I am very happy and very excited to report that I’ve finished the first draft of my new novel, which is the first book in the Felix Renn/Black Lands series. It came out at 97,532 words, and it’s called Sycamore.

I’ve spent several years writing short stories and novellas about the Toronto-based private investigator Felix Renn, a kind of supernatural Spenser, in a world where the paranormal is the norm.Sycamore is the first Felix Renn novel, and it was such a joy to write.

I am very happy and very excited to report that I’ve finished the first draft of my new novel, which is the first book in the Felix Renn/Black Lands series. It came out at 97,532 words, and it’s called Sycamore. I’ve spent several years writing short stories and novellas about the Toronto-based private investigator Felix Renn, a kind of supernatural Spenser, in a world where the paranormal is the norm.Sycamore is the first Felix Renn novel, and it was such a joy to write. I had forgotten how much I loved writing in Felix’s voice and exploring the world of the Black Lands. I can’t speak to where or when this novel will be published (if it’s published at all), but I can say it was some of the most fun I’ve ever had writing a book. I actually finished writing it on July 30th, and have spent the past couple of weeks giving it a final pass before sending it off to my agent. Being able to read the story as a whole is usually cause for a series of minor heart attacks and spasms of self-doubt, but in the case of SYCAMORE I was surprisingly pleased with how well everything held together. Maybe it’s because I’ve had this story in my head for several years, or maybe it’s because I’ve come some way as a writer in that time. Regardless of the reason, I’m feeling very positive about this book. I love the story, I love the characters, and I love the groundwork that’s been laid down for the rest of the series to come. Huge monster-sized thanks to my wife, Kathryn, who has supported my work from the very beginning, and has been telling me for years, “You have to write the Felix book!” I also want to thank my agent, Christine Cohen, who helped bring me back from the dead, and who’s been looking forward to this book for a long time. I’m very fortunate to have these two incredible women in my corner.I had forgotten how much I loved writing in Felix’s voice and exploring the world of the Black Lands. I can’t speak to where or when this novel will be published (if it’s published at all), but I can say it was some of the most fun I’ve ever had writing a book.

I actually finished writing it on July 30th, and have spent the past couple of weeks giving it a final pass before sending it off to my agent. Being able to read the story as a whole is usually cause for a series of minor heart attacks and spasms of self-doubt, but in the case of Sycamore I was surprisingly pleased with how well everything held together. Maybe it’s because I’ve had this story in my head for several years, or maybe it’s because I’ve come some way as a writer in that time.

Regardless of the reason, I’m feeling very positive about this book. I love the story, I love the characters, and I love the groundwork that’s been laid down for the rest of the series to come.

Huge monster-sized thanks to my wife, Kathryn, who has supported my work from the very beginning, and has been telling me for years, “You have to write the Felix book!”