#Authors, #mediarequest, #writers Calling UK writers. Have you set up a UK financial Lasting Power of Attorney? I'm currently putting together an article about why writers should consider this and would love some input from those who've already gone through the process.

Looking forward to the Swadlincote Festival of Words tomorrow. If you're in the South Derbyshire area, check out the full programme here: there's lots to do (and not just my talk 😜): www.swadlincotefestivalofwords.co.uk/programme

A circular stroll around Nordy bank, Heath, Clee St Margaret and St St Milborough 6

A circular stroll around Nordy bank, Heath, Clee St Margaret and St St Milborough 5

A circular stroll around Nordy bank, Heath, Clee St Margaret and St St Milborough 4

A circular stroll around Nordy bank, Heath, Clee St Margaret and St St Milborough 3

A circular stroll around Nordy bank, Heath, Clee St Margaret and St St Milborough 2

A circular stroll around Nordy bank, Heath, Clee St Margaret and St St Milborough 1

Ooh, look! I'm the Crime Writers' Associations' Featured Author of the Month!

Ooh, look! 😁

January lasts forever and February is gone in the blink of an eye. Time to deliver the March issue of the Stretton Focus!

This week's visitors to the hedgehog feeding station include: 1. A hedgehog 2. A mouse 3. A cat!

A Snowy stroll up Caer Caradoc this morning: 4

A Snowy stroll up Caer Caradoc this morning: 3

A Snowy stroll up Caer Caradoc this morning: 2

A Snowy stroll up Caer Caradoc this morning: 1

Ooh, look! I'm on the front cover of the Burway Books' newsletter! (And I'm on their Bestseller list inside too ... twice!)

The hedgehog raided the fridge last night!

Calling all short story writers! Wrekin Writers has launched their 2026 Doris Gooderson Short Story competition. Details: 1200 words, any theme, £5 entry fee, 1st £200, 2nd £100, 3rd £50. Closing date 12th July 2026. Full details here: wrekinwriters.wordpress.com/doris-gooder...

Oh look!

Authors looking for beta-readers may find my article on the Writing Magazine website useful. Check it out here: writers-online.co.uk/how-to-write... #selfPublishing #betareaders #authors

Thank you Splashes Into Books for your lovely review of Flaming Murder splashesintobooks.wordpress.com/2026/01/27/f...

Thank you to MJ Porter for their review of Flaming Murder! mjporterauthor.blog/2026/01/25/t...

When you say "Aberdovey", but the AI transcription opts for another continent 😜

Read all five books in The Business of Writing series for free in Kindle Unlimited! amzn.to/45i6O3I

Flaming Murder is going on tour! Details below: www.simonwhaley.co.uk/flaming-murd...

Join Simon Whaley for Using AI for Self-Publishing, a practical, author-focused masterclass exploring how AI can support you at different stages within the self-publishing process - without losing your voice or creative control. Join us on Wednesday 21st January. https://writ.me/49VZAop

Looking to self-publish in 2026? Still places available on the next two webinars in my successful self-publishing series www.writers-online.co.uk/webinars

There's only a week to go for the first of three webinars I'm leading on self-publishing this January. The webinars will explore: 1) Self-publishing on Amazon, 2) Self-publish using Amazon alternatives, and 3) Using AI as a Self-publisher: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/self-publi...

A Christmas Day Walk 😁 youtu.be/zxQvChzhuf0

Today saw my 1,000th published magazine piece. That same magazine carried the news that its former editor, Jonathan Telfer, has passed away. Without his encouragement and support, that published figure would be nowhere near the tally that it is. Thank you Jonathan. RIP.

Finally, it's here! Book 3 in the Marquess of Mortiforde Mysteries. It's called Flaming Murder, and writing it was flaming murder, but it was worth it! simonwhaley.co.uk/flaming-murd...

Congratulations to this year's winner of the Doris Gooderson Short Story competition: wrekinwriters.wordpress.com/doris-gooder...

It’s not the same photo they used last Saturday because the weather is different! 🤣

Wasn't expecting to see a Snapper Simon photo today, but Shefali chose to use one this lunchtime that I took yesterday when the skies were brighter 😁

Sunny Severn-siding 5

Sunny Severn-siding 4

Sunny Severn-siding 3

Sunny Severn-siding 4

Sunny Severn-siding 3

Sunny Severn-siding 2

Sunny Severn-siding 1

No prizes for guessing which days I was dog-sitting last week 🤣

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a dog in want of a good life is in need of a human slave. Despite not starting slave duties until 7.30pm, there was still time this evening to put the dog guard in the back of the car and go out 🤣

Travelling down the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway: youtu.be/oF7Y-4sdQpU?...

Bridgnorth 6

Bridgnorth 5

Bridgnorth 4

Bridgnorth 3

Bridgnorth 2