2016… Looking Forward
It’s almost the middle of the year and so it feels like the perfect time to do a prospective post, of the type normal people would do in January. (Normal is given WAY too much credit). I’ve decided to try to be a bit more active on here, that way I can pretend I’m talking to others- rather than to myself, and what better way to start than with a ‘what’s coming this year’ post?
Please feel free to comment, and tell me what you’re planning for this year!
1. Wrap up the Nova series…
I know! I cried too! I can hear you all yelling at me “But you’re the author, just don’t do it!”… but Nova (and I) need a break. It’s not her, it’s me. So with Prisoner released at the start of this year… and Stranger to be released in about 2 weeks, there’s just Book 10 left, appropriately titled: Hero. Of course there is shooting and running and Nova gets into more trouble than you’ve ever seen, but it will be the end, at least for the time being. I am of course leaving myself completely open to writing more in the future because I have a feeling Nova will be back…
(Of course if you have especially strong feelings you could always leave a review on your favourite vendor telling me how much you enjoy them 😉 and no… I feel no shame over begging for reviews).
2. Publish a couple of other novels…
I don’t want to reveal too much but I do have a couple of other projects up my sleeve; one in conjunction with a fellow author and another standalone, temporarily titled ‘Alien Ant Farm‘. I’m sure I’ll do some follow up posts on those as they progress.
3. Finish this PhD I’m doing…
Some of you may not know, but in my ‘real life’ I’m a scientist. I’m currently completing my PhD in chemistry – hoping to be done by the end of the year. After that, who knows! My current research has a sci-fi element (of course). I’m looking at whether life could evolve without water. So often when we think of alien life we think of two eyed, four/five limbed animals. The truth is that we’re more likely to find a sentient cloud of methane gas than a species that has managed to evolve along an identical pathway to us (but I’ll save that discussion for its own post I think!).
In the meantime, if you’re scientifically minded I do have a paper out that you might enjoy: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5SM02660A
4. Turn this writing thing into a paying career…
I’ve been very lucky the last six months and I’ve made real progress on this, but I want to solidify it by the end of the year so that I’m free to focus on what I enjoy. And, it’s all thanks to you wonderful readers that that’s even possible. So thank you.
To finalise this prospective post, I think it’s only right that I leave you with a deep and meaningful quote:
“Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup”
I dicovered your Nova Chronicles at the beginning of June 2016, and have now read all nine. I can’t wait until Hero is published. I will be disappointed when the series of Nova adventures is finished (until you and Nova become buddies again), but this will enable me to read your other works of art.
Looking forward to Hero.
Do you have a release date (or provisional date)?
A fan from Scotland.
First off, you are a very talented writer, and a beautiful person. I wish you the best in your future endeavors. I look forward to reading your future books. Know that you have fans put here that enjoy the time and effort that you put into your work. If you follow the guidelines that you put into your writing into everything that you do, you will have a wonderful life . I wish you all of the best that the future holds.
Thank you Harry, what a lovely thing to say. You’ve absolutely made my day 🙂
Of course, it’s hearing from people like you that make writing so rewarding! Thank you for all of the feedback you’ve given me over the last year or so, it’s been invaluable.
What are you planning for the rest of the year?