I am assigned one day per year in which my hair looks effortlessly perfect. It's never a day when I have a job interview but invariably falls on a day when I have nothing to do but sit around at home like a troll in its lair.

This week, something truly momentous happened. I inherited a legacy from my grandmother who passed away this year, which has been used to pay off my mortgage in full. I am now that all too rare thing for someone in my generation: a homeowner. Thankyou, Grandma, with all my heart.

Yesterday I received a royalty cheque from my American agent. It wasn't much (VERY few authors make any real money from their work) but it was a reminder of the fact that it's now been 16 years since The Dark Griffin was first published and the series is still in print. And that is no small thing!

It's so lovely when the late Spring weather turns balmy and warm and you're assigned your own personal fly who goes everywhere with you. 🪰

Every year I light a candle in memorial to the victims of 9-11 and this year is no exception. It makes me feel old knowing I was there to see the towers fall that day. After that day, nothing was ever the same.

Saw the new Superman movie recently. It was awesome! Finally a Superman movie I actually wholeheartedly enjoyed. And James Gunn was right; it's absolutely the Superman we need right now, more than ever. Kindness is strength. Cruelty and hate is weak.

Facebook has been hitting me with targeted ads for courses promising to help me "Finish That Novel In Just Six Weeks!" Which is pretty pathetic considering that a) I've finished more novels than I can count and b) This is also happening to freaking WENDY ORR. I know because she told me. 🙄

For the record, I'm aro ace so pride matters to me on a personal level other than supporting my queer friends. On a related note, J.K.Rowling can fuck all the way off. "Happy fake day of oppression"? Bitch, I've been bullied and sexually harassed since I was 14 because I "didn't fancy a shag".

Today I went to my local mall and was charmed to see a big display of pride flags. First time that's ever happened. This is what I voted for, among other things. At least I know my country hasn't gone completely insane and evil. Dutton wanted to be Trump 2.0 and we told him to fuck off.

Submitted a manuscript to a publisher and was required to answer a question in the form as to whether it was "written" using AI, or edited using the same. I now know this was just vetting to weed out AI slop, but I would rather eat my own intestines than EVER "create" ANYTHING using AI. #FuckAI

I won't name it because spoilers bad, but for the first time *ever* I have watched a horror movie where after the monster is dealt with the cops show up, take one look at the corpses lying all over the place, and immediately arrest the survivors for murder.

I've really been neglecting this account. I know, bad me. Recently submitted another book to the publisher, so hopefully stay tuned for an announcement on that. This one is - significant pause - not speculative fiction. Nope. Real world, present day, no magic.

The number of years you live matters far less than the legacy you leave behind when those years are over.
This thought brought to you by "I am now 39 years old and my back already hurts for no reason"

I just signed a contract for my new fantasy trilogy! It's a dark but hopeful story which deals with themes of the consequences of unchecked power, and the often overlooked ways in which kindness and compassion can be the saving of us even in the face of seemingly inescapable tyranny and disaster.

I haven't been using this account much but Happy New Year! My sci fi book is getting fantastic reviews - and it's on special! blackcockiepress.com.au/shop/#!/City...

Writing tip for the day: Give your hero a name that sounds cool when the villain angrily hisses it!
(I'm joking. Probably).