Upcoming in 2023…
As we are already well into January (my meagre attempt at Dry January a distant memory), I thought an update on what 2023 holds for my fiction writing was something someone out there may possibly want to read. That may be overly optimistic on my part, but just view this article as a few minutes of not working (which can’t be bad).
New Short Story: Coming 9th February 2023!
My next short story will be published on 9 February 2023 by U.K. publisher, Literally Stories. The Bad Elf is a dark fantasy about a woman who takes revenge on those who wronged her family. I initially intended for this piece to be a dark comedy, but after writing the first draft realised it wasn’t funny at all, just dark. But either way it’s a story I loved writing and I hope you will enjoy reading. This is my first story publication with Literally Stories too, and hopefully the first of many more.
That elusive Agent…
My main focus in 2023 is to find an agent for my novel (a satirical fantasy based on my first published short story, The Infinite Woes of Being a Hero). The novel has been finished for a year now but events in 2022 mean I haven’t started the arduous process of trying to get an agent. I am under no illusion, it’s a notoriously tough process and nothing is guaranteed – even if I get an agent they then have to get me a publisher (which is even more difficult) – but if you don’t try you don’t get. So keep all your fingers and toes crossed.
More Bloody Short Stories…
With three short stories ready to fire off to publishers, five more in draft, and ideas for seventeen more in my brain, 2023 will hopefully be the year of the short story. I am particularly excited about two stories in the final stages of editing: This Summer Dream and I Can Explain… both of which have been ideas for years and are finally close to the finished article. Fingers crossed publishers out there will take them on. So keep your eyes open and check out my Instagram page for updates.
With a flash new website to boot…
I revamped my website at the end of 2022, improving visuals, useability, and adding a humour page (for those who want to focus on my cheery work). Check it out for links to all my published short stories, my interview with Bandit Fiction on their podcast, poetry and more.
And a tiny sprinkle of poetry…
Also, look out for more of my lyrical poetry, which will be released on my website at intervals during 2023. After 25 years of song writing I have filled several books with lyrics – some good, some not so good – and my poetry page showcases some of the best. It’s not poetry in the fancy sense, but if you like song lyrics or hearing a ginger Millennial whinge about love, then these are just the thing for you.
Time to crack on…
And that’s it. Thank you as always to my readers, without which writing fiction is a pretty pointless task. Fiction writing can be lonely, thankless, and certainly isn’t well-paid, but it keeps me sane. And I am grateful for every person who reads and shares my fiction.
Watch this space…
Dave
