Life didn’t really go to plan in 2016. Perhaps that is a phrase many will use when reviewing the year, and my writing year was no exception.

Firstly, I must apologise for the lack of any new book releases this year. I had originally planned two, but for various reasons I will not bore you with, both were delayed. The only thing I can say as a means of reassurance is that both novels in question – The Thistlewood Curse and The Faerie Gate – are still planned as my next releases. The former I hope to release early next year and the latter late next year. I appreciate that “watch this space” is hardly an encouraging phrase given my setbacks on these novels, but I honestly and sincerely do hope to have a proper, concrete announcement, at least on The Thistlewood Curse, very early in the New Year.

To be fair, 2016 wasn’t all bad news, at least from my perspective. I completed two new novels, The Deviant Prophet and The Balliol Conspiracy. The former is a dark, grown-up fairy tale (think Pan’s Labyrinth meets Alice in Wonderland via Coraline and Spirited Away). Thematically, it is something of a companion piece to my most successful novel to date, Children of the Folded Valley.

By contrast, The Balliol Conspiracy is a thriller that draws tonal inspiration from The 39 Steps and North by Northwest.  Due to being a good deal lighter than some of my more recent writing, it represents something of a departure for me. In fact, keeping it light proved a struggle, as my natural tendency is to introduce darker elements which were not appropriate here. Time will tell whether or not I succeeded.

I already have my next three books lined up and will announce those writing plans soon. In the meantime, I wish 2016 good riddance and look forward next year.

Get my most successful novel Children of the Folded Valley absolutely FREE on Amazon Kindle – for five days only!

Here is the blurb from the back of the book:

During a journey to visit his estranged sister, James Harper recalls his childhood growing up in a mysterious valley cut off from the outside world, as part of a cult called the Folded Valley Fellowship.

In this seemingly idyllic world, the charismatic Benjamin Smiley claimed to be protecting his followers from an impending nuclear apocalypse.

But the valley concealed a terrifying secret.

A secret that would change Smiley’s followers forever.

Here is a sample of the many raves reviews (mainly from the Amazon page):

“I don’t usually leave reviews but I felt so strongly about encouraging people to read this fantastic book. It had me captured from start to finish. At one stage in the book I actually thought it was a true story.” – Paul, Amazon.

“The use of re-written religious doctrine to control, govern and frighten is particularly chilling… Full marks to Simon Dillon for this creative and highly readable novel.” – Around Robin, Amazon.

“Creepy and unnerving. Kept me gripped the whole way through.” – Lucyboo, Amazon.

“I couldn’t put it down.” – Bukky, Amazon.

“Really well written, well thought through, compassionate… Full of empathy.” – Over, Amazon.

“So well written, you could believe it was a memoir.” – Shelley, Amazon.

“A perturbing and very original story… The ending is magnificent.” – Joan, Goodreads.

Children of the Folded Valley can be downloaded FREE from Amazon Kindle here. Of course, if digital books aren’t your thing, print copies (not free) can be ordered here.