I generally don't get around to doing these 'year in review' type blog posts, but I'm feeling the need to give a little bit of a glance in the mirror for all that happened during the year. I can safely say that I've been *busy*, which is a good thing – I've had paid work during a time when many creative folks are struggling, and for that I'm insanely grateful to my brilliant clients who've helped me keep the lights on.
While I'm still doing a fair amount of graphic design professionally, this work is gradually moving away from straight-up graphics to more layout work, which is my wheelhouse. I've had the opportunity to do interior layouts and even a little cover design for some fiction projects. I get a real kick in helping authors figure out, step by step, how to get their projects from concept and Word document to a physical object they can hold in their hands. This sort of process never gets old for me.
Fiction editing remains one of my mainstays, and I've had an absolute blast editing not only for my indie authors, but also taking on work for assorted small presses. I firmly believe in charging editing rates that won't break my clients' bank accounts but still brings in enough income to make this worth my time. I love my work, and it makes me so excited to see the books I've worked on toddling out into the world. I've also transitioned to coaching writers privately, something I really enjoy doing, so if you think this year coming that you'd like to give writing a shot, but have no idea where to begin or how to go about this, drop me a mail and let's chat – my rates are entirely reasonable, and I have two decades' experience in the industry to share.
In terms of writing, I've been insanely busy. Work continues apace with The Splintered Fool, a five-book series that I co-authored with Toby Bennett. Book 2 is currently in the layout stage, but you can go pick up book 1, which was a semi-finalist in this year's Self Published Fantasy Blog Off. If epic swords-and-sandals quests with plenty of snark between characters plus absolutely bonkers world building curls your toes, then do go take a look. What has been taking up much of my time is an epic science-fantasy series I've been ghostwriting for my client. It's been a weird mental shift to have someone pay me for my writing – and to show up in terms of consistent output, but it's been incredibly good for my confidence and also developing stamina for this kind of work. I'm currently delivering 7.5k words a week, and if you'd told me I'd manage this a few years ago, I'd never have believed you. Lastly, I'm currently working on a shorter bit of writing for the younger market that I'm intending to translate into Afrikaans for a big writing prize. So, that's something new, a little different, and lots of fun.
Plans for 2025? Honestly, I'm not going to make any wild promises. I'm more interested in continuing on an even keel. That's all I can ask for. For those of you who've supported me, offered encouragement, I thank you. I'm sure we're going to have many 'exciting' things to add to our bingo card for 2025, but let's go into the year with kindness. To ourselves. And others. We're going to need it.
What I've read...
My favourite books for 2024 are a mix of titles I've worked on as well as those I've reviewed or simply read for pleasure. Some are new, having come out in the past year, while others are a little older. I've presented the books in alphabetical order by author.
Inside Your Body There Are Flowers by Diane Awerbuck
Honestly, if you have not yet picked up a copy of this book, you're so missing out. Sadly, I suspect most folks overseas are going to fall in this category as the book is (at time of writing) only available in South Africa. Diane remains one of my favourite local authors, and I may be a little biased as I have in the past edited two of the stories that appear in this collection of hers. Her stories are darkly witty, have a cutting sense of black humour, and seamlessly blend magical realism with the day to day. What is criminal is that this collection of short fiction hasn't been nommed for bunches of literary prizes.
Cassiel's Servant by Jacqueline Carey
I've been meaning to reread Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Dart for ages now. The books in that series were hugely influential on me wanting to write darkly lush stories. While Carey's writing remains a known quantity for me, I find it curious how I view her style now that I'm older and have a few novels under my belt. There is much to love here, even if I feel the plot wears a little thin in places. Odd couple Phèdre and Joscelin remain among my favourite pairings, and it was lovely to see a beloved story retold through the eyes of Joscelin. I'd recommend this for those wishing to embark on the rather daunting body of work in this world.
Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott
This one came out a while ago, and if it's a measure of how dire my TBR pile is, it's taken me ages to get around to picking it up. I eventually listened to the audiobook version, and it was everything I needed in a fun, action-packed space opera full of twists and turns. This is best described as a gender-bent Alexander the Great in space, and it's chock full of unforgettable characters. Kate's been one of my long-time favourite authors, and her writing is strong on all fronts, especially her world building.
The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston
Whenever I pick up one of Cameron's books, I know I'm going to have a cracking time. And I seem to be on a roll for loving gender-bent books. This one is best described as Die Hard by way of the Bronze Age, with a hard-bitten, older female protagonist who is honestly so over certain men in her line of work as a guard. This is pulpy, fun, and action-packed, with loads of the old ultra-violence. Also, Cameron's one of my favourite people online.
The Tilted Pentagram by Matthew MacDevette
Righty, so a good while back, the publisher at Mirari Press requested a reader report from me for this book. I was convinced Matt wrote this book with me in mind, because I was practically begging the publisher to let me edit if he contracted this. The premise makes me think a lot of Robert Harris's Fatherland, but in this case the concept asks, "what if the Catholic Church never had its Reformation?" We enter a world of fire-wielding witches, inquisitors, and forbidden magic. I will say no more, but if you're looking for a tense, dark read with a strong female lead, then this one will have you clawing at your chair. Yes, I got to edit this book. Matt is a fantastic author worth keeping an eye out for.
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
This is possibly one of the cleverest books I've read in a long, long time. Elif effortlessly tells three tales that are woven together so that at first you wonder how they are connected ... until they spin together. I really don't want to spoil this by giving too many details, but I will say that she writes with great compassion about some truly difficult subjects. It's a story about people whose lives are separated by years yet are connected by water, by rivers. It's about history, about the stories we tell, and it's about people saving each other.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
I've been promising myself that I'd read this book ever since it came out, and don't cast shade, but this year I finally got around to it. It's epic in scope, verging on Tolkienesque, and I loved the world building immensely. And yes! Dragons! My only complaint is that I feel that Samantha underbaked the ending a wee smidge. Some of the threads could have been developed more. But overall, I'm definitely on board for more of her writing. Characters, setting, world building – it's great! And epic! Definitely scratching my itch for fantasy with a big scope for story.
Remnant by KR Solberg and CR Jacobson
I've been itching for some fresh voices in epic fantasy, and I'm very excited to have discovered Solberg and Jacobson. Their writing is fresh, the characters are intensely relatable and likeable – and who doesn't love a story about the underdog rebelling against an evil empire. This feels like a massive D&D world that's come to life but in the best of ways. There's a sense of history and place in a gloriously multicultural setting filled with magic and the kinds of bad guys you love to hate. I gave the audiobook a spin, and was immediately sucked in, and I will shamelessly plug this book – plus there's more to come. Some excellent storytelling here.
Bunny by SE Tolsen
I don't read horror nearly as much as I would like to, and while I've seen my fair share of short horror fiction, it's been a while since I've dipped into a novel-length work. I must congratulate the writing duo behind this book for creating a story that has successfully creeped me the heck out. I never considered that it might be possible to put jump-scares into a work of fiction but they have managed to do so. This is a creepy blend of landscape and cosmic horror with all-too-human darkness – and most certainly deserves the spot in my top ten. Goober is the best boi.
Waypoint Seven by Xan van Rooyen
Another bit of bias creeping in here because this is one I edited. I am a huge fan of Xan's writing, and if our stars ever align one day, we will hopefully collaborate on a work together as our aesthetics are what I'd consider a perfect match. This is a wonderful queer science-fantasy story that spans solar systems. Found family and friendships are foregrounded here, with hints of a world much broader in scope than what is revealed here. I hope Xan revisits this setting in the future.
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