Get your kicks in '26

Happy New Year, everyone!

I hope 2026 finds you all well, fulfilled and not, hopefully, randomly invading other people's countries to make oil company CEOs richer than they already are...

This is just a quick look back on the year recently passed, and forward to my bookish plans for the coming year.

2025, despite its many flaws on a global scale, was a hugely satisfying year for me as a writer. 'How Soon Is Now?' continued to find new readers and attracted some lovely reviews from some very thoughtful and considerate readers. To all of you who read, reviewed and rated throughout 2025 – many, many thanks!

In February, 'End of a Century' was launched, quickly being hailed as 'truly delightful', 'beautiful, poignant and romantic' and 'a fantastic read ... like living the '90s all over again', although it still has some way to go to catch up with its elder book-sibling in terms of reviews and ratings. If you enjoyed 'How Soon..?' but haven't picked up 'End of a Century' yet, do yourself a favour – it may not have the time-travel trappings of its big brother, but it's a lovely book in its own right (with a subtle touch of the fantastical tucked inside for attentive readers!).

Promotion for both books was a job in itself throughout 2025, and I gained plenty of new skills in banner and trailer design along the way...

Then, at the end of the year, 'How Soon Is Now?' had a revamp, courtesy of a bold and dynamic new cover by ace designer Boja.

Meanwhile, work proceeds slowly but steadily on my next book, 'All Men Have Secrets', loosely set for release in the first quarter of this year. 'All Men Have Secrets' sees a return to some of the characters and situations introduced in 'How Soon Is Now?' (yes, the Nostalgia Club's members are back. Mostly...). Tone-wise, at the moment it's a mix of both of my first two books, with a darker turn to the time travel elements and a relationship thread not a million miles from that in 'End of a Century'. Speaking of which, watch out for a cameo from a couple of 'End of a Century' characters, 30 years on...

Beyond that, I've got the book after 'All Men Have Secrets' brewing away in my head, and it's miles away from anything I've done so far. It's an absolutely ridiculous idea which should be a lot of fun – a strong fantasy twist on a very popular genre, allowing for masses of japery with familiar character types and tropes. Don't be surprised if it ends up being called 'Prisoner of Love At the Cosy-Cups Cafe (Of Death)'. But don't be surprised if it doesn't, either...

And then there's yet another book, which I began before getting down to work on 'All Men Have Secrets', but which is still calling to me. Another interesting clash of genres, but all I'll say at this stage is that it involves an eighties indie band, alternate universes, the end of several worlds ... and a bike shop on the Isle of Bute.

So, lots to look forward to, and lots to get on with. I hope you'll join me for some of it!

All the best,

PC x

PS. If you'd like to take a look at my work so far, free sample chapters are available via the writing page. If you'd like to buy either 'End of a Century' or 'How Soon Is Now?', take a look here. For the audio version of 'How Soon Is Now?', you can purchase via Audible or the publisher, Ulverscroft.