JANUARY 2024

January 2024

Today is a good day to begin a new novel. It will be the third novel in my new ‘University’ series.

I’m at my desk looking out on a cold morning. There’s a hard frost in our village and the stooped people walking by look like figures from a long ago Lowry painting. This is my first monthly news page of the new year and a busy time awaits. First of all best wishes to all my readers out there for a happy and healthy 2024.

A new novel is always daunting and many days of research and writing are in store. After the fifteen novels in the Teacher series the second novel in my new University series will be published later this year. The title is UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES. Set in higher education in 1989 and based on my experience of working as a university lecturer during those times this novel will be out in hardback and continues the adventures of my new main character, Tom Frith, a 33 year old lecturer. I do hope readers of my Teacher series will enjoy this new venture.

I’ve had several requests for speaking engagements and most of these will coincide with the launch of UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES. The list of engagements so far is on the Events page of this website.

In the meantime, thanks to readers (and listeners) from all over the world who have purchased a copy of LAST DAY OF SCHOOL along with the audio version, the fifteenth and final novel in the Teacher series. I’ve also received many positive messages concerning the audio version of UNIVERSITY TALES which I’m told many of you have enjoyed.

Finally, thanks to everyone who has been in touch to say how much they have appreciated both the Teacher series and the new University series and amount of enjoyment they have experienced while reading my gentle tales.

With best wishes for 2024,

Jack