SEPT 2023

This summer was a busy time, and I still feel like I haven't had a chance to slow down. Balancing the shifts and tides of our family life with writing another book has proven to be just as challenging as running my coaching business. But I've been having a blast bringing the characters of my first middle-grade children's book to life, even if the story is taking longer than I expected to get on the page.

As a reminder, I'm working on this book with the intention of inspiring my son, and others who enjoy gaming but aren't enthusiastic about reading, to pick up a book on their own. (You can read more about the back story here.) The story (in fact the whole series) takes place partly in Minecraft, and my inner editor’s been complaining that it doesn’t qualify as a ‘real’ book. Of course, there are loads of books set in video game worlds, including some published by Mojang, the creators of Minecraft. I’ve even read some of them with my son, and he was certainly more engaged than I’ve seen him without other books.

So I’m casting doubt aside and pushing on with my passion project. After all, I’m 40k words in and touching distance from the end - it would be crazy to stop now. (Heck, even if no one reads it I’m gaining so much knowledge about writing fiction that it’s been an amazing learning experience.)

I’m planning to get the first draft finished this week month, fill in the gaps I’ve left along the way and then gather feedback from some beta readers. Then I’ll edit and redraft with a view to hopefully getting it out into the world before Christmas. Fingers crossed!

(Incidentally, if you have an 8 - 12-year-old who loves Minecraft, and who’d like the chance to read a new novel in return for answering some simple questions about their experience of the story, please do get in touch!).

I’ll need a title and book cover soon. I’m planning to work with my beta readers on the title and a cover designer for the book cover. In the meantime, I've been having a ton of fun experimenting with Midjourney to help me visualise some of the characters and scenes. Want to meet my main character?

This is Tom Green. Tom is 11 years old, he’s the smallest boy at St Fortis School and he’s in fear of his life. Well, not exactly his life, but his school life, where he’s the constant target of the school bully. Tom escapes reality by losing himself in his favourite video game - Minecraft - with his little sister Alice. But one day he discovers that Alice has become lost inside Minecraft... for real! When his 'safe space' isn't safe anymore, can Tom learn to dig deep and use his skills, courage and inner strength to overcome both the game's monsters and his own inner demons so he can rescue her?

More soon friends!

Let’s Stay In Touch

Be the first to hear about my new children's book series set in Minecraft, including new book releases, bonus chapters, beta reader opportunities, special offers and more.

(Don't worry, you can unsubscribe at any time.)