364 days ago

I released my first novel

Author’s note: I am technically on a one-month writing/substack hiatus so I don’t get burnout but I’ve come out of my cave (the walls are made of laundry, and just like when I try to go to the toilet with my toddler in the house, there seems to be no door) to remind people who said they’d review it that it’s been a year to let you know that it has been 364 days since I released Oceanus!

This science fiction story was inspired by The Tempest, and although I’d be surprised if anyone associated me with sci fi (I hardly write it), I do love a classic sci fi: the type of story that asks the ‘what if?’ questions. It’s a character-driven tale of revenge, betrayal and redemption.

Thank you for being here with me, whether you signed up yesterday, a month ago, or a year ago! I really appreciate the support.

Here’s a little throwback to the release day and the weekend of the release.

Thanks to

Hyun Woo Kim

Ian Barr

Gabriel O. Maestas

Clifford Stumme

Nicole Paton

and

Keith Long

(to name but a few) for hyping this novel up on Substack, and to the many others who grabbed a copy, left reviews and told their friends. The book is currently available on Kindle Unlimited as well as Amazon and all the other online book retailers.

Now for the fun part: Questions nobody asked about this book, but I will answer anyway.

So go on, how many copies of it did you sell in your first year?

A whopping 268 of Oceanus so far. This number actually amazed a friend who said, “Wow! What? People buy books from people they’ve never heard of?” I can confirm that I do not personally know 268 people. This is amazing.

I enjoyed Oceanus. Will there be any more science fiction novels?

Yes. There are already a few pages of notes dedicated to a story inspired by Macbeth. This one is going to have to sit and wait patiently because Muldoon is hogging the limelight at the moment and I strongly believe in giving the readers what they want. Not only does it make business sense but it saves me from being paralysed by indecision thanks to my swollen pile of WIPs and napkin ideas.

Do I need to have read The Tempest to be able to appreciate Oceanus?

No. I can think of three people off the top of my head who said in their reviews for Oceanus that prior knowledge of The Tempest wasn’t necessary—they hadn’t read the play before the novel and enjoyed it nonetheless. It really is its own story, as you’ll find out.

I don’t really read sci-fi. Will I enjoy it?

I would say that as the story is character-driven, the genre isn’t really the be-all-and-end-all. If you like my fiction, I don’t see why you wouldn’t like this 200 page book I wrote in my usual style. Because it was my debut, a lot of people who knew me from other walks of life stepped out of their usual genre comfort zones to read it, and all have enjoyed it.

Does the dog die?

There is no dog in this book, so you’re really going to enjoy it if that is always your number one concern when choosing what to read or watch.

Does the cat die?

He does not.

I don’t know anything about space and all that stuff. Will I understand it or will it bore me senseless?

You and me both, friend. Hard sci-fi hurts my brain. I know enough for it to be believable and I’m fine with that being my limit. The story is more about the human issues of our time and how they might still be with us in the future.

Does everyone love this book or are you just lying to get more sales?

I did not pay a soul to read this book. I didn’t even do ARC readers for this one. Okay, I did a goodreads giveaway which certainly did not earn me 100 reviews (won’t be doing that again). Two people didn’t like it, but that’s good going according to Goodreads. More people will come along and not like it, but that’s oddly reassuring. I’d hate to have been lied to.

So there you have it! Happy one year anniversary to Oceanus! I’m proud of it, and I will continue to be proud of it.

Seriously though—if you have read this book, please leave a review or a rating. Just a one liner is fine. I know we feel the pressure to write 5 paragraphs highlighting particular scenes and themes but we’re all busy and honestly, just do what you can. I appreciate it. Thank you for supporting independent authors like me!

Schedule going forward: September 2025

• Sunday 7th September: The Ring continues with chapter 31-32

• Sunday 14th September: The Ring continues with chapter 33-34.

• Friday 19th September: I will return with a piece of microfiction and an announcement for October/Spooktober.

• Sunday 21st September: The Ring continues with chapter 35-36

• Friday 26th September: Fresh, new short fiction from me.

• Sunday 28th September: The Ring serial concludes with chapters 37 and 38.