NOVEMBER 2024

November 2024

As I write this I’m looking out at frost and snow. The trees are bare outside my window and there are frozen cobwebs in the hedgerow. It’s minus 3 degrees and winter has gripped the land in an iron fist.

The warmth of my study is welcoming while I consider ideas for new stories.

The launch of the second novel in my University series, UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES, seems a while ago now and the third novel is now in the editorial process. This is often quite lengthy with a variety of professionals contributing towards the final product.

My editor kicks it off with a line edit to which I respond. Then it moves on to a variety of copy editors before finally the excitement of seeing the artist’s first draft of the cover. There are also the additions of a dedication, acknowledgements and a synopsis of the storyline.

After that, and some distance away, dates are secured for a launch event and a series of book signings and talks in a variety of locations where I meet up with fans of my stories. So it’s a regular process that I have experienced many times and the next novel will be my eighteenth since my so-called retirement comprising a 38 year career in education.

So it’s been a regular routine starting at 7.00 a.m. each morning while reviewing and redrafting the previous day’s writing before morning coffee time. Then it’s time for more research and the key ingredients of conflict and dialogue. I always carry a notebook so I can record ideas as they come to me. It’s an interesting life!

The third novel in my University series will probably be out next autumn. It’s a story of 80k words and takes the reader on an eventful journey to Oslo, Vienna and York.

In the meantime, thanks to readers (and listeners) from all over the world who have purchased copies  of my novels along with the more recent audio versions of UNIVERSITY TALES and UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES provided by the excellent professional reader, Geoff Leesley.

Finally, thanks to everyone who has been in touch on this website 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 . . . and keep warm,

Jack