Hello all! Only me, checking in again with another writing update after another 2 months away from the blogging. Happy New Year!

So, it’s now 2020 (I’m still amazed at how that happened, I have no idea where the last 4 years have gone), and since my last progress update I’ve written another 22,500 words, bringing the current word count of In His Darkened Halls up to 222,500(ish).

As stated in my previous update, I’m writing the final handful of chapters for the book. Once these are done, I’ll begin the process of redrafting with a view to release at some point this year.

Also, since said update, I have also received completed cover art from my commissioned artist (the enormously talented Jason Nguyen) and it… is… fucking… immense. I’m beyond excited to share it, but this will be nearer the time of release, when I have completed typography on the cover and I’m ready to begin pre-orders.

2020 Plans

So, as I (finally) wrap up In His Darkened Halls this year, I intend to return to my much neglected series of novellas – Tales of the Blackshield Dogs. I will be intending on getting a couple of novellas done this year if possible, the first of which will be The Wretched Ones, a book I’ve been talking about for years now – I’m sorry to anyone who’s been waiting on it and more stories of the Blackshield Dogs. It is coming, I promise you that, and more besides. Tales of the Blackshield Dogs is a series I am personally very fond of, and one that I have some pretty big (or at least interesting) plans for over the next few years.

I will also, naturally, be beginning work on Book 3 of the Weaving Shadows Trilogy later this year once In His Darkened Halls is done and dusted. I have already settled on a name and theme for this book, and have got the early chapters for one character loosely formed in my head.

I will also be aiming to put out a short story around Christmas time this year, if possible, of a few thousand words.

So, that’s it for now! As always, I’ll sign off with the customary writing theme of the day. This time, the crushing doom-epic Beneath Broken Earth by Paradise Lost, a song whose lyrics convey the tone of In His Darkened Halls ending pretty well, I think:

‘Before us, the King,

As lifeless hearts sink.

Before us lay dreams,

A light no one sees.

Hail to nothingness.

You wish to die.’