Today is the paperback release of THE STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS, woo hoo! Tell your friends, family, and foes about it. And also I offer some thoughts on the book and its time out in the wild so far at Ye Olde Bloggery Hut:

Survived carnival. But I do have a bruised big toe thanks to *someone's* clumsy dancing. Today there's yet another storm front moving in, so we're not moving far from the couch.

House Valenziaga is well and truly DOOMED! Because thanks to you amazing people the book SMASHED through its funding goal in just over *2 hours*! Honestly, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means so much! 💙 Keep spreading the word, keep pledging…there are REVEALS coming… bit.ly/TFotHoV

It's your chance to support our very own Trip Galey's brand-new queer AF post-apocalyptic science-fantasy novel set in a world full of drag balls, weird science, magic, and...GASP!...Polari!! We can't wait to see how this turns out.🧐

The time is NOW. Valenziaga will fall. Category is: Science-Fantasy EXTRAVAGANZA! Think Drag Race meets a gay Game of Thrones meets Chronicles of Amber. High drama and high CAMP! Spread the word! RT, tell your friends, shout it from the rooftops! BACK THE BOOK TODAY! #booksky bit.ly/3OIVfNs

The *best* thing about tonight is the fella touched me gently on the back, leaned in and said, "I'm proud of you." That's him. That's my guy.

Status report:

Gorgeous day out, so I went for a poke around El Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno (Guzman the Good) or the "Last Castle in Europe". Impressive. 🏰💙

Writing spot this morning. Now lunch.

Well done, Britain. Keep it up. "Hound toadface into the sea." Lord Archibald Cockwhipper, 1943 🏳️‍🌈

Post a pic you took, no context, to bring some zen to the feed.

💙🌊

Fuck the current oppression of trans folks in the US and UK. It's beyond shameful. It's a crime against humanity and these arseholes should face the consequences for it. You just feel so helpless.

Hey folks -- Signal Boost time for this week's #TheFullLid. If you have a human-made creative project to promote, leave the details in a reply. Include the title and a link please, so folks can find it. For pre-launch crowdfunders let us know about 2 weeks in advance.

Current read. Haven't read it since school as it happens.

FINALLY

It's the start of carnival here today (delayed due to storms). Obviously I'm wearing my big feathery headdress and sparkly bra, but I'm still getting the writing done. My 1K words this morning. 🎉

Primavera vampírica on the way. 🦇 #PrimaveraVampírica

Mensis Februarius: "Month of the Februa", the Roman festival of purgation and purification, cognate with "fever", the Etruscan death god Februus ("Purifier"). Ah. It makes sense now.

What's a line of delivery you'll never forget?

Never give up! I mean it. I wrote the book 5 years ago and it's been through several iterations since while I kept trying to place it. I can barely absorb the fact that it's going to be a thing! But I also know it wouldn't be the thing it is without that journey. Nothing wasted. Keep writing. 📚💙🏳️‍🌈

I wasn't expecting my book news to coincide with the worst bout of illness I've had in a decade, but THANK YOU everyone who's read my stories over the years, kept me going and made me feel like I belong. 📚💙🏳️‍🌈🙌🏻

Finally feeling better. Lost a week worth's of writing to that damnable bug. But I have read a lot and deepened my ken of certain themes. Let the kingdom dispense with the veils of mourning!

80% into my Kindle read, I smiled to acknowledge how much I was enjoying it. The next page turn was the end(!), then 20% of index, acknowledgements and ads. HMPH!

In which I natter on about Kickstarting fantasy books, some of the things I have learned doing precisely that, and some of the things I’ve learned to avoid as well, lol… britishfantasysociety.org/5-tips-for-k...

Every day this illness brings new joys and wonders. This morning I've finally stopped shivering and sneezing, but now I have debilitating fatigue. Sulking in bed with books. Hmph!

2026 is the year of the horse. The horse: (I am so sorry.)

If you’ve ever wondered what Formula One with less gravity and more romance would look like, Meredith Lanzen’s debut FORMULA ZERO is for you. Out in July from @berkleypub.bsky.social, but you can get your hands on a copy via their Goodreads giveaway, running until March 20th.

Written about 100 words today. Yay! Can I stop being ill now, please?

Still under the weather. Last night I was running a fever, but today I'm just bluergh. I'm never falling into an icy river in the dark again.

Caught a chill the other night. Spent much of the day bundled up in bed with the heating on, which is fun. Theory: Still a bit too cold for beach camping.

Here's the book deal announcement in full. Many thanks to @helenlane.bsky.social of @kiagency.bsky.social and TJ of @zandoprojects.bsky.social It's an honour to work with both and I can't wait to share these novels with you all! 📚💙🏳️‍🌈 #EvilTwin

A bumper FOUR books announced for our brilliant authors @apthayer.bsky.social and @jamesbennett.bsky.social, launching Evil Twin, Zando’s new horror imprint. Huge congratulations! ✨

We're having some evening drinks tonight. I will die looking at these pink clouds (but hopefully not tonight).

(Please Repost 💙) THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF VALENZIAGA is launching soon, and I’m looking for people to help me spread the word on Day 1 (03/03/26) Just a quote post will do! And you’ll get access to secret KS merch & a thank you gift 💙 Drop your deets in the form if interested! bit.ly/46T2Jn2

Wuthering Heights (1939) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wuthering Heights (1992) ⭐⭐ Wuthering Heights (2011) ⭐⭐⭐ Watched all these in the past week. Never seen previously. For reasons.

"Wuthering" means "a strong wind" in antiquated English. I know that. I want you to know that I know.

If you like gay knights and want to support actual gay voices (and a leading dyslexia campaign)... I got you. "A joyous romp of a thing that will no doubt annoy all the right people. A most excellent additon to Arthurian legend." James Oswald www.booksonthehill.co.uk/product/the-...

Much of writing historical fiction consists of stopping and going, "Wait. Did they have [insert random item here] back then?" It's giving

Good day of writing today. Been a bit slow going of late, but I love it when you get a eureka moment and everything clicks. Writing mystery is hard.

Last light.

Positively clement out there today. Put my big coat away. We do love the short Spanish winter.

This is a week that should have an announcement in it. I hate to vaguesky, but *mysterious swishing sound and magical hand waving*

50K words into the WIP. Having a rest day.

Buenos días. 🌞 #CoastOfLight

El Cautivo (The Captive) is a well-made, quiet film about the young Cervantes imprisoned in Algiers with a surprising amount of gayness. [Spanish with English subtitles]

Spain looking more like Spain today. 🇪🇸💙

Finally had enough breathing space to write this post!! Also please order my books lol lol

Chapter finished! Not an easy one tbh, but that's the writing for the week done. It's sunny for a change and we are heading to a beachfront lunch. Let the kingdom exalt and capriole! 🎊

The storm has passed. The wind got so wild last night, I put my Loop earbuds in. Brighter days ahead, they're saying. Yes, please. ⛈️