I've realised that the last time I blogged was in September. I have still have a pile of book reviews to write and my resolution to blog more often this year instead of relying on social media has fallen by the wayside. But if you're reading this now, fantastic.
I don't celebrate Christmas nor do I go way out to observe NYE, though this year I will be having low-key gatherings with my closest friends and the few remaining family I have that still speak to me.
For me the more important date is today, the Summer Solstice, and this year I've had the incredible privilege of being able to celebrate this in one of my favourite spaces: the Klein Karoo. We booked three nights in Red Stone Hills at one of the cottages on the farm. Our little spot is a thatch-roofed dwelling with thick walls, a reed-and-clay ceiling and thatch roof, that was built in 1876. Despite the daytime temperatures that soar well past 30°C on the thermometer, it's a comfortable 20°C inside, which is perfect.
Bird's Nest cottage perches on the flanks of the iconic red hills – oxidised conglomerate outcroppings that crust the khaki-green veld studded with iconic Aloe microstigma and Cotyledon orbiculata. A venerable giant Peruvian pepper tree spreads its weeping branches out back, providing welcome shade. We face a verdant valley where almond orchards create a vivid splash of green and a willow-and-bamboo-lined river flows. Admittedly, it's been a very dry summer, so the river has been reduced to a few puddles, but the valley itself is still quite lush. The bougainvillea planted in and around the houses here offer vivid splashes of magenta.
This is a birdwatchers' paradise, with everything from the shy neddicky, Karoo Prinia, and common chat making up the ranks of the LBJs; to all three species of mousebirds; assorted raptors, like pale chanting goshawk (which we were privileged to see); malachite sunbirds; blacksmith plovers; laughing doves; Cape turtle doves... And bats. Loads of bats at night. We've also been warned that there are leopard, and we did see baboons up in the hills yesterday.
Someone asked me on Threads earlier this week why I would want to go to the Karoo. My answer is complex. My dad was born in Hanover and grew up in Aberdeen, descended from sheep farmers who operated in the area. I spent many childhood holidays every year in September/October at a farmstay in the Cederberg. And since then, we've also enjoyed visiting at the farm Wolverfontein near Plathuis in the Ladismith area. Nieu Bethesda near Graaff-Reinet is another place that's very dear to me, home of my beloved Owl House. So, visiting the Karoo, Little or Groot, in my blood. I just naturally gravitate to these spaces.
I've learnt to rise early, before the heat, and do my first walk. Then spend the rest of the day lurking indoors reading, making art, working a little... Then at 5pm when it's cooler, walk again. Admire the stars at night. Love the wide-open spaces where everyone stops to have a chat, even if they're total strangers. People drive past and give you a little nod and wave. Life is just different here.
I heartily recommend Red Stone Hills cottages for a breakaway. It's an easy five-hour drive from Cape Town along the R62, with plenty of places for pitstops en route. It's self-catering, but you can arrange for breakfast and 'braai packs' at the farmhouse with Petro Potgieter, the host. Horse-back riding is offered by arrangement. A large swimming pool is available for guests' use at the reception area. There are two hiking trails, and bird-watching enthusiasts will be in for a treat. The cottages are well appointed, if rustic (which I like). The air fryer was a nice touch, and as a freelancer whose work follows her everywhere, I was simply delighted with the fast Wi-Fi. Although telly isn't our thing, there is DStv for those who like to watch. You're well situated here for day trips to various sights in the region, that boasts wine tasting, caving, driving, nature reserves, and more. An extra bonus: Red Stone Hills cottages is pet friendly. Our Malinois Maia has had an absolute jol here.
By contrast, I live in Cape Town in a small 'village' near Simon's Town that I feel has the same vibe as a Karoo dorpie. I get the best of both worlds there, but every December, the world and his wife descends upon my city. The beaches and shops become a nightmare. You must add at least half an hour to 3/4 of an hour to any travel plans.
I don't begrudge people their plans to holiday in my home town. But I tend to either hunker down in my home during that time or strike out for the Karoo with its versengende hitte. I love the silence. The screaming cicadas at midday. The haunting call of the acacia pied barbet from the thorn thickets. I love meeting the people who live and work here, be they the farmer's wife or the labourer on his way home along the road. I love the way Afrikaans just rolls off my tongue – there's a way my mother tongue is spoken here that's just different from the city.
I've savoured every moment here, have tried to strike a good balance between relaxing and taking pecks at some of my work. I've completed some QA for the publisher I freelance for in the UK, and I've also set aside much-needed time to complete a short story for the Sauúti Collective – something I simply haven't had time for because the last quarter of 2025 was just so batshit crazy. Having dedicated time to writing has been a treat.
And what a year it's been.
We sadly lost Thomas's father in August after a short illness, so we've had that trauma to work through that has thankfully brought our little family closer. We are supporting his mum now, so that is an additional layer to our life.
I've stepped into doing client work with my big corporate client in addition to design, which although not something that I'm unfamiliar with, does add more responsibility to my plate. But it's all right. My clients at the company are wonderful, and they're all women around my age – so there's just a vibe there. And the work is familiar and easy to me.
I'm doing ebook QA, audiobook PDF layout, and alt text writing for a big publisher based in the UK – the money is a godsend when those pounds roll over into rands, and the pay is better than the minimum wage in the UK. So there is that. Even better: I enjoy the work immensely while it leans into all my skills sets.
Work is going apace on the 10-book science-fantasy series I'm writing and project managing. Books 1 and 2 of the Winter Mage series are being published by Mirari Press on February 21, and I've had the incredible privilege of collaborating with the very talented writer and editor Catriona Ross with Daniël Hugo illustrating the covers and the maps. It's really a dream job, and I'm so excited to invite people to step into this world.
I'm also gearing up to release book 1 of my five-book Scatterlings of Fate series, Call the Fire. At time of writing this blog, I've been embroiled in revisions, and I'm really in the trenches. I've made inroads with book 2, though am nowhere near hitting my stride there.
In terms of short fiction, I'm seeing the release of the Sauúti Collective collection entitled Terrors, which has one of my stories in it – we're still planning a launch early next year. I'm just waiting for the folks at Flame Tree to get back to me about availability of books here in South Africa. So, watch this space.
I'm also seeing the release of a short story in Mirari Press's next anthology Utopia/Havoc, which is super exciting. Which reminds me I still have a story on sub for an uber-cool subs call I'm waiting to hear about.
And while I'd love to set aside more time, I'm still very much in the proofreading trenches for the second book in the The Splintered Fool series. But we have cover art, and I've done the layouts. It's just not going as fast as I'd like it to.
I'm going into the end of the year absolutely shattered after a very challenging last quarter. I'm hoping to have some rest before everyone goes back to the office during the second week of January, which usually means I'll be working but not at the same frenetic pace I have usually. There is another bit of good news still to be announced, but I'm under NDA, so I'll simply have to be vague about it.
If the stars align, I'll have some funds set aside for a winter breakaway once my husband's current contract with a Netflix production ends.
But yeah, some highlights to look forward to are Comic Con Cape Town and Franschhoek Literary Festival next year, where I'll likely be showing face again. Other than that, here is your reminder that my books are available for order from all good book shops, as well as most online retailers like Amazon etc. Do support your friendly neighbourhood SFF author. And if you've read this far, and would like to give the first book of my fantasy duology, Inkarna, a spin, let me know by dropping me an email at nerinedorman@gmail.com – tell me you read this blog.
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