Edinburgh in 1653

The origin story begins

I am itching to begin writing the new series: The Witches of Scotland: 1653.

Concept art for the upcoming 1653 trilogy.

I published book 6 of The Edinburgh Files in January, but haven’t written anything since.

This one takes us back to Anna Gilmour. Some of you will remember her from The Edinburgh Files Book 2, when Jessica travelled back in time and inhabited Anna’s body. But this time, the story belongs to Anna herself.

Edinburgh in 1653. The smell of waste flowing through the streets, words written by candlelight, suspicion, and the threat of death from men purporting to be doing God’s work in finding witches.

But, Magick is never far from Anna’s mind, and she uses and experiments with it in order to avoid capture.

I haven’t started drafting yet.

And that’s deliberate.

I want to give this series the focus it deserves.

Ireland and TV Pitch decks

Right now, I’m preparing a talk for the March authors’ conference in Ireland. Sharon is coming with me, which makes it even better. It will be a few days immersed in storytelling and creativity, which always ends up feeding the books in ways I don’t expect.

Ireland, where I’ll be speaking in March.

At the same time, I’m finishing a TV pitch deck with my screenplay co-writer, JJ Moon. We’re developing the first Witches of Scotland series for television and want to speak with studios in the UK and the USA.

Nothing is guaranteed. It’s a long process. But we are moving through the steps.

And I won’t lie. The thought of seeing these witches on screen is exciting.

I’ve also started a new weekly newsletter called Indie Author Secrets, where I share what I’ve learned about writing and publishing with other authors.

But, just so you know.

The stories are still my priority.

1653 is not a side project. It is the origin. The beginning of the bloodline. The foundation beneath everything.

When I sit down to write Anna’s story, I want to be fully there. No rush. No distraction. Just the city, the shadows, and a young woman who has no idea what she is about to awaken.

When I begin, you’ll be the first to know.

More Witches of Scotland Romance adventures

And as many of you have asked, the women from The Witches of Scotland Romance Series will return with another instalment later this year.

But first, we go back.

Back to a narrow close in Edinburgh.

To ink-stained fingers and whispered Magick.

To a girl watching the men who hunt her kind, never suspecting history will remember her name.

Anna does not yet know she is the beginning.