In response to the slew of machine-generated books swamping retailers and filling up agents’ and editors’ inboxes, the Society of Authors in the UK has launched the ‘human-authored’ website and logo, for writers to confirm that their works were produced 100% by them (including human writing partners etc), and not by a machine. It applies … More Human-authored
That’s my 2026 word of the year. I started doing this last year, and 2025’s word was “Joy”. It’s safe to say that one was a mixed bag of results, with multiple family members having health scares, the dog developing an elbow condition, my sister’s dog needing surgery… But also moments of joy, including the … More “Commit”
Yesterday, I submitted my 11th novel to a publisher, an exclusive submission that, of course, does not guarantee acceptance in any way. And so begins the waiting… Realistically, I won’t hear anything until well into the New Year, and I know this. I will still be checking my emails several times a day and agonising … More Sneak Attack
I’m delighted to welcome Jessica A McMinn to the blog to tall us all about her brand new novella, PARASITIC OMENS, which publishes today! Jessica is an editorial and mentoring client of mine over at The Write Advice, and I was delighted to work with her on the developmental and copy edits for this novella, … More Author Interview: Jessica A. McMinn
Temperatures have been sub-zero here for the last few days, and today we also had freezing fog. That meant … INCREDIBLE photos during the dog walk this morning. Behold. The Husband and I were in our Hammer Horror era, saying that all the morning needed was a buxom lass in a long white nightie running … More Winter wonderland
I decided not to make New Year’s resolutions this year. I hardly ever stick to them and they’re never achievable anyway, so I just end up with a year long sense of failure. Instead, this year, on the first morning of 2025, I took Bailey out for a chilly walk and just … mused on … More Two for Joy
Looking Back 175,542 new words written, plus edits (x2) on the heist book that is currently on submission. Really hoping for some good news on that in the New Year (good news being it gets picked up for publication). General vibes are in the images below. One new online writing course – The Fight Fantastic … More 2024 in Review
It’s taken a little longer than I wanted due to other commitments, but I’ve finished my judging for the short story competition I ran a couple of months ago. It was brilliant to see how so many of you interpreted the theme of Darkness Falls in such wonderful and different ways, and the quality of … More Darkness Falls short story winners
Yes, you read that right! I’ve decided to run a short story competition with some (if I do say so myself) awesome prizes on offer! Competition Details: I’ll aim to read all the stories and announce the winners by the end of November. Prizes: I know some people may be current or past clients and … More Short Story Competition time!
Over the last several months, myself and two other talented authors – Justin Lee Anderson and Stephen Aryan – have been busy putting together a brand new venture aimed at writers seeking to improve their craft, their manuscripts, and their chances at publication (indie or trad). The result is The Write Advice, our mentoring and … More The Write Advice – mentoring and editing for authors
After solid sales for his first duology, David Wragg’s next book series got caught in the infamous post-covid “midlist death spiral”. After this current trilogy finishes, his future in trad is uncertain at best. S2 Ep37: Reasons To Keep Writing
Today, 28 March 2024, The Dark Feather is published in hardback, ebook, and amazing audiobook (thanks again, Joseph Balderrama, you talented human). This means the Songs of the Drowned trilogy has come to its final note. Oh, there will be the paperback in six months or so, but no new words. No new wrestling with … More The Song has ended
Recently I had some talented writers graduate from my worldbuilding course, and in subsequent chats in my Discord server for alumni, as we encouraged each other through our latest drafts, I heard the same worries and complaints more than once: This is rubbish. This will all need rewriting. I should just go back to the … More What’s so bad about rewriting anyway?
First up, book news! The Dark Feather, the concluding book in the Songs of the Drowned trilogy, is being published on 7 December 2023 and pre-orders are now open! As always, if you can, please buy through an independent retailer or borrow from your local library. I’m really proud of this trilogy and how much … More Books, WIPs, and cons
This time on the blog, I’m interviewing the tall, the talented, and the tolerably amusing David (Dave) Wragg. You know him and love him from The Articles of Faith duology, being The Black Hawks and The Righteous, and he’s back with Book 1 of Tales of the Plains, entitled The Hunters. What can you tell … More Author Interview: David Wragg on The Hunters
Hi Kritika Thank you so much for agreeing to come on my little blog and let me babble praise at you. It’s one of my very favourite things to do, and The Surviving Sky deserves all the praise! This Hindu philosophy-inspired debut science fantasy follows a husband and wife racing to save their living city—and … More Interview with Kritika H. Rao
Thr Jaguar Path chat! https://www.instagram.com/tv/CouXP47DbQI/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
I start a full-time job on Monday. I’m well aware that many people would see that as a success, and I’m even more aware that what I’ve accomplished since 2017 – six published novels – is also a big success. And yet. And yet, it hasn’t been successful enough to keep my finances stable. In … More Defining ‘failure’
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