So we’re finally coming to the end of the year!
This year has been a very mixed one for me. Professionally, everything has been great – An Inheritance of Magic was released to good early sales, and I wrote and edited Book 2 in the series, An Instruction in Shadow. That book is now with my publishers, and I’m gearing up to start Book 3; if all goes to plan, it should be finished by midsummer of next year.
Outside of my writing, things have been more difficult. I don’t generally talk about my personal life on this blog, but the short version is that I had some family losses in 2022-2023, and most of the past year and a half has been spent dealing with the consequences. It’s led to a situation where my professional career is going great, but I haven’t really been in a position to enjoy it. Unfortunately, this isn’t likely to change any time soon. Perhaps by this time next year things will have stabilised, but perhaps not.
For those who are wondering, this isn’t likely to slow down my writing – more the opposite, if anything. I’m the kind of author who tends to use my writing to work through whatever’s currently preoccupying me, with the result that if I’m going through a difficult time, I’m actually likely to end up spend more time working, rather than less.
In any case, I hope you all have had a good Christmas and that your 2023s have gone well. Next week’s blog post will be some announcements about what I’ve got coming in the next few months, so I’ll see you all in the New Year!
I’m very sorry to hear about your losses and the difficult times that are yet ahead. I hope you have all the support you need, and even though it may not look like it right now, I wish you a happy New Year. May things stabilise soon, and in a way that you and your family can enjoy all aspects of life once again!
Benedict,
I am so very sorry for your losses.
Thanks for sharing a bit about your personal losses. I hope things settle down in the new year so you can more fully enjoy your professional successes (and life in general).
Sorry for your losses. I do hope your 2024 is a good one. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the books.
Thank you for sharing and I do hope that things are easing off now and that you have family and friends around to support you. I know how horrible it can be to lose close family, but time goes on and blunts the pain but, sadly, it stays there for a long time.
I look forward to the ‘announcements’ next week and the well-deserved success of IoM #1 (and #2 later in the year) but don’t bury yourself too deeply in writing but continue to enjoy real life too. (I can’t believe I said that as I really, really want the next chapters in the story!)
I’m very sorry about your losses. It is so very unfair, but it’s what you have to deal with.
May you know more happiness next year, your books helped me through some tough times. And if there’s even a scrap of magic in real world, may the good wishes come true for you, Mr. Jacka
Sorry to hear about your loss, I had that happen in early 2000’s, but big family helped me over it. The loss still sneaks up on me at times, so hope you have the support when you need it.
On a chearier note as an eager new reader/listener looking forward to the new series, I have already devoured your first series and first book of new series on audible, even with the spelling/pronounciation of sigl and not sigil over the last 2 weeks.
Looking forward to the new releases over the next decade
I am another reader sending compassion and empathy your way. I hope things are easier next year and beyond.
Wishing you all the best! May 2024 be a great year both professionally and personally.
Gus, if you compare the audiobook and the ebook, the word is “sigl” (sig-uhl) pronounced correctly by the narrator, Will Watt, on Mr. Jacka’s specific instruction. 🙂 It’s apparently an old English word meaning gemstone, not the word “sigil” (sihg-il) that we expected. Threw me for a loop too, but Mr. Jacka explained this in a reddit AMA and an answer to a question on goodreads.