It’s my birthday today, but also it is the anniversary of the first release of The Crows, which came out 6 years ago today. That illustrated edition was self-published, and it made me £200 in its first year.
I am so proud of my book. It got cold-pitched by a commissioning editor for Canelo’s new horror imprint, and now both The Crows and Thirteenth are published with a company that is itself now part of a Big 5 name.
It now has a new birthday in May, when it will have been republished with Canelo for 2 years.
My dream has always been to go from self-published to trad, and it happened. I always wanted to see my books in Portal Bookshop in York, and I did (they sent me a photo on IG). I always wanted to see my work in Waterstones and someone sent me photos of them there too.
I honestly don’t have any more “author goals” like that anymore, as I have ticked them off with this book and its sequel.
The fans of this book, and the word of mouth spread in the early days, and the zine reviews, are the only reason it got where it is. Thank you so much for everything, and I’m glad my books resonated that powerfully with people.
The best author gift is knowing what you have written has made a difference to someone, and I am so sorry to know some of you have gone through a lot of shit and connected with my characters and writing that way, but also just really humbled and glad that you found something that resonated positively in there for you. I started out writing as catharsis for myself, so I really hate that others share and connect with that kind of pain, but I really hope we can all move forwards stronger.
I am really looking forward to 2026, and I am still writing, and I hope that there will be more stories to share this year too.
Very best to you all,
CMR
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