Daynote - Fri 20 Feb 2026

I'm in town again today for another session at the Napier University Creative Writing MA, which means catching my word count bit-by-bit over the course of the day, in the back of the classroom, in coffee shops and on trains. But I'm ahead of my count for the week, so I'm not too worried about that. My step count will also benefit from hoofing it around the city all day.

This afternoon I'm heading to the first recording of Narrative Damage, an actual-play RPG I'm doing with some fellow writer friends. I'm really looking forward to it - I've played RPGs with members of this group for the past couple of years, but this is our first go at recording a game. Will I do a really hammy accent and manage to sustain it? Who can say.

Reminder that it's the FINAL DAY of the Waterstones February Pre-order Sale. There are absolutely heaps of amazing books in hardback and paperback for 25% off, including my second novel SOLITARY AGENTS. Grab your copy here before midnight tonight.

ON DECK: Zero words thus far, but I'm aiming for 1,900 or so by the end of the day. I won't panic too much if I don't hit that though, given I'm only about 200 words off my target for the week as a whole. Any words are good words. I'll update at the end of the day once I get home.

LISTENING: Greatly enjoyed this Writer's Routine episode with Shen Tao, the debut author of THE POET EMPRESS - quite a rollercoaster ride!

WATCHING: I was out for a family visit last night, so didn't watch any TV, but I really enjoyed this roundup of 'misunderstood' science fiction movies. I've heard so many weird things about SOUTHLAND TALES over the years that I really want to track it down and watch it.

READING: I've started on Neil Lancaster's latest DS Max Craigie novel THE DARK HEART (Bookshop, Waterstones, Amazon) and it certainly opens with a (literal) bang.

I'm interviewing Neil for the launch of this book at Waterstones Edinburgh on the 10th of March, so if you're a fan, grab yourself a copy and book yourself a ticket!

LINK: A bonus podcast link today - an interview with multi-million seller T.M. Logan on the Page One Podcast. Quite the arc from working journo to full time author.

UP NEXT: M'friend and colleague Nick Binge has just arrived at the coffee shop to take me in for this morning's lecture, so I'm going to sign off and get going. More words later on, hopefully.

Onward!