When the Nightmare Becomes a Dream: 10 in the Top 100!

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you wake up, brew a coffee, and check the charts to find that your world—the one filled with shadows, survival, and the relentless undead—has truly resonated with readers.

This morning, I was floored to see ten of my books sitting in the British Horror Top 100 simultaneously. From the latest chapters of the Unsafe series to the long-running journey of Safe Haven, seeing so much of my work represented at once is a milestone I won't soon forget.

Unsafe: Book 7 recently hit an incredible peak at #2. For any author, that’s a win, but for me, it was particularly special because of who held the #1 spot: James Herbert.

Growing up as a fan of horror, James Herbert was a titan. His work, especially The Rats, redefined the genre with its grit and "short, sharp shock" pacing. If you’re going to be held off the top spot, there is no greater honour than doing so for a legend who helped shape your own love for the macabre. Herbert’s influence on the genre is undeniable, and his work continues to set the gold standard for British Horror.

But beyond the rankings and the household names, this post is really about you.

To every reader who has taken a chance on Unsafe or Safe Haven, to everyone who has left a review, shared a post, or recommended my books to a friend—thank you. Writing is often a solitary journey through the dark, but moments like this remind me that I’m never truly alone in the wasteland. Your support is the engine that keeps these stories moving, and seeing ten books on that leaderboard is a testament to the incredible community we’ve built together.

We’ve still got plenty of miles left in this apocalypse. Thank you for walking them with me.

A Quick Update on the New Safe Haven Project

Hey everyone,

I wanted to give you all a little update on what’s been happening behind the scenes lately. I’ve been working incredibly hard on the new Safe Haven standalone, and the progress has been exhilarating.

I’ll admit, I can’t give too much away just yet, because that would ruin the surprise, and we certainly can’t have that! As I’ve hinted before, this project covers ground I’ve never navigated in this series, and I’m genuinely excited about it. The creative flow is hitting a great stride; I’ve been writing 5,000 words a day, and the story is just pouring out of me. It’s a fantastic feeling when everything clicks into place this well.

Regarding the look and feel of the project, I’ll be talking covers soon. I have a very precise vision of what I want it to look like, and I can’t wait to bring that to life. I’ve also settled on the title, but again, that’s another secret I have to keep—it would give far too much away if I told you now!

What I can share is that you can expect some brand-new characters alongside a few names you already know well. It’s set in the Safe Haven universe, but it can be read entirely separate from it. You won’t need to have knowledge of the other books to jump in, as it is a completely self-contained story. It’s a fresh entry point while still honouring the world we’ve built together.

I am so grateful for all the support you’ve shown me as I work through this draft. Your patience and enthusiasm mean the world, and it really fuels these long writing sessions. I’m currently deep in the trenches of the narrative, but everything is moving along perfectly.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to post a further update for you all soon. Stay tuned—I promise it will be worth the wait!

Keeping the Connection Alive: Introducing Signed Bookplates!

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about the state of the world. With prices rising and budgets feeling the squeeze, I know that many of the "extra" pleasures—like ordering signed physical books—are becoming harder to justify.

These are challenging times, and I know that the rising costs of shipping and international postage are affecting everyone. I see you, and I truly appreciate every bit of support you’ve shown me, regardless of the circumstances. Because I want to make sure that getting a signed piece of my work remains accessible to everyone who wants one, I’ve decided to launch something special.

The Solution: A Personal Touch, Without the Heavy Price Tag

I am thrilled to announce that I’ve had a limited run of professionally printed, personally signed bookplates created!

I didn’t want shipping costs to be a barrier between you and a signed copy of my work. With these bookplates, you get the same personal connection, but at a fraction of the price of mailing a paperback.

What exactly are they?

These are premium, adhesive stickers that I will personally sign. You can peel and stick them into the front of any book you've purchased (from Amazon or your local bookstore), add them to your laptop, jazz up your planner, or stick them wherever you like!

Why You’ll Love Them:

• Affordability: I’m keeping the cost of the plates themselves low, and because they are lightweight, shipping is incredibly cheap.
• Versatility: You aren't limited to just one specific book. You can bring a bit of "signed" flair to your entire collection.
• The Personal Touch: Every single one is signed by yours truly, making them a unique keepsake.

Stay tuned to the website—I’ll be dropping the link to purchase these very soon. I can’t wait to see where you decide to place them!

Big Updates and Better Deals: Why Your Bookshelf Needs a Refresh

Big things are on the horizon here, and we are absolutely thrilled to share the journey with you! Over the next few weeks, our website is going to be transforming with some fantastic new updates designed to make your browsing and reading experience even better. But while we gear up for those future reveals, we couldn’t wait to share a little something special that is already live.

Introducing Our New 3-Book Collections

We know how much you love a good binge-read, and there is nothing quite like having a complete series ready to go at your fingertips. To help you dive deeper into these worlds, we have officially launched discounted 3-book collections in our online store! Whether you are a long-time fan looking to complete your paperback library or a new reader ready to jump into a gripping saga, these bundles are the perfect way to grab a bargain.

We’ve curated these collections to suit every shade of horror and suspense lover. Here is what you can look forward to exploring right now:

• The Post-Apocalyptic Thrills: If you crave high-stakes survival, our Safe Haven, The End of Everything, and Unsafe collection is calling your name. Prepare for heart-pounding zombie horror that doesn't let up.
• Dystopian Disaster: Dive into the gritty, intense atmosphere of The Burning Tree. This is a must-read for anyone who loves stories where the world hangs by a thread and every decision counts.
• Survival Horror: For those who like their chills visceral and unrelenting, grab our bundle featuring Relentless. It’s a fast-paced journey that will keep you turning pages well past your bedtime.
• Eclectic Chills: If you prefer your horror with a distinct, atmospheric twist, check out our Scares in Scotland series. It’s a haunting journey through some of the most unsettling tales from the north.

There has never been a better time to stock up your shelves. These collections are designed to provide hours of immersive storytelling at a fantastic price point. Head over to the online store today to browse these bundles and start your next great adventure. We can’t wait to hear what you think of them—and remember, stay tuned! There is so much more coming your way very soon.

The End of the World as We Know It: My Essential Reading List

I get asked a lot about my favourite post-apocalyptic books and it’s really tough to choose because there are so many great ones out there and, in truth, I change my mind a lot. Swan Song is probably my favourite book of all time. I loved every page and McCammon is one of the most gifted writers I’ve ever come across. I’ve read a lot of his work and he’s a top-notch wordsmith. Beyond Swan Song, the books tend to jostle for position on a regular basis.

There is something compelling about the post-apocalyptic genre. It isn’t just about the destruction or the chaos; it’s about stripping away the veneer of modern convenience to see what remains of the human spirit. When society falls, we are left with the raw truth of who we are: our selfishness, our capacity for violence, but also our immense potential for resilience and compassion. These stories force us to ask the uncomfortable question: "What would I do if everything ended tomorrow?"

Here are the books that I find myself returning to time and time again:

• Swan Song by Robert McCammon: An epic, gritty, and deeply emotional battle between the forces of good and evil set across a nuclear-scarred American landscape.
• The Stand by Stephen King: An unstoppable super-flu pandemic wipes out most of humanity, forcing the surviving pockets of people to choose sides between two powerful, mystical figures.
• Earth Abides by George R. Stewart: A beautifully written, meditative classic that follows a man trying to preserve the knowledge of humanity after a plague wipes out the global population.
• Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven: A terrifying and remarkably realistic depiction of societal collapse and the struggle for survival after a massive comet strikes the Earth.
• I Am Legend by Richard Matheson: The quintessential vampire apocalypse story, focusing on the haunting psychological isolation of the last human man left on Earth.
• Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank: A grounded and hopeful account of a small Florida town working together to maintain order and rebuild in the aftermath of a nuclear exchange.
• Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham: A unique premise where a meteor shower leaves most of humanity blind, making them vulnerable to mobile, predatory, stinging plants.
• The Death of Grass by John Christopher: A chillingly plausible look at what happens when a virus destroys the world’s crops, leading to famine and the rapid breakdown of law and order.
• The Postman by David Brin: An evocative story about the power of symbols, hope, and the human need for connection in a ruined, fragmented world.
• Down to a Sunless Sea by David Graham: A high-stakes thriller where a passenger jet is trapped in the air during an unexpected global nuclear conflict, forcing the crew to find a place to land.