2016: A New Year for Me (And Daisy and Hazel)

January 8, 2016

It’s 2016, and the end of the first working week – my very first as a full-time author.

It still seems strange to say out loud, like I might be lying or confused. But it really does seem to be true. I get to do this all day (and all evening, and at weekends) – writing about Daisy and Hazel is my job. When I sit down to start writing my next book, next week, I’ll be able to spend hours at a time working on it, so I can make sure I actually get my head into the world and story I’m creating. It’s a pretty obvious writing tip – have enough time to write – but I couldn’t follow it before. I’ve given myself an amazing chance, and my resolution for this year is not to mess that up.

If I need to, I can now spend all day reading about 1930s chocolates (did you know Terry’s Chocolate Oranges were introduced to the UK in 1932?), Cambridge climbing societies, 1930s fashion, and the Raj, while listening to Cole Porter (that is what I did on Tuesday). I can take time to think about my characters and make sure that their stories all fit together properly (that is what I did yesterday). I can sit down and read the whole of Gaudy Night (this is still ongoing). It all sounds suspiciously like fun to me, and probably to you, but I know that because I’ve got time to do this, book 5 will be so much better than it could have been if I’d had another job.

I’m incredibly excited about book 5, by the way. It will take place in Cambridge at Christmas, and feature Daisy’s brother Bertie, as well as Alexander from First Class Murder. I’m incredibly clear that my books have always been and will always be written for both boys and girls, but I like that I’m now able to write them about boys as well as girls.

So that’s what’s ahead for me over the next four months in terms of writing. But, of course, not having another job means that I’ll have more time to travel and meet all of you. If you’d like to come see me talk, I’ve begun to update the 2016 calendar – take a look through it here. This will keep on being added to, of course – and it also doesn’t include my school visit schedule, which is already filling up! If you’re a teacher or librarian who’d like me to visit you, please do email me. I charge fairly standard rates, and I’m happy to talk either to large groups or smaller workshops. If you work for a mixed school, please note that I will not do gender-segregated talks – but, of course, if you are a single sex school I’m still very happy to visit!

And finally, I’ve got quite a few books and stories out this year. I’m not sure I’ve ever actually listed them all in one place – so here they are!

4th February: The Case of the Blue Violet. An ebook short story narrated by Daisy Wells. Pre-order here.

24th March: Jolly Foul Play. Daisy and Hazel’s fourth full-length adventure! Visit the book’s website page here.

26th April: Poison is Not Polite. Daisy and Hazel’s second adventure (published in the UK as Arsenic for Tea) comes to America! Visit the book’s website page here.

5th May: Mystery & Mayhem. This is an anthology of detective stories by 12 amazing children’s authors. I’ve taken a break from Wells & Wong to contribute a short story that is totally new! Pre-order here.

September 2016: Digital short 2. Another ebook short story narrated by Daisy. More details when I have them!

October 2016: Murder Most Unladylike Mystery Book 5. Title and release date still TBC – but this will be Daisy and Hazel’s fifth adventure, and it will be Christmassy!