In April 2016, I started writing my first novel, The ‘86 Fix. The only motivation for writing that novel was to put a tick on a bucket list and prove to myself that I could do it.

However, nine years and nineteen novels on, I’m now a full-time author. A happy accident, some might say. The downside to my happy accident is that I never had a plan. For the last nine years, I’ve finished one novel and started the next, driven primarily by a fear that, at some point, the ideas could dry up or readers might decide not to buy my books any more.

Thankfully, I’ve avoided both those disasters, but never say never, particularly in a world where the winds of change are approaching gale force.

In the nine years I’ve toiled in the literary industry, it’s experienced unprecedented challenges. Consumers now have so many options for how they spend their leisure time, with new streaming services popping up every month and the likes of YouTube and TikTok pumping out content like gangbusters. Competition for readers has also increased dramatically with an ever-growing number of indie authors entering the market and new books landing on Amazon’s shelves by the thousand every single day.

Besides the pressure of ever-increasing competition, it’s now harder than ever to make a living in the UK. Being self-employed, I find myself in the unenviable position where the state now benefits from my endeavours more than I do. I’m politically agnostic, but whenever I hear politicians talk about growing the economy, I want to scream. As it stands, there’s no incentive for the self-employed to work harder — quite the opposite, in fact.

Anyway, that’s enough negativity. I can’t change the world, but I can do something to change my world. And that leads me nicely to the point of this blog post.

My next book will be my twentieth — not just a landmark but a fork in the road. I can continue on my current path, working fifty-plus hours a week whilst my income gradually plateaus or potentially declines, or I can choose another path. I don’t really have a choice, truth be told.

This, dear reader, is where I need to ask if you’re willing to take a few steps along this new path with me.

What I’ve noticed over the last few years is that I’ve attracted a small but passionate band of readers from other English-speaking countries — in particular, America. In fact, last year, I was invited to take part in a virtual book club with a group of readers from a small South Carolinian town, Fort Mill. It was a surreal experience, discussing The Strange Appeal of Dougie Neil with a bunch of readers with Southern American accents, I can tell you. Even more surreal is the fact that people from beyond the UK read my books at all, considering how colloquially British they are.

Beyond my interactions with American readers, my latest Amazon sales report confirms that the American market accounts for 19% of my royalties. That figure has slowly but steadily crept up in recent years and is now significantly higher than I ever expected it to be. It’s an interesting statistic, and it also represents an opportunity — a vast pool of potential new readers I might be able to tap into.

And that brings me nicely on to book #20.

Of the nineteen books I’ve penned, only one of them doesn’t include some other-worldly element, and that’s Waiting in The Sky. For that reason, it might not have resonated with my core readers as much as the other books. It is, however, a title that continues to sell well and has prompted the highest number of emails from readers, with a significant number saying how they could relate to the protagonist, Simon Armstrong. I’ve also had a few tentative enquiries about TV/film rights, although nothing has reached the point of signing a contract (yet).

In short, Waiting in The Sky remains the most commercially viable of all by books. Not the most loved, I’m sure, but, in terms of readership, it has by far the broadest mainstream appeal.

I appreciate that I’ve so far set out several seemingly unconnected points but actually, I’m justifying an epiphany I experienced last week. I hadn’t announced it, but I had been planning a trip to America next month (May). The purpose of the trip was to research a non-fiction book I intended to write as my twentieth title. I’ve always wanted to try my hand at non-fiction, and I was particularly inspired by my all-time favourite book, Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson. I also hoped that spending a few weeks in America would help recharge my creative batteries.

That trip is all booked up, however, my creative thoughts have shifted dramatically since that epiphany.

Having taken you around the houses, I can now confirm that my next book will be a standalone novel featuring Simon Armstrong. I’m still in the process of outlining the plot, but the core theme has genuinely reignited my enthusiasm for writing. I’m excited by the possibilities for this story and the opportunities it might open up.

Just in case you’ve forgotten, Simon Armstrong is a thirty-something character who, up until a few years ago, was convinced he was an alien. He’s lived a sheltered life in a small Wiltshire village, and, despite his intelligence, he’s spectacularly naïve about the world. He also possesses certain traits that not only make him an interesting character, but a writer’s dream. His deadpan observations, awkward communication style, and misplaced cynicism represent such scope for both comedic moments and character development.

It’s for that reason that in my proposed new (and currently untitled) novel, Simon will face a life-changing challenge. After being humiliated in an online strategy game where he has remained undefeated for eleven months, Simon is so indignant that he feels compelled to hunt down the player who stole his crown and prove that they cheated. That quest will lead him all the way to America, and a million miles from his comfort zone.

I’ll write up a proper synopsis within the next few weeks and create a cover, but I hope that the basic premise of this story appeals to you. I doubt it’ll be everyone’s cup of tea, but that’s kind of the point — if I don’t step beyond my own comfort zone and push the boundaries, there’s a chance I might not be able to sustain my writing career (or sanity) beyond the next few books.

In conclusion, this next book matters, and it matters a lot, but not as much as the loyalty that so many of my readers have demonstrated over the last nine years. It’s for that reason I wanted to explain my thoughts and plans and be candid about why I need to head in a certain direction. It might be that I lose a few readers along the way, but I sincerely hope that you stay with me.

If nothing else, it’ll be an interesting journey… not least for Simon Armstrong.

With love, Keith

Footnote: I know many of you will ask, so I’ll confirm it now. My twenty-first book will be the third in the Angle of Camden series, featuring our denin-clad friend, Clement.

Seeing as it’s a new year, I thought it would be the ideal opportunity to provide a quick update on my progress with my latest book, The Fourth Clause. As many of you will be aware, I had a few issues with my creative flow in the last quarter of 2024, and that’s primarily the reason behind the delay. However, life has been a bit up and down over the last month.

On New Year’s Eve, we sadly lost our dad, Dave Pearson, at the age of 84. Although he’d been unwell for several years, his passing still hit hard. The funeral and all the associated bureaucracy only added to the stress of our bereavement, and it’s a relief that the worst is now behind us.

Then, on the 9th of January, my son and his wife welcomed their first little one to the world – my first grandchild, Emily Jean Pearson (her middle name chosen in honour of my mum).  Twelve days on, little Emily is doing really well and seems a contented baby. I warned my son that her good behaviour is unlikely to last.

Despite the lows and highs over the last month, I’m back on course with The Fourth Clause and closing in on those immortal words: The End. The plan is to have the first draft completed within the next ten days, and then there’s just the editing phase to complete. It’s been my most challenging book to write by a mile, but I’m so pleased with the way the story has panned out. All being well, you’ll be able to judge for yourselves in March.

Beyond the release of The Fourth Clause, I’m keeping my options open on what to write and release over the course of 2025. One thing is for sure – I desperately need to refill my creative tanks so I’m hoping to escape my writing dungeon a lot more this year. On that note, I have an idea for a non-fiction book that’s been floating around in my head for some years. I really want 2025 to be the year I finally write that book, and I’ll let you know more details in due course.

That’s about it from me, but I will use this opportunity to wish you all a belated happy New Year. As always, thank you for your ongoing support and patience – both are massively appreciated.

With best wishes

Keith x

Whenever I meet someone and they ask what I do for a living, my reply is almost always met with a positive response: “That’s so cool,” or “What a wonderful way to earn a living.”

Occasionally, someone will say, “You’re so lucky to be able to do a job you love.”

To that, I smile whilst biting my tongue.

For the record, there are many positive aspects to being an author. You get to share your stories with people across the globe and, on the whole, almost everyone you hear from is lovely. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the people who read my novels are amongst the loveliest, most intelligent, and witty humans alive today. If you haven’t already gathered, this is my attempt to sweeten you up before I get to the salty point of this post.

I’m currently two-thirds the way through my latest novel, The Fourth Clause, and I’ve hit yet another roadblock. This isn’t the first mental wall I’ve run into, and it won’t be the last, but this one just feels more solid than those I’ve hit before.

The problem with these roadblocks is there’s no quick fix, no tried-and-trusted method to move forward. Well, there probably is, but it would mean writing a shitty, half-arsed workaround that undermines the whole story. I’d rather not publish the book at all than do that.

This brings me back to those who think that authors are lucky and that we all love what we do. Today, I am not loving my job one bit, and luck isn’t going to ride to my rescue.

Truth be told, at this precise moment I wish I was an accountant or a locksmith… or even a traffic warden. In those jobs, you don’t need a creative spark to do what you’re paid to do. You turn up, do the work, and piss off home at the end of the day. No traffic warden has even failed to issue a ticket because the muse wasn’t flowing.

Before you reach for the Kleenex, this isn’t a sob story. I’m just venting in the hope that it might lessen your annoyance when I confirm that The Fourth Clause won’t be available this side of Christmas — realistically, it’ll be January/February 2025.

If you are annoyed with me, I completely understand and I hope you’ll accept my sincere apology. My only mitigation is that I’m mentally knackered. I’ve been writing constantly for more than eight years now; finishing one novel and then cracking straight on with the next. After eighteen novels, I’m surprised that I haven’t had to write a similar grovelling apology long before this one.

If there’s any consolation, I’m confident that the finished story will be worth waiting for. Ironically, it’s that exact thought that’s allowed me to take a step back, breathe, and not lob my keyboard out of the window. The roadblock won’t beat me — of that I’m sure — but staring at it for eight hours a day won’t make it disappear any quicker.

Right, that’s the end of my confession. As always, thank you for always being on my side … even when I let you down.

Keith x

I’m delighted to confirm that on Saturday 14th October (2023), I’ll be taking part in live event in Birmingham, called Meet The Time Travellers.

Alongside my fellow time travel authors, Jason Ayres, Adrian Cousins, and Adam Eccles, I’ll be discussing my books, characters, writing, and of course, time travel. The three-hour event will include a meet & greet, a Q&A session, and book signings.

Tickets will be limited so if you’d like to go straight ahead and book, click this link.

As this event has been mooted for a while, I thought it would a good idea to answer some of the common questions I’ve already been asked…

Q: Will you be repeating this event in… (insert your home town or city)?
I’ve been asked if the event will take place in every town and city from Perth to Penzance. Due to the cost, and the time it’s taken to organise, this is highly likely to be a one-off event. I am looking at a few low-key solo events next year, but that will depend on a number of factors (including demand).

Q: How much are tickets?
Just £7 each and that’s purely to cover the cost of the venue. The reason why this is a one-off event is because each of us is subsidising our own travel costs and accommodation. As it is, the total cost of the event will be north of £1,000. The maximum we’ll make from ticket sales might be £400’ish.

Q: Where is it being held?
We’ve hired a lovely room at The Midlands Arts Centre, with all mod cons. A bar serving drinks and light snacks will be open before the event and during the 30-minute interval. There’s also a couple of car parks near the venue.

Q: Will there be books available to buy?
In short – no. Between the four of of us, we’ve written around fifty books, and we’d need to bring six copies of each. As three of us will be making the journey to Birmingham using public transport, moving a few hundred books around just isn’t feasible. For that reason, if you’d like us to sign a book, please bring it with you and we’ll happily oblige.

Q: Will the event be recorded/streamed?
Alas not, because we just don’t have the budget to hire the required equipment and technician. It has been suggested that we simply use mobile phones to record it, but the sound quality would be appalling.

Q: I have another question – where can I ask it?
Feel free to drop me an email via the contact link at the top of the page.

Oh, if anyone is staying in Birmingham overnight and would like to join us for a few drinks after the event (in central Birmingham – venue TBC), you’d be very much welcome.

There’s clearly something wrong with the space-time continuum because it seems like only five minutes ago that we were complaining about the summer heat. Now, it’s chuffing cold, and Noddy Holder is haunting my dreams. 2022 really has flown by.

On the writing front, I was hoping to publish three books in 2022, but I didn’t quite make it. I published The Strange Appeal of Dougie Neil in March, and Clement made his return in Eminence back in August. And, talking of returns, I’m 80% through a brand new novel featuring Mungo Thunk, titled The Way We Thunk. All being well, our peculiar friend will arrive on Amazon in February. 

One reason I didn’t quite hit my three-book target was that I’ve had to clear a backlog of audiobooks. 

Long story short, I signed over the rights of my first eight books to one of the UK’s largest audiobook publishers. At the time, it felt like validation because we indie authors aren’t considered ‘proper’ authors until we’ve signed a publishing deal. It turns out that there’s bugger-all money in traditional publishing – I think they give it all to Richard Osman.

Anyway, I decided not to sign away any more of my rights and to manage the production of my own audiobooks. Each one is an expensive and time-consuming task, but I managed to release four this year, and I’m now up to date, thank God! If audiobooks are your thing, you can find ALL of mine on Audible and iTunes.

Looking forward to 2023, Mungo will arrive in February, and then I’m planning to write a new time-travel novel set in the 1980s (no surprise there). I’m still kicking a few ideas around, but the reason I don’t just write time-travel novels is that it’s not easy coming up with genuinely original ideas. I love the nostalgic elements in all my books, but I don’t want to rely on that nostalgia in lieu of a compelling story. Once I’ve nailed an idea I’m happy with, I’ll post more info, and that’s likely to be in March. 

Regarding Clement, the feedback on Eminence has been fantastic, and I’m so grateful/relieved that the vast majority of readers enjoyed his return. However, sales haven’t been quite as good as I had hoped, so I’ve decided to delay the second book in the series (Catfished) until the sales hit a certain target. The reason for that is simple – when an author releases books in a series, the market is limited to people who’ve read the first book in that series. With a standalone book, your target is literally anyone and everyone. Taking all this into account, I’m quietly confident that the next Clement book will land in 2023, but it’ll be towards the end of the year. 

I think that’s about it for now, but no doubt I’ll have more to say next year.

All that remains is for me to wish you a fantastic Christmas and a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2023. As always, my eternal thanks for your ongoing support and kindness – as I’ve said many times before, I wouldn’t be writing this update (or anything much) if it wasn’t for you.

Best wishes

Keith

It seems only five minutes ago we were tucking into mince pies and drunkenly bumbling through Auld Lang Syne, but the Daffodils sprouting up in the garden suggest spring is now very much upon us.

I’ve just hit the publish button on my thirteenth novel, The Strange Appeal of Dougie Neil, and now that’s out of the way, I’m going to take a few days to de-stress. The run-up to every new release is incredibly stressful and being an indie author (independently published), there’s no one to delegate tasks to. And, even after the book is published, there’s the stress of waiting for reader feedback – as hard as any author tries to write a book they hope their readers will love, you never really know how it’ll be received. Anyway, it’s out there now and if you haven’t read it yet, I genuinely do hope you enjoy meeting Dougie.

Now, for my next book…

If you haven’t already seen my posts on social media, I’ve committed a politician-grade U-turn regarding a certain denim-clad character. With that, I’m delighted to announce my fourteenth novel will be titled Clem: Dark Side of The Pond. It’ll be set in America and if it proves popular, it might well be the first in a new series of novels featuring Clement. If the writing gods are kind to me, I’m hoping to release it before the end of August. Keep an eye on socials and my blog for more information as it becomes available.

Whilst writing, this is probably a good opportunity to answer a question I’m frequently asked regarding Kindle Unlimited (KU). If you don’t know what KU is, it’s Amazon’s subscription service whereby you can read an unlimited amount of books in return for a monthly fee (£7.99, I think). It’s up to each author/publisher whether they sign-up to KU but I’ve enrolled every one of my books from day one – in fact, it’s how my writing career initially gained traction.

To put minds at rest, there’s not a lot of difference between what I earn from someone reading one of my books in KU compared to a straight purchase. To be frank, even if the difference was significant, I’d still enrol my books in KU because it’s a great way for readers to discover lesser-known authors (like me) without the risk of buyer’s remorse.

Right, that’s about it for now – I’ve got a book to write!

As always, thank you so much for your support and positive vibes. I think I’d have lost my mind long ago if it wasn’t for the lovely emails and messages I receive from readers. Every one of them is appreciated.

Take care

Keith x

On the 15th October 2021, it’ll be exactly five years since the day I first published The ’86 Fix. I can’t quite believe how quickly those five years have flown, or how my career has unfolded since that day, but here we are