I'm very pleased to announce ...

... that, after much searching, I have finally found a new publisher. Read on for more details ...

Last year, Darkstroke Books decided to leave the publishing business.  They formally closed the company on September 30th.  My Jacques Forêt series of mysteries were written, pored over, edited and published during my eight years with them.  Darkstroke also provided me with opportunities to try my hand at other types of writing.  The Dark World series of charity anthologies they instigated and published became the perfect place for Le Corbeau Blanc and Treading - two short stories in very different genres.  The first is a monologue spoken by the spirit of a white raven (yes, I know, really weird!), and the second is a historical mystery about Deal Porters on the docks in London.  I doubt I could have placed either of those pieces of writing anywhere had it not been for Darkstroke.  To say that I will miss everyone at Darkstroke is a massive understatement.  I cut my writing teeth with that publisher and alongside a cadre of excellent authors.  Luckily, I remain connected to my previous colleagues through social media and occasionally catch up with some of them in person, too.

But things change.  Being faced with finding a new publisher was very daunting.  I rarely, if ever, walk away from a challenge, no matter how difficult it may seem at the outset.  As a result, I am very pleased to say that I have signed a contract with Northodox Press.  The company describes itself as 'an independent publisher established in 2020, based in Sheffield and Manchester.'  Their stated mission is 'to elevate northern voices and represent the diversity of writing from Northern England.'  As a Yorkshire lass, born and bred, there was no way I could walk away from that!  I am overwhelmed that Northodox think that my cosy little mysteries are worth their investment.  I am also looking forward to what I hope will be a long and fruitful working association.

In practical terms, all of this means that my Jacques Forêt stories will be republished over the coming weeks and months.  I will, of course, update readers about the publishing schedule once it is finalised.  A new contract also means that the seventh book, Meyrueis, will be published later this year, and the following two books now have a publishing home as well.  I can not begin to describe the sense of relief that I feel knowing that Jacques, his son, his colleagues and the villagers of Messandrierre are in the safe hands of Northodox Press.  For me, there could not have been a more fitting start to 2025.

If you are also a writer who lives in, or is from the north of England and want to know more about Northodox, then check out their website Here

If you want to know more about Meyrueis, please watch this space and, in particular, look out for my April Author Challenge.