Looking Back Over 2025
Where did 2025 go? How is it almost December? The local Christmas market is in full swing and I’m already juggling festive gift lists from the entire family. Before November comes to an end, I think it’s time to look back at all the good stuff 2025 has brought into my life.
Writing
Well, that’s an obvious one to start with, isn’t it? As an author, it’s been a productive year so far. The first draft of book four of the Haven Chronicles is rattling along at a pace. I’ve found writing this one more difficult than the past three novels because so much has changed for Steve. He isn’t the boy who discovered magic in Haven Wakes any more. He’s more serious, more confident, and more dangerous too. He’ll travel even further afield and this time round, the stakes are much much higher.
This year, I’ve also planned out book five. So once book four is submitted to Burning Chair in the new year, I can get straight on with writing the final instalment of the Haven Chronicles.
And that isn’t everything on the writing front either. Find out what else I’ve been working on in Am I Doing Too Much?
Blogging for Other People
For the first year in a while, I haven’t done much guest blogging. However, the British Fantasy Society were kind enough to publish my piece How a change of scenery can inspire you out of a writing slump.
Blogging for me
I put out a blog post at least once a month here on my website. Here are my favourite three from 2025:
- How Hartley Keg Found His Real Home
- The One Question Every Fantasy Reader Should Ask
- 5 Ways That Magic Bound’s Original Ending Would Have Changed Everything
Launching my Ko-fi Shop
Inspired by several author friends and wonderful indie bookshops like Tea Leaves and Reads, I made the decision to sell my books direct to readers. Not just the books though. These are book bundles containing signed copies with printed goodies and handmade bookmarks.
And instead of selling via my website, I’ve opened a shop over on Ko-fi. To date, there are four book bundles: Haven Wakes, Magic Bound, Haven’s Deceit, and a three book collection. Fingers crossed, I’ll be able to add book four to the shop next year, but I’ll also be listing some free bookish goodies.
Find my bookshop here: Fi Phillip’s Shop
Reading
I set myself a challenge at the beginning of the year to read at least 20 books in 2025. To date, I’ve managed 17, but there’s still time to get another three (or more) on the list. My favourite reads this year have been Milestones, Magic & Murder by Bella Colby and The Many-Coloured Land by Julian May. The book I’m reading right now – The Bone Roots by Gabriela Houston – will be my third favourite of 2025.
By the way, you can find all of my book reviews over on Instagram.
The Life of Fi
It’s been a quiet year in a lot of ways but I have managed to get away for a few breaks:
- York was a delight, including a visit to the Grand Opera House to see Murder on the Orient Express, time spent with friends, and a visit to the magical Shambles.
- Hafan y Mor provided a much needed break and plenty of coastal walking with the family and the pooch.
- It turned out that Mr Fi and I are still a little young for coach trips. But that didn’t stop us enjoying the sights in Devon, including a cream tea, fish and chips, and travelling on a steam train.
- A last minute decision to get away to celebrate our wedding anniversary took us to the wonderful Plas Dinas Country House Hotel. The evening meals were an experience in themselves (in a very good way) and we felt thoroughly looked after. Even the rainy weather and my injured shoulder couldn’t spoil our time there.
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So not a bad year at all. It’s been productive, spent with loved ones, and only seen a little illness. I can’t ask for much better than that.
