As I said in my last newsletter, it’s been a tough old time recently, so things have been quiet on the writing front. Really quiet in fact as it’s been hard to write. I was excited to go to the Scottish Association of Writers Conference which I thoroughly enjoyed. Meeting up with old friends, making new friends, attending workshops on the craft and generally immersing myself in the writing community is always a joy. The image above is myself and Julie Bissell, a fellow City Writers and Sisters in Crime member, manning the Sisters in Crime table at the conference. I love the Sisters in Crime organisation and chatting to people about it is always enjoyable.

What of my writing?

I will admit it has been tough for me writing wise over the past few months. Pain and limited movement in both arms has meant writing has had to take a back seat. Yes, I can use speech to text but that still involves editing as often words will go awry. Try adding in Scottish words and you will be able to see my quandary. However, I seem to be able to use my arms and shoulders more effectively now and I am back in fine fettle. Is it still sore? Yes, extremely. However, it is doable and I am so pleased to be back at my desk and writing. Talking of desks, I was writing on my laptop in a recliner to get over the pain when I reached the keyboard situation. That gave me backache. Seriously, you couldn’t make it up. My lovely physio advised me writing with a laptop on your lap is not a good idea. Who knew. So that clipped my wings a bit as well. But, I am delighted to report I am back at work and there will definitely be new books out this year.

Events

Despite my being slightly incapacitated I did manage to attend several events for Angus Libraries. Three of these were reading Bertie the Buffalo to children and one was to launch a new book group in Forfar. These were so much fun and it is always lovely to meet readers whatever their age. I was of course, sporting a rather fancy sling but the kids did not seem to mind.

Scriptoria 2026

For the writers amongst us I am delighted to be speaking at the Scriptoria Conference in Dundee. My workshop is on Wednesday 29th July and looks at - Beyond Genre: How Tropes Can Shape Both Fiction and Non-Fiction. There are several superb workshops and the conference is going to be a good one for writers.

Grow your writing at Scriptoria Workshop for Writers Moved by Faith (28 July-3 August). Get professional feedback on your writing--poetry, nonfiction, or fiction--with Newbery winner Gary Schmidt, Vinita Hampton Wright, and other faculty. Afternoon lectures follow morning workshops. In Dundee. For more information, see ScriptoriaWorkshop.

Literary Escape Festival, Perth, 9th May 2026

For my international readers that is Perth in Scotland, not Australia. Much as I would love it to be Australia, the Scottish version is just as exciting. Join authors and vendors to celebrate all things bookish and buy signed books for yourself and for gifts. I am confident DI Shona McKenzie book 9 will be out by then, so a great opportunity to grab the latest book in the series.

If previous events are anything to go by, this will be busy, so well worth booking up in advance, although you can also get entry on the day Literary Escape Festival, Perth.

I am sure you will agree that’s quite a lot of events for someone who is meant to be taking it easy. However, regular readers of this newsletter will know, I was never one to take it easy.

If you haven’t read all my books yet, they are all available in any good bookshop or online. Here is the link to my Amazon Author Page, if you would like to check them all out. They are also available on Kobo, Nook, Apple Books and all other digital platforms.

I’ll be back soon with all my latest news. Until then, as always, keep reading and keep writing.

Wendy

As you know, in the last three years I have definitely experienced life in spades. Anything that could go wrong did go wrong, but I am still here, still standing and still writing. Although the writing part has been a tad sporadic due to shoulder injuries and operations. In the last four months I have had two shoulder operations, one on each shoulder. I am currently;y recovering from a right shoulder replacement which I had four weeks ago. Pain and a sling meant typing was tricky. But, due to the wonders of modern medicine I am now sporting a brand new shoulder and, now my sling is off I am able to type again. Still with limited reach, and it’s painful, but I will get there. I have much to be grateful for and I am particularly grateful to NHS Scotland who have been incredible. I also realise all life is fodder for literature and, you never know, the trials and tribulations may make it into a book one day.

Killer’s Cairn

All these operations and recovery (my right shoulder is still painful) means Killer’s Cairn has been seriously delayed and I apologise for that. However, I can assure you it will be out soonest. I envisage April or May at the latest. The cover is good to go and is stunning.

For those of you who might be wondering what a cairn is, it is a man made heap of stones usually done a as landmark and usually at the top of a hill. What has that got to do with murder, I hear you ask? All will be revealed soon, I promise you. Just know it’s going to be be a cracking story.

What am I up to?

I have a few events coming up. The first is the Scottish Association of Writers Conference next weekend. I am very much looking forward to it as it is a chance to meet up with and hear from fellow authors. Friendship, networking and learning are a potent combination. Of course the bar will also feature as much conversation and hilarity takes place there.

The weekend of 26th-29th March will find me at Crafts of Scotland in the Wellgate Centre. If you are in the area, drop by for a chat and you can buy signed copies of my books for presents or for yourself.

The following weekend, on the 28th March, I will be at a multi-author and craft event in Bridge of Allan, Stirling. This is going to be a fabulous event and well worth coming to. You will meet many different authors of all genres and it is a chance to get signed copies of their books. I am very much looking forward to this and to meeting new readers.You can book tickets here. If previous festivals are anything to go by, this promises to be a fabulous event.

Other than this I am pretty much confined to barracks to coin a phrase from the military part of my life. I’m not allowed to drive so it is clipping my wings. I have done 4 events at Angus Alive Libraries, thanks to my lovely friends who have been taking me everywhere. Some of these were for wee Bertie the Buffalo and some were for my adult books. It was lovely to see so many readers, young and not so young coming together to celebrate books.

The kids, of course, got to do their own colouring and drawing and they did the wee escape artist proud. I was sporting a rather fetching sling at these as you will see in the photos.

That brings me to the end. For someone who’s meant to be recuperating it’s been a jam packed month. I’ll be back with another update soon as April is panning out to be a hectic month. Please let me know what you’ve been up to and what Killer title you would like to see after Killer’s Cairn. You can respond to this email or comment.

If you haven’t tried any of my books as yet, they are available on any online store, from any bookshop worldwide and signed copies from me by responding to this email.

Wendy

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Have you got a fun fact you can share with me? I’d love to hear it and you never know, it might end up in. book. Authors are always looking for inspiration. P.S. if you don’t want it to end up a book, just say and I pinky promise it won’t.

Welcome to the first newsletter from my new platform and also the first newsletter of the new year. Apologies for not sending this earlier but, yet again, I’m being admitted to hospital for an operation. This time I am having my left shoulder replaced. So, as you can imagine, it’s going to be a bit tricky to write - although dictation is a grand thing. I’m not very good with anaesthetics or painkillers, so there will probably be a couple of weeks lull.

What of Blood, Salt and Survival?

Firstly, I’ve landed on a title for my historical novel - Blood, Salt and Survival. That’s the working title at the moment but I’m thinking it’s rather catchy. We’ll have to see what my agent - Amy Collins of Talcott Notch - thinks. Thomas Graham, the main character in my novel, is a 19th Century Naval Surgeon, so I think it sums him up well.

I’ve been rereading his letters and diaries to get a real feel for him as a person. I’ve also been rereading my research and books around the area of interest including the fabulously titled Fiddlers and Whores: The Candid Memoir of a Surgeon in Nelson’s Fleet.

This is earlier than my time period but it still gives me a flavour of what life was like for sailors and, indeed, surgeons, historically in the Royal Navy. My time period is the 1840s but his uncle was Admiral Lord Nelson’s surgeon, so he would have grown up with tales of this time.

Mid 19th Century was an exciting time for the Royal Navy with the move from sail to steam. There was a great deal of innovation, with much to marvel at. Capturing this is crucial and my books should reflect this in a way which informs but does not overwhelm. It must blend into the story as a living, pulsing backdrop.

Am I writing? Absolutely. Like a demented demon to get as much done as possible before I go into hospital. I’m tempted to take my laptop and write right up until my operation time, but I’m not sure that’s the best idea. All it will do is weigh down my rucksack and post-op that’s not a good idea. Kindle it is then. That does not mean I cannot read books set in the Royal Navy of that time, and I will. If the anaesthetic and painkillers mean I can take them in, of course. I may be reading lightweight novels for a several days and that is a good thing. Reading is fabulous whatever it is, and I believe reading makes me a better writer.

What of DI Shona McKenzie?

Due to all these operations (my last one was only three months ago), the recovery from the last one and all the preoperative preparation for the next one, this has got delayed. However, it will be out by April. God willing and a fair wind, to keep to a nautical theme. Killer’s Cairn is going to be worth the wait.

I will keep you posted as to how the operation goes and update you on progress with all my books. Until then, I urge you to keep reading and, if you are a writer, keep writing. I would love to know what you are reading and writing, so please reply to my email or click the comment box.

Wendy

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It’s been a tough few months for this author (well, years actually, but that’s a long story). I was admitted to hospital and had an operation on my shoulder. I’ve been recuperating from that and now I am being admitted in less than 2 weeks for a shoulder replacement on my other shoulder. This just goes to prove things never run smoothly. Still, in the midst of it all, I am writing and publishing, even if things are a little delayed. How are things going for you? I would love to know.

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As you read this it will be Christmas Day. For those who celebrate, I hope you are having a fabulous Christmas period. For those who don’t celebrate, I hope you are enjoying a well earned break and are reading lots of books. I am certainly hoping my stocking is stuffed with books as I am taking two weeks off, with nothing but reading on my mind. Oh, and Call the Midwife on the television of course. That’s essential watching in the Jones household.

2026 Plans

When I return to writing on the 5th of January I will be busy getting Killer’s Cairn out as well as Cozy Crafty Crimes. These were both delayed due to a rather unexpected admission to hospital and a larger operation than first thought. This took me out of action for about 6 weeks. Believe you me, no one wants to bring a book out when high on painkillers. I am much recovered now but both launches will wait until January.

January will also see me working hard on my historical series and I am very much looking forward to getting stuck into that again. The new year will also see a new collaborative series, so watch this space.

You will notice the newsletter is going from a new host. This is so I can keep everything in one place and streamline my business. Nothing will change for you, it’s just a different delivery system.

As it’s Christmas I will finish by wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you have Amazon vouchers for Christmas, remember all my books are available as ebooks and paperbacks. Of course my books are also available from all bookshops, including Waterstones, if you have book tokens.

Whatever you are doing over the next couple of weeks, have the best time. You deserve it.

Wendy

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