I think everyone has had a mixed, and most likely challenging 2021. I’m also certain that many people have had a really tough time. My 2021 has been up and down, but fortunately it has been mostly up, not least because of all the support I have received from readers of my books, and, dare I say, fans of Petra and Maratse. I honestly wasn’t sure what kind of year 2021 was going to be, but I am pleased to say it turned out all right in the end.
That end included a much needed Christmas break with my folks in Manchester. Again, touch and go if it was going to happen, and still uncertain regarding the outcome of the assorted tests required before and after our visit, but ultimately positive.
I tend to forget about family when I am so focused on my writing. And, as you know, I write a lot, so I tend to be rather focused – a lot. I’m going to work on a better balance of the two this year, i.e. family and work, but also friends. I may have played the covid card a few times, when what I really should have played was the working hard card instead. I don’t know. I’m still figuring it out.
What this means in practice, is a change of my working practice. I have relied heavily on pre-orders in the past and in 2021. While a pre-order deadline has been a positive motivational factor, I have also come unstuck a few times. So, in achieving a better balance, I will not be doing pre-orders in 2022.
Fortunately, that doesn’t mean fewer books.
Hell no! 🙂
There are plenty in the works, including more than a few Petra books. She and I have finally reached an understanding. She does what she does, and I just have to let her do it. So, there will be more Greenland Missing Persons books in 2022.
I have more Maratse stories on the way, too. But you know, he’s the quiet type, rarely shouts about anything at all, and although he insisted he get his own series after The Ice Star, he did so quietly. More on the way from him too.
But now I’ve mentioned The Ice Star, it seems only fair that Fenna and Mikael get more stories too. So you can expect news about a sequel to The Shaman’s House, which will be the fourth in that series, and, at long last, more books in the Sirius Sledge Patrol series with Mikael and Co.
That’s it for now, though.
All that remains is to thank you for your generous support in 2021. I hope you’ll find something of interest to keep you coming back in 2022.
Ukiortaami Pilluarit!
Happy New Year!
Chris