Time to round 2024 off with an end-of-year newsletter and progress report.

I feel like I say it every year. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster year where writing is concerned. One that did not go to plan at all, as you’ll appreciate from the following post. But I want to assure you all that, at the time of writing this blog, I am back on the proverbial horse. Whether temporary or a bit longer-lasting, I can’t say. Let’s just manifest positive vibes and hope it comes to something!

Silhouettes

For those who need a reminder or who are visiting us for the first time, Silhouettes is my first-ever short story and poetry collection. A project I decided to push up the schedule while other projects took a lot longer to come to fruition (see below). Since I checked in in November, I have sent the draft of Silhouettes to three beta readers, with a mind to get their feedback in January.

In the meantime, it’s typical but I can’t stop thinking of other short stories that I’d like to add to it! I won’t add to it, but I will continue to write short pieces. In fact, just this evening, I finished the first draft of a new crime piece I hope to enter into contests in 2025!

Anyway, I’ve been planning and strategising like a mad person for the next few months of Silhouettes‘ gestation. I hope (hope being the operative word) that I can release this anthology in Summer 2025. As always, I’ll let you know more once I know — in this case, it’s all dependant on what the feedback is (and whether it arrives on time!)

You Can Hear Chopin from the Attic

As most of you know, You Can Hear Chopin from the Attic (or just Chopin for short) is my third full-length novel. A historical piece concerning the staff at a hotel in Berlin during World War II. And a notorious labour of love where my work is concerned. When 2024 began, I had it in mind to have this story re-drafted, edited several times and sent out to beta readers by now. Alas, my mental health has done a serious number on me this year, and I am not much further on from when I was when I finished the book this time last year!

But, we move forward, and I have every intention of resuming the edits on Chopin in the new year. I have a clearer image of what I want it to look like and, more importantly, what it was about the story that was getting me down!

If you’re interested in reading my existing work, find out more information on my Books page.

The Dale Hurst Writing Show

I have been very touched by how many people have told me not to cancel my podcast, The Dale Hurst Writing Show. That was the plan I settled on — that next year’s season would be its last. However, there have been one or two developments that have led me to reconsider. Nothing is set in stone at this point — I am still weighing up the pros and cons. But it could be that next year’s season is not the final season… maybe just the final season for a while.

This year, the podcast grew in more ways than one, not least because I got to take it to Bournemouth Writing Festival in the spring. We’re now about to finish Season 4 with our usual Christmas Reunion special come season finale. This time around, I was glad to invite screenwriter Ryan Avery, marketer Dan Buckley from Ocean View Marketing, and composer Jordan Pace, as well as newcomer, film producer Mariia Brega to the show. Don’t forget to subscribe if you want to keep up to date with the latest episodes. Find the 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.

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.