Yep, I've been busy. From being made redundant in May to turning in two drafted novels within a fortnight of each other in September PLUS a copy edit of another entire book, interspersed with a heatwave that was frankly rude, it's been a mad gallop through 2022. That said, all being well I should have … Continue reading What a Spring, Summer and start of Autumn that was…
Category: Novels
Scholar. Sorceress. Killer. Priest. Four people divided by their secrets and lies, bound together by horror, must unite their strengths to unpick a diabolical mystery to which they have but one incomprehensible clue – a single word: Mhurghast.
You think I'd be used to it by now, being three books in for HarperVoyager and multiple short stories (and longer fiction) for anthologies and Black Library. And you'd be wrong. You can't get used to editing, because every book's different - well, duh - but also because you're different as a writer each time … Continue reading New series, same editing process
Things what I learnt in the last year about myself, publishing, writing and maybe even life. Plus other things what bear repeating. I started a Patreon. I don't believe my patrons actually read it - I think they're just supporting me because they're nice people. First instance of imposter syndrome. Finishing a trilogy is terrifying … Continue reading 2019 in review (writing stuff)
I'm over the moon to say that Bloodchild has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. Getting one of those stars is a sign an author has done a good job, so naturally I couldn't be happier that Bloodchild gets one to match the one worn by her sister, Darksoul. The review reads as follows: … Continue reading Publishers’ Weekly gives Bloodchild a starred review!
What can I say? The day has arrived and my debut trilogy is now published. Cue the Frodo Baggins in Mount Doom "it's done, it's over" speech. Three books, when just seeing one in print had been my goal and dream for all of my adult life and probably longer. 400,000 words published, give or … Continue reading The end of the beginning
I'm absolutely over the moon by the below review from the Fantasy Hive about Bloodchild, the third book in my Godblind trilogy. It seems that all the points I was trying to hit were, indeed, hit - either that or the reviewer in question, Mike, can somehow see into my brain. I wouldn't actually put … Continue reading BLOODCHILD by Anna Stephens (Book Review) | The Fantasy Hive
If you're looking to discover great fiction by people of colour, you could do worse than check out this awesome list by Stewart Hotston. via The alternative (to you) writers list
This is just a very short post to let you know that Godblind has reached another milestone in its evolution. Yesterday, a fabulous Serbian artist by the name of Dejan Delic sent me a tweet attaching the image he'd created from the Godblind universe. I absolutely love it, and you can check out more of … Continue reading Godblind gets fan art!
Phew! That has been an INTENSE six weeks, but the first major draft is now done and with agent and editor. A lot of plot and structural changes happened, the big reveal at the end became a big reveal at the start, with a DIFFERENT big reveal at the end, and in general it is a … Continue reading Darksoul edits are done! (for now)