With Christmas looming and the end of another year in sight, I thought it was a good time to post an update. To be precise, more of a reflection on 2025 and a bit of news on what I’ve got planned for 2026.
As anyone who’s been following me will know, the last twelve months have been a bit of a rollercoaster for one reason or another. Life, eh? And the problem with writing novels for a living is that you’re at the mercy of your creative spark. Alas, mine burned out back in March after I finished The Fourth Clause. Consequently, I only managed one release in 2025, which is poor by my standards.
That’s the past, though, and the good news is that I’m back at my keyboard. The spark has reignited and the words are flowing.
That brings me nicely on to my plans for 2026.
A few months ago, I started the third book in the Angel of Camden series, featuring Clement — Haverstock. I managed about a quarter of that book before writer’s block put the kibosh on my progress. The trouble with the Clement books is that they’re relatively plot-heavy, and I need to tie each one into the previous instalment thematically. In short, they’re not easy books to write at the best of times, let alone when you’re suffering a creative drought.
Stuck again, and as a last resort, I scoured my long list of book ideas in search of inspiration — ideally a standalone concept that would get the juices flowing again. And I’m pleased to say I did find a suitable idea lurking on that list.
Without going into too much detail, or hexing my progress, I’m relieved to say I’m almost halfway through writing an entirely new book — The Last Stop Video Shop. I won’t say too much at this point, but the words are coming easily and I’m confident I’ll finish the manuscript early in 2026. That means a new release in February/March. Of that, I’m confident.
As for Haverstock, I’ll be returning to the manuscript in a much better state of mind once I’ve finished The Last Stop Video Shop. Writing is like any discipline — if you stop for a prolonged period, it’s a challenge getting back into your stride. Rest assured, though, Clement will return before you head off on your summer holidays.
If I’ve learned anything over my nine-year writing career, it’s that planning ahead is all well and good, but the human mind doesn’t always cooperate. It’s not as reliable as most tools, particularly when it’s dealing with the emotional curveballs life likes to throw.
As it happens, 2026 will mark the tenth anniversary of the day I penned the first words of my first novel, The ’86 Fix. I still can’t believe that was almost a decade ago — or how much that book changed the course of my life.
Anyway, that’s enough navel-gazing for one update.
Thanks, truly, for sticking with me through the quieter months — your support has meant more than you probably realise. Here’s to a calmer, more creative 2026. And if life decides to throw any more curveballs my way, I’ll at least try to dodge them with a bit more dignity this time.
I wish you a wonderful Christmas and, more importantly, a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2026.
Keith x
