Malta is essentially a city-state. Yet, where we are is exceptionally quiet. The flora is a cross between tropical Mediterranean and pure desert. Palm trees sway above hedge-walls of cacti. The most common animals we see are snails, lizards, cats, and roosters. The hilly land is riven with terraced ravines, laced by crumbling stone walls. Each morning is silent, save for many roosters and the clip-clopping of our neighbor's horse/buggy, which always leaves at promptly 7am Malta time (see note below). It is only a fifteen minute walk to be amid a Manhattan-feeling bustling city filled with tourists. And the sea is often visible in the distance, crowded with ships. Yet here, on the hill above the town, all is very calm.

​(Note: 7 am Malta time means it could be 6:30am, 7:45am, 8 pm, or never. The concept of "time" is quite abstract here, as is particularly evident in the busses, which exist in a separate reality and bear no connection at all to the bus app that supposedly lists their times)

I began blogging 14 years ago, during my time at Oxford. It was originally a travel blog. Oxford was when my writing journey began. My travels were sources of great inspiration. 

Now, I am a full time writer and my parenting book releases in Jan.
And now, travel resumes, as my family and I are moving to Malta next month.

Above, my son and I, when we visited Malta for the first time, securing a rental and getting a taste for the wonderful culture. This will be the beginning of our worldschooling journey. I can see the Mediterranean from my roof, and I'll be taking those views and inspiration to heart as I write. In fact, I'll be living 20 minutes from Mdina, the Silent City, which is a medieval fortress and a major filming location for Game of Thrones. Talk about fantasy inspiration! 

This shift is part of a move towards hope, which is a bedrock of my family.

Today, one of my writing friends shared this Instagram post about "Ominous Optimism" I found the video hilarious. But it was also a reminder of one of the core principles in Making it Up. The idea of Radical Optimism and the Anchor Technique. 

If you're feeling despondent or stressed, it's a technique of self-focus on positivity. And while I gave the below TEDx talk last year, it's perhaps even more relevant today, with all the craziness in the world. If you haven't seen it yet, or even if you have, take a moment and watch, and embrace optimism. I'm posting the video below. 

On to Malta, to excitement and inspiration, and continued radical optimism. 

The Making it Up COVER is here. And that image, by Cory Reid, is a great sample of the amazing ARTWORK you'll find of his throughout the book. The book isn't just a game-changing method, it's also a parenting book unlike any other, complete with original artwork, easy-to-follow techniques and workpages, and tons of practical tips. The COURSE is in development now, launching in April! And the book releases fully Jan 6, 2026. 

We're launching the cover today because today (Feb 5) is also GLOBAL SCHOOL PLAY DAY. The idea behind this international event is to encourage free play for young kids. Many schools worldwide, including my daughters, will devote the day to creative, screen-less, imaginative play all day. Unstructured imaginative play is one of the strongest ways kids learn. And guess what? It's ALSO the KEY to the Making it Up Method! That's right, if you're a teacher or parent and want to learn more about how days like this can transform the way you connect with kids, be sure to sign up for updates and follow for news! 

Happy New Year!

2025 is going to be an exciting year for me. I had a meeting with my publicist at Familius today, and MAKING IT UP releases in exactly a year. It is going to be amazing. Stay tuned for cover reveal and other updates.

This is also a period of joy for me. I am currently reading my newest MG novel manuscript to my son at nights. Sharing stories with him has always been a joy. 

In fact, two years ago today, I took the picture above. I went to his school and read two picture book manuscripts to 100 first graders. As i paused, they drew suggested illustrations. Publishing may be a marathon, but there are joys to be found. This moment, seeing kids create drawings for my stories, remains a highlight of my journey so far.

And there are many joys to come.

Last night, a massive hurricane plowed into Florida. Two weeks ago, a separate hurricane devastated southern Appalachia, an area thought "safe" from climate disasters. People have died. Homes have been destroyed, and the full extent of the damage remains to be seen. Climate change isn't some nebulous warning from the sidelines. It's here, and it's frightening.

Meanwhile, the Middle East reels from escalating violence, a war continues in Ukraine. An election in the USA approaches between two sides with such divergent views that reconciliation seems impossible. Meanwhile, many chief policy experts warn that the specter of World War Three, or all out nuclear devastation, is far closer than people realize.

Fun, right?

Closer to home, my son's school has determined that lockdown drills aren't enough. As gun violence in America continues to spiral unchecked, and school shootings are both a daily fear and an unfortunate truth, his school has decided to move to the ALICE method, which is the type of drill where kids are trained to fight back, encouraged to throw books at armed assailants. These drills include acting out shootings, often with air rifles, actual police, and role players being shot and/or shooting. My son suffers from anxiety and was telling me how unsafe he feels at school. He was "glad" he knew to threw books at a gunman. Yet, my heart broke as he described the situation. I am raising children in a country that I don't honestly believe will ever curb gun violence, and actively trains children to "defend themselves" in such a way. This is pretty dystopian, when you think about it. 

From politics to weather, apocalypse to guns, the world is out of control. I can't control any of it. I can barely tread water, just managing to keep my head aloft.

So, I write.

Thirteen years ago this week my writing career began. Thirteen years ago, I climbed onto a cliff in the dark and watched the sunrise over Tintagel. Since that dawn, I've written 10 picture books and 10 novels and one nonfiction book. I've had good moments and bad in my publishing journey, and I honestly don't feel like I've broken in yet. Publishing-wise, I've barely started. Yet, I have no control over publishing. It's yet another storm of chaos and confusion. 

So, I write.

Unlike publishing, writing is a form of control. I can't control what readers or agents or editors think. I can't control what my son's school teaches him, or what's happening in the Middle East, or who will win the election (though I definitely vote). In the broadest sense of the words, I can't control much.

So, I write.

As I was reading the news about Hurricane Milton, I realized that writing has always been a form of control for me. I'm not sure I ever fully realized it before. I am a "plotter". When I have a book idea, I spend time thinking about what will happen. I outline each chapter, each character arc, each element of worldbuilding. I control everything. In the worlds I create, I am God. 

I recently presented a TEDx talk about the Anchor technique, an important emotional recall skill that's a key component in the Making it Up Method. Yet, I hadn't thought about how writing is an Anchor in itself. A form of control. A form of calm in the chaos. 

I know what my characters will do. They don't always listen in those pesky drafts, and choices definitely alter along the way, but they still follow my will in the end. I control their speech, their movements, their internal dreams, and their very world. I control every word upon the page. I control the narrative. 

I control EVERYTHING.

The world is chaotic.
So, I write.

And now I realize, I shall always write. 
Because the chaos remains.
So, I write.   

Today, in the USA, the Moon shall devour the Sun. The world will be plunged in darkness. It is a time of power, unity, and transformation. So too, my career has transformed in radical ways.

After 3 and half years with my former agent, I decided to part ways. I have now signed with the amazing Ramona Pina, of BookEnds Literary. Ramona is a fantasy focused agent and I'm excited to see how my projects do on submission. Next up is The Woman with Glass Fingers, a Gaiman-esque low literary fantasy. I am very hopeful as this exciting new chapter begins. 

Yet that's not the biggest news. 

My parenting book MAKING IT UP will release in Fall 2025 through Familius and Abrams. This is a parenting book unlike any other out there. It's not a psychology book, memoir, or behavior-centered book (if you've read parenting books, all are one of those three). Instead, it's a workbook centered around actionable waysto make playtime more fun. Whether you're a parent, parent-to-be, caregiver, or teacher, the book will help you bond with your kids in a way you never have before. Even if it's been great, it's about to be better.

In fact, now is the perfect time to mention MAKING IT UP is especially geared towards fans of Bluey. With excitement building over the upcoming special episode, fans of Bluey are encouraged to sign up to my newsletter now. This book teaches you how to parent the way the Heelers do. In fact, I've discussed the book at length with LUDO, and it was under consideration as a Bluey product for many months. This is not a specific Bluey product, but it's perfect for fans of the show. The secrets in this book are revolutionary, and the book is also super fun to read. Like an eclipse, this is something you won't want to miss. 

My career emerges into the light, in a stunning, exciting new chapter. Yet, this is is only the beginning of more to come. Making it Up is my 30th book! That means there are a LOT of books coming out soon.

Sign up for the newsletter to be sure you're catching all the excitement!

I've been writing professionally for nearly thirteen years. I am currently working on my thirtieth book, with an astounding number of those on active submission through my agent. I've many milestones ahead, but wanted to share my greatest success story so far. 

One of my projects that just launched on submission is a middle grade novel called WHIMSY. I wrote the book entirely for my son, pictured above. In fact, while most books of mine begin with a premise or a magic system, the original premise for this project was how to include as many things that he liked into a single adventure story. 

After I finished the project, I started reading him the book from my laptop. We shared chapters at bedtime and he'd started enjoying it. Yet, then he became very ill. I ended up spending several days with him at the local children's hospital. There is nothing harder as a parent than seeing your kid suffer and in pain. He was attached to IVs, clearly suffering, and the stress on us both was immense. I'd brought his tablet, toys, art supplies and more, but during our stay there was only thing he wanted. Time and time again, he grabbed my arm and said (in a raspy, suffering voice) "Dad, read me more Whimsy, please." 

I did. I poured my heart into the draft, thinking of him, and then shared that draft with him as a lifeline when he needed it. And in that moment, I think I realized how truly important my writing was. As of this writing, I might not have achieved some of the standard marks of success authors aspire to, but I will never doubt  my own success again, because my writing mattered in that moment, and it mattered to the kid who matters most to me. 

It is one of the strongest writing experiences I've had, and I will always treasure it. 

The Chrysalis...

I havent been blogging much on this site. 
In fact my last post was in January.

Yet, that's not to say I haven't been writing. In fact, I'm about to finish the first draft of my 22nd book, (and that's not counting two discarded novels that made it to beta readers). I've been on submission with my awesome agent Steve Fraser for nearly two years. It isn't easy. It's a long, hard part of the publishing process that few discuss. The best analogy is a chrysalis. That's where I am now. At any moment, I will emerge with book deals and big news. While in this state, my entire career's transforming and changing into something amazing. But from the outside, it's honestly pretty boring.

Still, as of last week, we have SIX projects on active submission! 
Six! That's awesome. And 11 more finished projects with Steve ready to send to publishers now, once those deals roll in. 

So, what are those six? Let's peek behind the curtain. Some of these have been shared before but some are newly sent. By age the six are:

1. SAM AND THE OGRE - a picture book - A dragon chef cooks weather, but cant make an ogre happy until he offers friendship instead

2. THE SUN EXPRESS - a picture book - Two leaves find new life on a train from the sun. 

3. DETAILS IN THE DARK - a picture book based on a real conversation with my son - A boy asks his father to help him not feel afraid in the dark

4. STARKEEPER - the middle grade novel first sent out and that landed Steve - An aspiring 13-yr-old poet must re-light the world’s stars after confronting the Man in the Moon. 

5. THE AUTUMN TURNERS - a middle grade novel set in Starkeeper's world - Two estranged siblings discover each other and confront their parent’s killer before turning the season to Autumn.

6. THE SHADOW OF EVERDAWN - a ya/adult crossover and the starting book in a series - What good is limitless Power if you're too afraid to use it? A 17-year-old prisoner has the power to free himself and stop a
conquering empire, but will lose all memories of someone he cares about. 

what else have I been up to?

One month ago, my wife launched a brand-new store: theveganlifeshop.com/ The Vegan Life shop is an awesome new store dedicated to ethical, sustainable, vegan goods including cosmetics, cleaners, housewares, and more. Sustainability is so important to the world right now, and buying sustainable, cruelty-free products can create meaningful change in the world, while also offering amazing goods. Check out the store for yourself! 

and just to fill this chrysalis phase one more level, I've also been freelance writing more and more. Check out my newest piece on Insider, for instance.

This past December I sent my agent Steve my newest completed novel- Twyn Souls - an ambitious adult fantasy told from three POVs that each alternate across a sixty year gap, showing the characters at the beginning and end of their journeys. Set in a world where everyone has a "twyn" they see through while asleep, and who sees through them while awake, this is the first in a duology.

Twyn Souls is my fourteenth publisher-ready project and my eighteenth book total, including the four out now. 

As I shared previously, there are four books on submission at the moment. Those projects will hopefully find a home this year. I'm very optimistic for book deals and while it's been a long road to get to this point, I am excited to take that next step. 

In the meantime, I'm focusing on three major new works-in-progress this year. One is a satire, my first attempt at genuine humor. This fantasy parody has an Onward meets Lower Decks vibe and is about the struggles of parenting. It's told in a choose-your-own-adventure style and filled with terrible puns which makes it extra fun. I'm also working on a massive space opera/space fantasy in a similar style to Dune and Star Wars. Finally, I've started a new YA/older Fantasy Romance series- loosely Court of Thorns and Roses meets Shadow and Bone vibe, which centers on two magic users trapped together on a world that both needs and despises them. 

In the meantime, you can find me blogging away at CityDads about parenting.  And if you havent subscribed to the newsletter yet, be sure to now, so you can catch the exciting book deal news that I hope to soon share.