So, 2025 is finally in its deathroes. I will be glad to see the back of it, tbh. Whilst I met all my major creative goals, life has once again delivered its share of upset.
I published my 9th novel, Familiar, early in the year, at the same time giving my other 8 novels much-needed cover artwork. I also knocked out a couple of ghost stories, the first of which was published in the Guy N Smith fa nzine boo GNS2. The second ghost story will make its publishing debut early in 2026 in GNS3.
Whilst on the subject of Guy N Smith, I was honoured to be asked to provide the written introduction to the reissue of his classic horror, Son of the Werewolf.
Avalon, my Glastonbury zine, finally got its long-awaited sequel, thanks to our finally visiting Glastonbury for its May Day celebrations. And with the reissue of my Gower beaches guide, plus reworked covers of x2 of Explore Gower's earlier guidebooks, my series of Gower Peniinsula are growing into some I am rather proud to have created.
Healthwise, things hsven't been as tickety'boo as I was hoping for. I am still getting painful face swellings, my allergies are getting worse, and my eyelid surgery was an abjct failure, meaning I am back on the waiting list for a reapeat, somewgat more intrusive, operation.
Office work-wise, I have managed to avoid getting a formal attendance warning and have finally started hybrid working, which allows me to work from home at least twice a week, which is a real game changer for me.
Sometimes, life can hinder the opportunity to play as much as you want to, and I still haven't had he opportunity to use my fishing magnets. When I do finally get round to using them, you will find out here.
Travel-wise, I have already mentioned have taken time out to visit Glastonbury again. Unfortunately, we had to postpone our Japan holiday again, and had to swap our Norwich trip, to see my daughter, with a couple of London meet-ups instead.
The tragic news of the year was the loss of our dearest sweet little fudjcat. She had a good innings thoughand will always be treasured in our memories.
So, although it was a fairly up and down kind ofvyear, I am well up for 2025 doing one now and slipping into history.
Please, 2026, be kinder to us next year...
