I've got a new book coming out...

...ten years afer it was first published!

Splendid new front cover: artwork by Leo Nickolls

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Way back in the mists of time (2014), my debut novel Shadow of the Wolf appeared in bookshops. As wonderful as this was for me personally, and as much as readers were excited by the story, I was certain this was just the beginning. My publisher bought the rights to two sequels, and expected great things. Prizes and riches were sure to follow!

But then…nothing.

The promised sequels failed to appear. For years. And years.

The reasons for this are complex, and I’ll say more in future posts. But essentially they can be summed up in one word: fear. My fear that the sequel would never be good enough; that my debut had been nothing but beginner’s luck. Fear that no-one would care in any case; that Shadow would be long forgotten by the time the second book was done. These fears strangled my storytelling. I went on writing – hundreds of thousands of words – but essentially got nowhere.

Me looking young and smug in 2014

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Meanwhile, real life went on. I got married, and became a father to two beautiful daughters. I lost both my parents. Temporary jobs came and went. I suffered mental health challenges that swamped what was left of my creativity.

And the story, as far as my writing goes, might have ended there. Shadow of the Wolf and all its promise might easily have drifted into oblivion.

In actual fact, something quite different has happened.

Through meditation, and running, and a hundred small habit changes, bit by bit I managed to climb out of the hole I had found myself in. I rediscovered my love of writing, and my stories began to flow once more. I finished the second book, Dark Fire, and used the momentum to go straight on and write the third, Wildwood Rising. I think they more than live up to their predecessor and believe readers are in for a treat!

My publisher, David Fickling Books, now plans to bring the trilogy roaring back to life. The series has a new collective title – The Blind Bowman - along with fresh artwork and design, and a new author name (the original was published under Tim Hall). Dark Fire and Wildwood Rising will be published late in 2024 and early in 2025 respectively.

First, though, on February 1^st 2024, Shadow of the Wolf will be republished. As part of the reboot, I went back into the text and made some cuts and revisions. (Working on this story again ten years later was a fascinating process in its own right, and I intend to say more about it in my next newsletter).

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“Breathless. Haunting. Wild. Magic.” Jackie Morris on Shadow of the Wolf

“Astonishingly good. Five Stars.” The Sun.

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As publication day comes around, I won’t pretend there’s no regret, or trepidation. I know many people loved the first book, and I’m sorry to have left them waiting so long to find out what happens next. I also know there is a long road ahead if I’m ever going to fulfil my full potential as a writer.

But more than anything, what I’m feeling right now is enormous gratitude. I’m grateful to all of those people who kept faith in my storytelling, and helped me get back on track. I’m grateful for this second chance, and this new beginning. I’m grateful to be doing this work that fascinates and challenges me – which now includes writing this new thing, a Substack newsletter! If it’s been of interest to you, please share it with your friends.

I’ll be back here every two weeks to chronicle the strange and wonderful process of creating this trilogy, and seeing it published, and to offer writing advice to anyone seeking to unlock their own creativity.

In the meantime, please feel free to leave a comment, or message me directly, and I’ll look forward to getting to know you. Thanks for joining in!