A moment of reflection

I thought I might indulge in a little reflection.

I'm sure there are some writers out there who, irrespective of their experience of writing (or of Holmes), sit down confident in their ability to produce a Sherlock Holmes story.

I'm not one of those people. I must have tried a dozen times over the last ten years to write a single Sherlock Holmes short story. I failed again and again. I could always come up with a good opening scene but then I would run out of steam.

But something clicked in January 2022. I managed to put together a story for Dear Holmes and, not only was it liked, it was purchased and ran later that year.

I credit the confidence boost that gave me for helping me to not only create The Further Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes but also to be bold enough to openly declare that I intended it to be the first of many. As I sit here now, it is mere months before volume two will be available.

Like a large number of writers, I get acute imposter syndrome. It was a great surprise to me when my book not only sold respectably but enjoyed positive ratings/reviews from the public and the likes of Publishers Weekly.

I know the bar is set higher for volume two than it was for volume one. If you are reckless enough to attempt a Sherlock Holmes pastiche you already know that you will be held to a high standard (or many high standards as everyone has their own bar). But I feel the pressure that comes from following a book that has done quite well.

For anyone who might describe themselves as a fan; this new volume is longer, contains eight stories, and larger illustrations from the same fantastic lady who illustrated volume one. It is hoped (but not yet confirmed) that the same narrator will record this volume as did volume one.

Also, you can rest assured that work on volume three begins soon.