We were due to have our annual RWNZ conference at the end of last month, but because of Covid, it ended up not happening. I’d already had my leave booked, so a writer friend came to stay instead and we had our own mini writing retreat. Another writer friend joined us for part of it, and we all came away feeling as though our wells had been filled, and we were raring to go again.

Writing can be very isolating. Non-writer friends don’t always get what we’re going through, or what can be a daily struggle to find time to write. Life seems to know exactly when to rear its head, and even the excitement of a decent word count, or a healthy amount of pre-orders can be so easily dismissed by others who don’t realise just why you’re clinging onto the feeling you’re achieving things.

One of the ways we came up to combat this was author accountability. Going forward we made a pact to meet for half an hour to an hour a week on Zoom. During these meetings we’ll share the good things that happened this week, what we didn’t manage to get done, and our plans for the following week.

So far we’ve had three of these meetings, and I’m finding them very helpful. Not only for keeping myself on track and accountable, but knowing I can share my news with writer friends who will get where I’m coming from, and remind me that although some weeks it doesn’t feel like this, yes I am achieving things. I also like that it’s a three way street and that I’m able to support them in the same way.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m working on getting my backlist out. It was great to be able to sit down with other writers and work out a plan for that. Did I mention I’m loving my new planner?

Anyway, I’m aiming for a book every two months until I’ve caught up and then I’ll go back to my usual 1-2 new releases a year. I figure if I keep to two monthly and build a cushion with the books that need less work, I’ll be able to use that to rework and finish my two series, which are way overdue.

That’s the plan anyway. Wish me luck. I’m reminding myself that despite real life setbacks, I’ve had 6 new releases over the last year.

I’m excited that Family and Reflection, Book 3 of The Sleepless City series I wrote with Elizabeth Noble, is back out into the world.

When a rebel werewolf and a vampire thief fall in love, only one thing is certain—trouble.

For as long as Lucas Coate can remember, werewolves have been taught to mistrust vampires. Lucas is an exception—he has close friends who are vampires. The werewolf pack in Boggslake—and their leader, Jacob Coate—have made it clear that Lucas’s association with vampires is barely tolerated, and another transgression will be his last. When Lucas finds out about the plague of werewolf deaths in the area, he wants to help even though his own life may already be in danger.

Declan has been away from Boggslake for ten years, but he isn’t surprised to learn that the internal politics of the Supernatural Council haven’t changed for the better. When a series of burglaries hit close to home soon after he arrives, Declan—a vampire and professional thief—is their prime suspect, although for once, he isn’t responsible. With the council keeping secrets, no one is safe. Time is running out, and for Lucas and Declan, everything is about to change.

Author’s Note: This story was originally released in 2015 by another publisher. This edition has been re-edited.

Buy Link

Look out for Shadowboxing, Book 1 of my WWII Echoes Rising series in November.

Meantime I’d love to see some of you in my readers group and/or signing up for my newsletter.