A very Happy New Year from the Dillon Empire. I hope you are enjoying your holiday. As per New Year’s Day tradition, it’s time to reveal some of my writing plans for 2024.

My top priority is writing my next novel. I spent the second half of 2023 researching, creating character profiles, and outlining my next mystery thriller, tentatively titled False Witness, though I promise that title will change. The plot remains a closely guarded secret at present, but I will say it concerns a female protagonist with a terrible secret in her past. Yes, I know lots of my horror-thriller novels feature imperilled heroines with dark secrets, but this one is darker than I’ve gone before, and involves a particularly intriguing premise, though I say so myself. I’m very excited about writing it and will keep you updated on progress.

I may also release another anthology of short stories this year, though please don’t hold me to it. If I do, it is likely to be a collection of dark fairy tales and fantasy stories, some of which you may already have seen on Medium, Substack, or elsewhere, and some of which I have yet to write. I may include my short story Papercut, which you can download free here, if you’re interested in a sample. I intend to write more short stories this year too, not necessarily just those that will appear in a hypothetical anthology.

Beyond this, I hope to finish another significant chunk of my epic sequel to an as-yet unpublished children’s fantasy novel I wrote ten years ago, tentatively entitled The Faerie Gate (though that title will almost certainly change). This sequel has proved something of a monster to write, proving a hugely ambitious work that I’ve undertaken on and off over the past three years. I’m currently about halfway through, and my modest goal for this year is to get two-thirds of the way through. This story may wind up being split into three separate volumes akin to The Lord of the Rings, but I’m not certain yet. At any rate, given that the first book remains unreleased, this is likely to be a long-term project.

On top of this, I plan to revise and polish A Thorn in Winter, the mystery thriller novel I wrote last year. At the same time, I will keep showcasing The Hobbford Giant to agents and publishers, in the hope of finally cracking that mainstream publication deal. I am not giving up on that front and will keep you informed of all developments.

Perhaps, at the end of 2024, I’ll have achieved all the above. Perhaps not. Either way, as always, watch this space. Thank you so much for your ongoing support of my writing endeavours, and again, I wish you all a Happy New Year.