Developing Wings on the Way Down

New things, old things, nice photos of landscapes

Hello there,

“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.”

― Kurt Vonnegut, If This Isn't Nice, What Is?: Advice for the Young

I hope you’re keeping well as we head into the weekend. Once again, I seem to have lots to share, and as Kurt Vonnegut suggests, some of it relates to a new thing I’m trying. I’ve started writing some long form content which you might enjoy and posting it onto our substack - more on that below.

Spring has finally arrived in our corner of Devon, and I love this time of year. The hedgerows are fairly bustling with birds building nests, and I would prefer it if they would all stick to the freely available trees and bushes. But some starlings seem to have made a nest in a couple of holes in the wall just under our roof. I presume the starlings made the holes, which is an unwarranted act of vandalism in my opinion, but there they will have to stay. Next year, I’ll keep them out by getting some enterprising person to climb a ladder and fix the holes before the nesting season.

Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure I made the same vow last year.

Before I go on, a big thank you to paying members, and also to the couple of kind people who are still sending regular mugs of tea via ko-fi. I was going to wind that page up and concentrate on substack only, but someone recently asked about sending mugs of tea via ko-fi and it feels right to offer a choice, so here’s a link:

ko-fi.com/mikeyc

Also, thank you to everyone who has bought A Shamefaced Murder direct from my store or preordered it from a retailer. This might well become the most pre-ordered book I’ve ever released, and that’s very encouraging. If you’re interested in being among the first to read this new book, there are links below.

But first, some photos…

Featured Photos

Three ways to enjoy the photos: a collage in the email, separate images in the substack app, an interactive gallery in the online post.

The Teign Valley area

Just up the lane from our home we come to a hill that gives a view over the Teign Valley, home to the fictional village of Embervale. The lovely white house belongs to a friend, and I can't help thinking it looks like it belongs on the cover of a Devonshire Mystery. I wonder if they would mind…

More photos soon. Until then, happy reading.

A New Thing - In No Particular Order

I’ve started a new section on the VIP Readers Club substack, especially for long form content, and I’ve called it In No Particular Order. No book news, no quote, no general chat, just an essay-length piece and one or two photos where appropriate. I hope to vary these each time, so some pieces might be humorous or reflective while others may be loosely described as memoir.

Here’s a link to the first one:

I will probably send In No Particular Order out on alternate weeks, so you won't feel bombarded, but please feel free to choose which content you receive. I wrote a brief post explaining how to do this, and it’s called Getting Around. It’s here:

Getting Around

ICYMI - A Shamefaced Book is Here

The ebook and paperback can be pre-ordered. The ebook on all the main retailers, the paperback on Amazon, or you can buy either from my own store (more on that below).

Preorder the book here:

Signing Off

I hit a rocky patch with the rewrite of A Study in Stone, mainly, I think, because the original story didn't quite mesh with the new version. In the end I had to remember the phrase ‘kill your darlings‘ and by cutting out some chunks that weren’t working, I was able to go forwards. The book is now progressing well, so it shouldn’t be long before it’s ready.

So, lots to do, lots to experiment with, and I’m particularly looking forward to offering some longer pieces. They won’t be stories as such, but they’ll be varied and might raise a smile or a chuckle or maybe even a tear. Who knows? It’s all part of developing my wings on the way down.

Let’s hope I can make the new pieces fly.

If you have questions, there’s a ‘Leave a Comment‘ button below, and that’s a great way to get in touch.

All the best.

Happy reading and take care,

Mikey