Six Years, Three Books, and So Much More on the Way
Six years ago today, my debut novel Haven Wakes was published by the lovely people at Burning Chair Publishing. After teasing readers about the book launch for weeks, I spent the first day of October 2019 as gleeful and excited as a toddler in a sweet shop, or a ball pool, or… You get the gist. I was beyond delighted, beyond disbelief, and beyond my wildest dreams. I was officially a published author.
That moment began a journey into an ever-expanding world of magic and robots. I’ve learned so many lessons along the way, all the time supported by a wonderful community of readers and writers.
So today I’m celebrating that journey, the books, and everything that’s still to come.
The Haven Chronicles (so far)
To date, the Haven Chronicles is a trilogy made up of:
- Haven Wakes: Young Steve Haven discovers that magic exists in his robot-strewn world, when his late uncle leaves him a mysterious device.
- Magic Bound: Steve and his new friends face the consequences of what happened in Haven Wakes and are forced to run for their lives.
- Haven’s Deceit: Steve and co are on the move again. With both high tech and magical horizons to chase, Steve goes in search of his missing parents.
Each book has taught me something new, stretched my imagination, challenged my craft, and deepened my connection with readers. And the series isn’t over yet. Who knows what treasures books four and five will bring?
What six years has taught me
Seeing Haven Wakes published was like stepping through one of those mysterious doors in my books. I had no real idea what lay on the other side. Six years later, I’ve learned more than I ever expected.
The first thing I learned is that there’s a massive difference between writing for yourself and writing for market. When I started the Haven Chronicles, I wrote the story I wanted to tell. But once you’re published, it quickly becomes clear what readers expect, what sells, and what’s trending. Finding the balance between staying true to my creative vision and being mindful of my audience is an ever-present challenge.
I also had no clue how involved the editing process would be. There’s so much to cover, from restructuring entire plot threads, to working out character motivations, cutting scenes you love (but save for some other story), and rewriting that perfect chapter for the fifth time because it’s still not quite right. It’s exhausting, and humbling, and of course absolutely essential. Every book has made me a better editor, which means every book has also made me a better writer.
Something else I learned is that the bookish world is full of the most marvellous people. I’ve discovered a community of writers who understand the peculiar madness of talking to imaginary people and rearranging words for hours on end. I’ve connected with bloggers, reviewers, and readers who are genuinely passionate about my stories. The support and encouragement I’ve experienced has been one of the greatest surprises of this journey. You know who you are, and I’m endlessly grateful for your kindness.
My connection with readers has been particularly encouraging. Every message from someone who’s enjoyed Steve’s adventures, every review that shows a reader truly understood what I was trying to do, and every question about what happens next: all of these make my day. That connection has motivated me to keep writing even when the words are difficult to get down, I’m drowning in edits, or I’m convinced that everything I’ve written is terrible. Knowing there are people out there waiting for the next story makes all the difference.
Of course, it hasn’t all been magical. The bookish world is a tough industry. There are so many books out there, all competing for slices of the same audience and shouting for attention in a crowded marketplace. Trying to get reader eyes on my books often feels like flailing about in a sandstorm. While I enjoy marketing, there’s so much of it to do. And those pesky algorithms and trends seem to change every week.
But you know what? I keep writing anyway because the stories in my head demand to be told, readers are waiting for more tales from me, and creating something from nothing feels like an act of magic in itself.
Looking ahead
I’m six years into this author-malarkey and I’m not slowing down. Right now, I’m working on the first draft of book four of the Haven Chronicles. It promises more travel, more peril, and a return to familiar faces and places. It’s emotional, dramatic, and full of surprises. After that, I’ll be tackling the final instalment in the series.
While I’m sad to be reaching the end of Steve’s adventure, I won’t be leaving the world (worlds?) I’ve created in the Haven Chronicles. Instead, I’ll be revisiting them in other stories, like The Ways, The Dedleigh Circle Mysteries, and plenty of short stories.
Find out more in Am I doing too much?
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Thank you to everyone who’s been part of my writing journey. Whether you discovered Steve Haven back in 2019 or you’re just finding the series now, readers like you have made this possible. Here’s to the next six years and all the stories still waiting to be told. As Hartley Keg would say, ‘what marvellous stuff’.
