in a storm."
Mistress of the Sea
Flash Fiction
​
Runner up in Hampshire Writers' Society Flash Fiction competition, April 2021
'A Tale of revenge with a twist.'
Full story below.
Mistress of the Sea
"The forked lightning strobed across the rocky beach, exposing a snapshot of natural violence. A brutal storm under a purple sky, generating twenty foot waves that were ripping huge chunks of sedimentary rock away from the cliff.
Seth made his way to the shrine, sideways rain washing away fresh tears, as he cursed the gods for the hand he’d been dealt. Deep set anger and grief spurred him on. He broke into a sprint, pushing through the wind, towards the tidal cave that housed the totem.
‘Curse you!’ he said, as he reached the entrance, his hot temper directed at the manifest image of the goddess. The wooden statue stared back at him nonchalantly.
‘You’ve taken everything from me! She was my life!’
Another streak of lightning ripped across the beach, lighting up the quartz gems which decorated the face of the ancient water deity. She was mocking him. Gloating. Impulsively, he unbuckled his axe and flew at the idol, desecrating it with short, powerful, relentless strokes. It took several minutes, but soon all that was left was the decapitated head of the goddess, lying face up in the wet sand. The remainder of the totem had been smashed into hundreds of tiny fragments. For one brief moment Seth felt at peace. Revenge had been served. The goddess had drowned his love and now the price had been paid.
His tears flowed freely.
‘Why did you take her from me so soon?’
The mistress of the sea looked back at him with uncaring eyes, as a powerful wave crashed into the cave, lifting him off his feet. He was trapped. No escape. And as the full force of the ocean broke him against the cave wall, the head of the goddess was pulled back through the entrance into the deep."