There's always something nerve-wracking about a book coming out. You write it because you want as many people to read and enjoy it BUT there's also the worry that people are going to read it! Luckily the first few reviews for UNTIL THE LAST have been very positive.

Scott said "Mike's storytelling is up there with the best in the business, his ability to subtly thread in twist and turns that you just don’t see coming but have you jumping from your seat was utterly brilliant! The final 30% of this book was just such a sensational thrill ride, I had such a hard time putting this book down. Mike have managed to build such a bloody, grim but marvellous story in this series, which I think will appeal to a wide range of audience. Mike has definitely become an auto buy author for me."

Benedict from the SFF Oasis said "Mike has written a gritty and exciting story about what normal people do when evil beats them down. His words flow smoothly like a freshly made death bed and his characters leap off the page wielding an axe in both hands. It's in my opinion that his writing quality is top level and he should be regarded with the likes of Gwynne and Abercrombie for writing compelling characters in a gritty world. To roundup, I really enjoyed this book and I love this trilogy. Fantastic characters, a gritty plot and lightning fast pace make this a series you really need to absorb. Brilliant fantasy."

A Netgalley reviewer said "What an ending to this amazing fantasy series. I won't tell you what happened. But you really do not want to miss this ending."

I'm also looking at giveaways for the launch. The plan is to print a limited edition set of signed postcards that I'll send to the Broken Binding. I've done the character art for three of them so far.

Ralasis, Aasgod and Raaku will finish off the set. Stay tuned for more info as and when I have it.

Keep safe.

I still can't believe people are reading UNTIL THE LAST and the first review is in! "What an ending to this amazing fantasy series. I won't tell you what happened. But you really do not want to miss this!" Phew!

So UNTIL THE LAST is nearly ready. I read all 770 pages and found 63 mistakes/typos etc. No doubt there were 64 and I missed one. This is actually my least favourite part of the process as my brain rebels against this sort of work. I also get carried away with reading the story and have to go back and double check I didn't miss anything. I also always print out the book as I've spent so long staring at it onscreen, I need a different experience to see it with somewhat fresh eyes.

But now, there's just the cover to come and then ... it'll be on sale. Eeeek.

Finally, I get to send signed books out to wonderful people. Here are just some of the doodles I sneak into the books.

Here we go! The last stage of book 3. Checking the page proofs for typos. This is the part I like least but it must be done. And this is a big book. 770 pages of all out action, heart-break and drama. Next time  I see it, it will be in a book!

I got my edits on book 3 of The Last War trilogy back from Gollancz this week. My editor opened his email with "Boy oh boy! Does this one pack a punch. Brutal and epic from start to finish — I loved it. (This must've been very stressful to write!)"

I can't tell you how relieved I was to read that. Often, the doubts can really get to you as a writer _ especially when you're caught up in your own world so much of the time. I spent two months while he was reading the book worrying that it was rubbish and I needed to drastically overhaul it.

Obviously, I have things to look at but it's all minor character stuff, tweaking the emotions to really make things have impact when other things happens. Then it's off to copyedits in October and by the end of the it'll all be done.

I've already started planning the next book. It's a new world, new characters. So lots to think about. It's going to be very different in many ways to WE ARE THE DEAD — not least because it's going to have a real hero from start to finish. And, of course, lots of swords and magic

Book 3 of The Last War trilogy is with my editor. UNTIL THE LAST is a massive book — some 230,000 words or thereabouts, and was the hardest thing I've ever written. I'm blaming the pandemic for most of that and the way it upended life in every way but a lot also came from the complexities of the book and such a large cast of characters. We have (I think) 4 new point of view characters in this one too...

Also, A FOOL'S HOPE is out now in paperback where ever you buy your books. I'm super proud of this one and happy it's been so well received.

I've started planning what's next. It's a new character and a new world so plenty of thinking needs to be done before the writing... and, of course, edits on book 3 will be back soon

I've been doing quite a few video chats recently and this is a favourite. Stephen Aryan is a brilliant fantasy author ( he wrote the Battle Mage trilogy and his new book, The Coward, is out soon).

This is the new home of everything to do with my books. I'll try to update it as often as I can (but sometimes I think I'm the only one who reads it!) I'm insanely busy at the moment, finishing off the Last War trilogy for Gollancz. The final book, UNTIL THE LAST, is out in April 2022. At the moment, I'm about two weeks away from finishing it and I think it will be about 220k words long. A lot of those will be cut during the editing phase though.

It was also GollanczFest this weekend but, because of the pandemic, it was all virtual. I recorded a reading that turned out to be a lot harder than I thought it would be. It took me about 20 takes to get one perfect clip! Hopefully next time we can all be together in person!

I also recently did an interview with Petrick of Petrick Reads on his youtube channel. That was a lot of fun.