This February marks 21 years since the publication of my first book, 'Love Stories of the Undead'. Though I’d been writing stories since a very early age, I only started in with any real consistency and success when I turned 18 – and this book was a collection of much of what I achieved in that first year. It’s hard for me to look back on it now without cringing in embarrassment at one or two points, but I can also see plenty to be proud of, and foreshadowing of some of my better work to come. The book has been out-of-print for many years now, and second-hand copies appear for sale at outlandish prices (usually well over £100), but every so often a bargain will surface. Much has changed in the years since (myself included), but my love for horror fiction endures. So happy birthday to my first book. I hope it brought some pleasure to the people who bought it at the time, and may continue to do the same to anyone who dusts off a copy in future.

Happy new year everyone! 2019 was a great year for me, and I'm looking forward to many more adventures in the coming months.

But after the chaos and confusion of the festive season, I know you'd like something to look forward to. After the success of ‘Midsummer Macabre’ back in July, I’m pleased to announce two further events coming in 2020. There’ll be another big summer event, but more news on that nearer the time.

First up, on Saturday February 1st, is ‘Winter Tales’, an atmospheric day of traditional ghostly storytelling, with book sales and signings, convivial company and conversation. One of my aims with these events is to bring back the art and enjoyment of live readings, and for winter I'm doing things a little differently; having chose less readers and allowed them more time. It should be a great atmosphere - I only wish we were doing it in a book-lined library with port and cigars!

My glamorous assistants for that day will be Benjamin Langley and Paul Huggins. Food and drink is readily available at the venue, and entry is free – so mark it down in your calendar and come along and join us. Just what you need after the post-Christmas/January slump.