I’m now a full-time author…

After eighteen years as a meter reader (gas and electric) for Accuread, G4S, and Morrison Data Services, I decided it was time to give it up and put all of my efforts into writing. This was an extremely hard decision because, surprising as it might seem, reading meters was an enjoyable job, at least for the first fifteen years or so and then, as all jobs do, it felt like things were getting worse and I wasn’t looking forward to it anymore. It’s a situation probably most of you have been in, and it’s always hard to give something up after so long, especially when it provides a steady wage, but the time seemed right.

I first published Wolf’s Head nine years ago, in 2013, and, ever since, my books have continued to sell steadily so I thought I should take this opportunity to live the dream, as it were, and become a full-time writer. I’ll be able to, hopefully, publish more books and concentrate more on marketing and trying to actually “grow my brand”.

I’ll miss meeting colourful characters, driving around Glasgow and the towns and villages that surround it. Not everywhere was beautiful, but many places were (all the photos here were taken by me when I was at work over the years). I always looked forward to reading meters in the likes of Milngavie, Balloch, Strathblane, and, of course, Bearsden. That’s where I was working the day in 2009 when I decided I wanted to try and write a historical novel but I had no idea what, or who, it should be about. The very next electric meter I went to read was in a house named, guess what? “Sherwood”! Well, I just had to write about Robin Hood after that sign from the gods, and it certainly worked out well for me.

So, hopefully this is the start of a very exciting and rewarding new chapter in my life. If you enjoy my books it should mean you get more of them than ever before! Book 5 in my Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles has a title and is half finished so look out for that being published this summer. And after that, well, I’m planning on branching out into a brand new series, and a new historical era, although the Druid novels will continue too. Like I say, this should be an exciting time and I hope you’ll all stick with me to see where my writing will go next!

Thank you to every one of you who has bought, read, and reviewed my books – none of this would be possible without your support and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

Now, I might have quit my job, but the hard work never ends.

Onwards…