*** shameless request upfront: please review The Wolf of Wistman’s Wood on Amazon, Goodreads or wherever you buy your books. Reviews – plus recommendations to your friends and family – make a massive difference ***

A month on from publishing my first novel, people keep asking me: How’s it going?

It’s a question without a specific meaning. They’re aware that a first-time author is unlikely to storm the bestseller charts, so they don’t ask directly about sales.

Instead, the question means something like: (a) Have you sold enough that it wasn’t a total waste of time… or, if not (b) have you got whatever else you wanted out of the experience?

The answers are: (a) not really and (b) yes!

First, sales. I’m never sure whether to reveal the figures (so I won’t right now) but numbers have been steady – more than just friends and family, and still ticking along. I’ve been working hard to promote it via multiple means. The book got some lovely coverage in Dartmoor’s local newspaper, the Moorlander, and I also went on BBC Radio Devon to talk about it. The media coverage definitely helped.

However, I want to be honest with you, my dear newsletter subscribers. The truth is that sales so far haven’t even covered the costs of the book, let alone paid me for the enormous amount of time I spent writing it. So, for now at least, the whole thing could be viewed as a failure.

But.

I loved writing The Wolf of Wistman’s Wood (I hated editing it). I’m also really happy and satisfied that it’s finished – out in the world where anyone can find and hopefully enjoy it. It probably won’t become a bestseller, but I’ve bought a ticket in a thrilling lottery. What if someone famous leaves a positive review? What if sales suddenly surge? What if an agent, publisher or TV company gets in touch? What if, what if, what if…

It’s a lovely dream and – like the “what if we win the lottery?” conversation – it’s fun to explore, even if it never happens.

More importantly, publishing the novel feels like a big step in something I’m building – and chipping away at endless projects holds a deep appeal for me.  

Unexpectedly, sales of my book about local journalism – There’s Someone in Reception – have picked up since my novel came out. And I think that gives a glimpse of the path ahead: books, the podcast, this newsletter – all are creative threads that I can enjoy, and I hope readers and listeners will too. With more historical novels to come, the first one is merely the foundation – and I don’t know what the finished house will look like.

I see no shortcut, and I wouldn’t want to take one. I know from my experience in journalism that the early stages – full of fear and opportunity – turn out to be the best part. So, while I want to sell lots of copies of The Wolf of Wistman’s Wood, it’s just a step on a longer journey – one I’m determined to enjoy.

Comfort Fiction

I’ve only just finished The Will of the Many, which is excellent but vast (with tiny writing), so I’m running short of Comfort Fiction to recommend. Luckily, I spend far more time reading to my kids than to myself, so I have plenty of child-friendly recommendations.

Today’s dose of comfort comes from The Little White Owl, by Tracey Corderoy. The opening pages introduce the owl in a way that might encourage any creative person to keep going (regardless of commercial success): “Once there was a little white owl who lived by himself in the snow. He didn’t have a mummy or a daddy. He didn’t even have a name. But he didn’t really mind too much – and his head was full of happy stories.”

Dicing with Death

Dice Company is gaining popularity, with listener numbers increasing rapidly in recent weeks and months. Our long-running D&D adventure, Small Embers, is heading towards its (hopefully thrilling) conclusion, while our Mothership series – Darkstar – has attracted a devoted audience of its own.

This month, I’m the Game Master (GM) for only the second time, running our 2026 Halloween special (I also ran the 2025 one, and wrote about it here). Having recorded part one of two, I’ve been reminded how quickly the players rip up the GM’s preparation and run off in unexpected directions. For example, for the second year running, they refused to walk through the front door of the building I created. This time, I rapidly invented a basement for them to explore.

Meanwhile, we’ve been discussing reviews on the podcast recently. As with my books, I’m keen for honest reviews – although of course I’d prefer any criticism to be constructive! Tom’s take is a bit blunter. I joked that Dice Company would be happy with a three-star review, to which he replied: “If you want to give three, don’t… Just walk away.”

Thanks for reading.

Alex