Hello lovely readers,
Did you enjoy the summer? I hope so, but we are on the cusp of one of my favourite months of the year… October!
There are many reasons I love October, but one is the changing weather and darker evenings mean plenty of opportunities to wrap up in a blanket and get snug with a book by lamplight. With Halloween on the horizon, October often means time for spooky books!
With this in mind, I have a lot of exciting news in relation to my spooky adventure, The Shoe Creeper!
Have you ever seen a random shoe on the side of the road? Aimed at readers aged 9+, The Shoe Creeper tells the story of Ethan – a young boy seeking control of his complicated life. Ethan must uncover the link between his unwell grandmother and an original fairy-tale monster that kidnaps children.
The Shoe Creeper is a FINALIST for the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2026!
Last week I found out The Shoe Creeper has reached the final round in the BBNYA 2026! This is incredible news, and I am so excited that this will help the story reach new readers. Watch this space for more news as it develops…
99p/99c offer!
From midnight on 1st October 2026 to the end of 7th October 2026, The Shoe Creeper will be 99p on Kindle in the UK and 99c on Kindle in the US (PDT). This is a great time to give it a go as the story is set in the lead up to Halloween!
The Shoe Creeper Half Term Treasure Trail!
For many months, I’ve been working behind the scenes on something very exciting! As The Shoe Creeper is set in Devon in a town called Seaton, I contacted Seaton Town Council earlier this year to see if we could work together in some way.
They very kindly put me in touch with some local contacts, and as a result, I’ve been collaborating with Seaton Library (part of Libraries Unlimited) to create The Shoe Creeper Half Term Treasure Trail!
But what is it?
That’s a good question! Here’s how it will work:
From Saturday 24th October 2026, collect your free Treasure Trail booklet from Seaton Library (check opening hours first) or email the library via seaton.library@librariesunlimited.org.uk for a downloadable pack. This will include a map of Seaton to explore the town with special clues.
See if you can solve the clues to enter a free prize draw to win goodies (including one of five shoe creeper pins and signed posters)!
Return a completed answer slip to Seaton Library by 1 p.m. on Saturday 7th November. Five winners will be chosen randomly from all valid entries and contacted by the end of Monday 9th November.
Seaton Library can also be contacted on 01297 21832.
Keep an eye on my social media platforms for more as the event approaches.
Children in Read 2026
Children in Read is part of a global event where Authors and Illustrators sign and dedicate their books as part of a HUGE online signed book auction. All proceeds are in aid of BBC Children in Need.
Children in Read 2026 kicks off on 3rd October, and all three of my books will be available as listings!
Listing 1 will include two signed/personalised Fyn Carter books (Fyn Carter and the Agents of Eromlos and Fyn Carter and the Legends from Atlantis), a Henry Flame badge, and two bookmarks.
Listing 2 will include a signed/personalised copy of The Shoe Creeper, a shoe creeper badge, and a bookmark.
In-person events for October!
October is a very busy month for me. Here is what I’ve got lined up:
- Saturday 3rd = Mynt Image Craft and Gift Fair at Salisbury Guildhall
- Saturday 10th = Mynt Image Craft and Gift Fair at Guildford Guildhall
- Sunday 11th = New Forest Makers Market at Fair Oak Village Hall in Southampton
- Saturday 17th = Mynt Image Craft and Gift Fair at Lymington Masonic Hall
- Sunday 18th = Westy Indie Book & Tabletop Game Fair in Aldershot
- Saturday 24th October = Halloween Market at the Design Chapel on Southampton Common
- Saturday 31st October = Mynt Image Craft and Gift Fair at Winchester Guildhall
General events are available to view here.
Coming in the next blog…
Watch this space, because the next blog will reveal the cover for Fyn Carter 3 aka Fyn Carter and the Might of the Masters!
Thanks as always for your support!
All the best.
Ian x
