Let me begin with some news directly following last month’s report… the first draft of my collection Silhouettes is finished!

Yes, last month was one of our more productive for actual writing, with the final three short stories and one last poem completed. Typically, now that I’ve drawn a line under them, brand-new ideas have started emerging for further shorts and poetry! One inspired by my most recent trip to London to attend the launch party for In the Shadows of Love, by my author pal Awais Khan. I won’t ruin the potential surprise by telling you any more about that…

To go into detail:

Silhouettes

As mentioned before, this is my first-ever collection (or anthology). A collation of the pieces I’ve written for competitions and social content, with varying degrees of success. Many of them are recent and never-before-seen stories and poems, with titles including Last Train to London, Of Monocles and Maltesers, and O to be Bubbleless. Others, the more committed readers/followers might be familiar with. I’m including the real fan favourites such as Sunday on the Boulevard (with my pet lobster) and My To-Do List. There may even be a call-back to my writing origins dealing with French vampires.

I’m reading the book through at the moment, with a mind to send out to a couple of beta readers before the end of 2024. All being well, Silhouettes should be ready for publication by next year. Depending on how the editing process goes, of course…

You Can Hear Chopin from the Attic

I haven’t mentioned by third novel, You Can Hear Chopin from the Attic for what seems like ages. A few followers have continually asked me when it will be finished or available. Now, with Silhouettes taking priority, it’s highly likely that Chopin won’t see the light of day until 2026, at the rate we’re going. Once the collection is published, work can resume with a clearer head — there was a lot of self-doubt and second- and third-guessing the story and the writing style. I think I now know what I need to do to get everything back on track. How to iron out the creases and smooth out the kinks. Chopin is on the back burner for now, but rest assured it won’t be there for too long!

The Dale Hurst Writing Show

And now for a less happy note…

My friends, the time has come to draw the curtain on my podcast, The Dale Hurst Writing Show. Don’t get me wrong… I love talking about writing with other writers and creatives. But it has come to a point where I actually give more effort to podcasting than writing. So it is with some regret that I announce that Season 5 of the show will be its last. There are some last interviews I’d like to conduct, some final topics to discuss, and then hopefully a fun finale to finish on. Another conversation for next year…

If you haven’t had a listen yet, you can find The Dale Hurst Writing Show on Spotify.

Want to keep up to date with my latest news and content? Like my Facebook page and follow me on Instagram to see the exclusives.

I’m using this monthly progress report to dish a bit more about something I’ve planned for 2025 release — briefly mentioned in last month’s report.

In the summer, I decided that the redrafting of my third novel, You Can Hear Chopin from the Attic, was taking too long to make releasing it next year feasible. But let’s face it… it’s about time I changed the record about The Berylford Scandals, the second instalment of which I published five years ago next year! I still have no plans to return to that series (yet). However, there is something else that I’ve turned my attention to instead.

While Chopin is on the back burner, with work to resume next year, I’m now finishing the last couple of pieces for MY FIRST ANTHOLOGY.

A collection that, at present, I call SILHOUETTES.

Silhouettes will comprise most of the short stories and poems written over the past few years. I’ve released some of them over social media, either in part or in full. Others, however, are yet to see the light of day. They’ll include tales of a bad-tempered publishing agent, a petty criminal with a sweet tooth, an ambitious magpie, daylight snobbery, and several really wicked old people. Plus, fan favourites such as My To-Do List and Sunday on the Boulevard (with my Pet Lobster).

I’ll reveal more in the coming months!

The Dale Hurst Writing Show

You came for a progress report, after all. Alongside the work on Silhouettes, my writing podcast The Dale Hurst Writing Show continues. Over the last month, we released episodes about fresh spins on science fiction, featuring author D.C. Eastman, and how to independently publish poetry with Karishma Natu and Ben Whittall.

With Halloween on its way, I’ll put out my latest horror-themed episode, featuring a successful film director and screenwriter. And in another edition, I find out more about the decisions that go into mapping fantasy realms.

You can catch up with the entire series on Spotify.

Want to keep up to date with my latest news and content? Like my Facebook page and follow me on Instagram to see the exclusives.