My publisher recently finalised the design for the cover of my novel The House of Dust and Shadows, which is coming out in 2026. I’m delighted to be able to share it with you here. There was a lot of discussion about it, as we looked at different styles of typography and various types of design, but I’m delighted with the result. I even got to choose the ghost! If you would like to find out more about it please do follow the link, you can pre-order it on Kobo or add it to your Goodreads Want to read list.
I must admit that publishing my novel, while it is a dream come true, is also a nerve-wracking moment for me. I’m distracting myself by working on a screenplay and mulling over ideas for a second novel. I think I have the concept worked out but I need to read some hard-to-get-hold-of library books for research (research is my favourite part of novel writing). Oh yes, and relearn Old English. I studied it at University and have signed up for a course to help myself remember how to read it. I remember very little about it apart from the way Beowulf began with ‘Hwaet’ (what or why) to get the listener’s attention, instead of invoking a muse. There’s something sturdy and practical about that, it’s a very earthy language.
I’ve also signed up for a course on the history of magic, where we get to have a look at a sixteenth century copy of the Malleus Maleficarum and learn about the Tarot. I may not use all of this, but I am hoping it will at the very least give me some ideas. I find that knowledge is what sparks off creativity for me, and stories from the past seem to grab my attention (Hwaet!) more forcefully than the present day. Perhaps that’s because the news has been so gloomy recently.
Another short story salon is coming up with the Story Radio Podcast – it will be at the Colony Room Green on the 10th of February and features some of our favourite Story Radio writers who have generously given up their time to share their work with us. It will appear on the podcast too but I strongly recommend you come along in person and hear some of our stories which will be on the theme of love, in honour of Valentine’s Day. Did you know that Valentine’s Day falls one day before the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which involved fertility rites and goatskin costumes? Anyway, if you’d like to come along (no goats involved, but definitely some wine) please do book a ticket on Eventbrite.
