In a grand feat of Sci-Fi trickery I will be at Worldcon in LA while not at Worldcon in LA (ie, Virtual Worldcon). I’m doing a workshop, a table talk, a reading and a couple of panels, which I am REALLY excited about. Here’s where you can find me.

Welcome to Starling Island,
and The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary…

Every lost soul can find a home on Starling Island…

When apothecary Portia Starling clashes with the Academy, she knows exactly how it will end. With her family’s notorious reputation, someone has to take the blame ­– and it’s going to be her. So, reluctantly, she retreats to Starling Island – a place she hasn’t considered home in years – to await news of her future.

Noah Turner has always dreamed of travelling north to study the great dragons of Elanholm. However, as a vet with no magic, funding his research feels impossible. But when an opportunity arises to help at Iris Starling’s dragon sanctuary, he can’t afford to turn it down. If he can prove himself there, he might finally reach his dream.

Portia and Noah immediately dislike one another. Noah assumes Portia is an entitled Academy poser, collecting dragons as a trend, while Portia finds him bossy and overbearing. But with the lives of the poor, sickly rescue dragons on the line, can they see past their differences?

The first in a page-turning new fantasy series, full of heart, humour and healing. Perfect for fans of A. T. Qereshi, T J Klune and Sarah Beth Durst.

Releases 14th September 2026 from Boldwood Books. Pre-order now

I’m thrilled beyond words to be nominated for the European Science Fiction Society (ESFS) 2026 Hall of Fame Awards as Best Author. Can’t quite get my head around it.

The awards are announced in July at Eurocon so fingers and toes crossed.

Which might make typing difficult. A conundrum.

In other news I have a new book coming out later this year as Jessica Thorne with Boldwood – The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary – a cozy fantasy set on a magical island with a family who care for tiny rescue dragons of the teacup variety. I can’t wait to share Starling Island with you all.

And the final part of Feral Gods is imminent – The God of Bronze releases in November.

The Book of Gold is out now and available in all your favourite bookshops!

We had the most amazing night at the Gutter Bookshop last night. Sam Blake hosted the book launch and we had cake – book cake for a book heist – and some Typis Cornellis stickers up for grabs.

Thanks to everyone who made it – my agent Sallyanne, my family and friends, and especially these three – CE Murphy, Sarah Rees Brennan, and Susan Connolly – without whom the book simply wouldn’t have happened and have been a support and sanity check for so long. And in related content, thanks to the ever amazing emotional support husband, always my hero.

For publication day I also wrote about the inspirations and research for The Book of Gold in Writing.ie.

Glasgow 2024 Worldcon is fast approaching (NEXT WEEK!) and the schedules can now be shared. So this is where I can be found and what I will be up to.

So please come and say hello (especially at the signing because I think I’ll be sitting there – I’m not sure there’s going to have books there to be signed, but hey, I can sign anything).

The full programme (and what a programme!) can be found here.

Really looking forward it all.

Hope to see you there!

So excited to finally be able to share the cover of A Touch of ShadowsA Touch of Shadows (Book 1 of The Lost Queen), the first in a new trilogy called The Lost Queen by my alter ego, Jessica Thorne.

It’s available for pre-order now

At last I can share details of the super top secret project I’ve been working on. I’m so excited to be part of the team bringing the worlds of Tomorrowland to life.

Lots more news still to come.

Tomorrowland announces Limited Edition festival novel for 2023

For the first time ever, Tomorrowland is releasing the complete origin story of its new festival theme with a fantasy adventure novel. THE RISE OF ADSCENDO is the key to unlock a festival experience for 2023 that has never been encountered before.

In 2023, the People of Tomorrow can discover the complete origin story of the new fantasy theme Adscendo, before being immersed into the narrative at the festival grounds. Unlike previous years where the People of Tomorrow could discover themes such as Reflection of Love or The Story of Planaxis through the legendary mainstage and a trailer, this year Tomorrowland is revealing the story to the theme Adscendo in novel form.

Attendees will have the chance to recognise elements and imagery from the book at the festival, creating a unique connection never experienced before. Fantasy fans around the world will have the opportunity to delve into the rich world of Tomorrowland and explore the diverse and magical tale within the book, regardless of attendance.

Readers will discover a story of love, unity, and magic within the enchanting Tomorrowland universe:

The islands of Arcadiana are sinking, and the Soaring Isles, suspended in the air like floating mountains far out of reach, will soon fall, destroying the whole city – if the water doesn’t swallow them first.

As a Windrider, all Ro has ever wanted to do is to fly like the other members of her family. Thanks to her love of all the birds of her world, she has an idea on how to improve the day-to-day life of her crumbling society. But while out testing her new flying contraption, danger strikes and she finds herself rescued by the most noble and most rare of all the birds. The Golden Auric.

Up in the clouds, she will make a discovery that will set her on a path to salvation. But unbeknownst to her, there are forces at play that wish to see a different future, one in which four of the Guilds that make up her homeland will perish. It is a fight for survival, and Ro will need all the help she can get if she is to save her home, and maybe, create the ultimate paradise…

Pre-order now to ensure a first edition copy of this Limited-Edition hardback with festival artwork and sprayed edges. Each copy of this 300+ page book is numbered, creating a truly bespoke collector’s item.

Publishing in Spring 2023, the Limited Edition THE RISE OF ADSCENDO will be available in English and Dutch. Pre-orders for this exclusive release are open from 20th December 2022 and can be made via adscendo.tomorrowland.com and store.tomorrowland.com. Shipping follows in June 2023. Publishing partner for the Dutch version, available via the Tomorrowland channels, is Standaard Uitgeverij.

THE RISE OF ADSCENDO offers a sneak peek into the Tomorrowland fictional universe which is currently in development by diverse talent with the support of an international editorial team. The Tomorrowland stories deliver inspiring tales set in new magical worlds for adult readers to enjoy.

‘THE RISE OF ADSCENDO’

• Available for pre-order as of today, Tuesday December 20
• Via tomorrowland.com and store.tomorrowland.com
• Available in English and Dutch

About Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland, first held in 2005, is one of the largest and most iconic music festivals in the world, located in Boom, Belgium. Organized and owned by the original founders, the brothers Beers. It takes place every summer and stretches over 2 weekends, welcoming 400,000 People of Tomorrow from around the world. Year after year, Tomorrowland sells out in minutes. Over the past 17 years, Tomorrowland has become a true global phenomenon that connects people from every corner of the world. Tomorrowland has evolved into a global entertainment brand and media powerhouse thanks to its numerous activities such as new festivals like Tomorrowland Winter in the French Alps, the apparel & accessories label TML by Tomorrowland, the radio station One World Radio, the Tomorrowland Foundation, the Tomorrowland Academy (DJ & producer school), the record label Tomorrowland Music and Tomorrowland Fiction. The latter being a companywide priority to spread Tomorrowland’s unique stories full of magic and passion to a global audience.

About Standaard Uitgeverij

Standaard Uitgeverij is an independent publishing company. Its various publishing houses (o.a. Standaard Uitgeverij Strips, Manteau, Davidsfonds, Ballon, Oogappel) and other activities (Art Stories) make up the largest Flemish publishing group.

I’m so excited to share the cover for my new book The Water Witch. Set in Brittany, this tale of magic, adventure and romance is one I’ve wanted to write for a very long time. As many of you will know Brittany is a place very dear to my heart and it’s wonderful legends have always fascinated me, especially the legend of the lost city of Ys. I’ve visited the area so many times and hope I’ve captured some of the beauty and wonder I find anew here every time

The Water Witch will be out on the 5th August 2022, perfect summer reading. It’s going to be in print and on Kindle. You can pre-order it here.

Sitting side by side on the clifftop, he turns to her solemnly and says, ‘The water witch is real.’ She rolls her eyes and grins, teasing him. ‘Sure. A psycho mermaid. Got it.’ But now he’s gone forever… will she find the truth beneath the waves?

Brittany, France. Ariadne Walker’s fiancé Simon drowned in the stormy Atlantic Ocean doing what he loved: searching for the lost underwater city of Ys. Local legend says it was destroyed centuries ago when the princess of Ys became a water witch, cursing the name of the man who betrayed her.

Ari never believed these tall tales. And the letter Simon sent before he died finishing their relationship is a devastating secret she’ll take to the grave. But arriving in Brittany, Ari encounters a man emerging from the sea in a rocky cove, saltwater dripping from his dark hair. Rafael swears the legends are true: and his ancestor was cursed by the water witch. Now, his own life is in terrible danger. And the secret to breaking the curse lies hidden in the lost city.

When Ari finds a strange engraved mask on the sea bed, and a cryptic map amongst Simon’s things, she has no choice but to believe Rafael’s plea. Can they follow the trail and save Rafael’s life? Poring over the map by candlelight, the flickering flames only add to the heat between them… but will Ari’s fragile heart soon be shattered all over again? And will they ever find Ys and break the curse – or will the water witch demand another sacrifice?

An absolutely addictive romantic fantasy read filled with passion and mystery, that will sweep you away to the wild coast of northern France. Inspired by real myths and legends from this magical place, The Water Witch is perfect for fans of Luanne G. Smith, River of Shadows and Jennifer L. Armentrout.