Happy New Year. I hope you’ve all had a great festive season. Did you have a good 2025? Like most of us, I was having a look back over the last twelve months to see if I’d actually managed to accomplish any of my goals!
For me, the dream remains to be a bestselling author. Spoiler alert – I’m not one … yet. But I’m making progress in the right direction, which can only be a good thing.
Last year saw plenty of highs and, as with life in general, there were a few lows. I also had a few unexpected moments but more on that later. Here are a few highlights and, if you’ll indulge me, an opportunity to give myself a little pat on the back.
- I published Chosen Lies – the explosive finale to my Apokeri Bay Trilogy
- I’ve now written and published four books (including a spin-off dark romance Agnes Karapetsa is All at Sea)
- I surpassed my 2025 book selling target and sold almost three times the amount of books I did in 2024
- I gave seven author talks
- I did two book signings at independent bookshops
- I had an author stall at 20 markets/fairs
- I joined a book club
- I smashed my Goodreads Challenge target and posted almost 20 book reviews.
I mentioned a few unexpected moments and one of those resulted in me appearing on a Sky documentary. Okay, it was only for about two seconds but an all-important two seconds I’d like to think. And it all came about after reading an inspirational non-fiction book which I reviewed back in 2024. Fast forward to 2025 and I received a message from a production company asking for permission to include my book review video in a documentary. I said yes, and the next thing I popped up on Sky’s The Salt Path Scandal. After extensive investigative journalism, it would now appear that the bestselling author of that particular book wasn’t being entirely honest in the retelling of their life events which I find very sad.
Last year flew as I juggled a writing career with my day job, finished a house extension and crammed in camping trips and made the most of any spare time. I love the great outdoors and will always try to squeeze in a walk wherever possible (having a seven-year-old Miniature Schnauzer helps).
A massive thank you must go to my nearest and dearest for all their ongoing love, support and patiently listening to me ranting on at times. Thank you to all the brilliant and inspiring people I’ve met over the last twelve-months. The book community and artisan market community are incredibly supportive and friendly. And thank you to all the fantastic readers who’ve taken my Apokeri Bay Series to their hearts. Without all of you, none of what I do would be possible.
Here’s to 2026. Bring it on.