Daynote - Mon 18 May 2026

Bit of an early start today, with no walk, since I'm moving some furniture later. Non-stop glamour, this writing life.

But! I did get to unbox my author copies yesterday:

Yes, I'd pre-opened that box - I've learned how well-made Hachette distribution boxes are by trying to open them on camera before, so I made things easy for myself. Also, it was about to start raining. But! Very exciting to have my copies in my hands. They look rather nice on the bookshelf.

If you're thinking about getting SOLITARY AGENTS, please do consider pre-ordering. Pre-orders (especially from your local, independent bookshop) make a huge difference to the visibility and success of the book in the long-term. So if you enjoyed my first book and you'd like a matching hardback of the second one, I'd be deeply obliged if you took a look at my Links page and pre-ordered from your platform of choice.

ON DECK: A really solid editing session this morning, with -527 words and four chapters nailed. I'm now starting to enter the Fiddly Zone where my timeline is out of whack again and I need to redraft scenes substantially to make them fit, as well as adding a few more towards the end. But I'm past the halfway point of the book as a whole, which feels pretty good. I wouldn't say I'm nervous per se about my impending deadline, but I am no longer fully calm.

LISTENING: I really enjoyed this episode of In My Good Books with debut novelist Victoria West, talking about her novel NEVER ALONE and her unconventional journey into publishing.

WATCHING: A bit of FOR ALL MANKIND yesterday. It was a good episode, though I hate how accurately I can now spot when a character is going to get killed for plot reasons, because out of nowhere they get a small emotional scene to create some stakes around their death.

READING: Still reading (and being blown away by) SLOW GODS by Claire North (Bookshop, Waterstones, Amazon) - the depth and scope of the world(s) is just wonderful, and North does not shy away from the realities of sudden death.

LINK: If you, like me, have recently read CHILDREN OF STRIFE by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Bookshop, Waterstones, Amazon), then here's a treat for you - an extended bonus chapter describing the 'Long War' on Marduk that we get hints of in the book. Spoilers abound and it won't make much sense if you haven't read the book.

UP NEXT: Not quite so busy this week, but I still have a podcast recording on Wednesday and an event on Friday I'm really looking forward to:

If you're thinking of coming along, please do book a ticket - this helps event managers plan the events properly and ensures it goes ahead.

Really looking forward to quizzing Callum and I'll hopefully see you there.

Onward!