The Never Witch is Finalized

July 18, 2025 By JPMcLean 3 Comments

I’m pleased to report that The Never Witch is finalized. The ebook and paperback editions are now available wherever pre-orders are permitted. I’ll soon have a copy to hold in hands and will share photos when it arrives. In the meantime, here’s a look at the bookmark:

Upcoming In-person Events

The following are my upcoming events. Come by and say hello. Pick up a beach read for yourself or a gift for a friend. (All of my in-person events are listed here.)

Campbell River Farmers’ Market, Sunday, July 20, 2025, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, in Spirit Square, Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC

Parksville Summer by the Sea Street Market, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 6:00-9:00 pm, on Craig Street in downtown Parksville

Comox Valley Makers’ Market, Saturday, July 26, 2025, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm, at The Old Farm Market (across from the courthouse), 660 England Ave, Courtenay, BC

Comox Nautical Days, August 2-4, 2025, 10-6 Sat & Sun, 10-5 Mon, at Comox Marina Park, 127 Port Augusta St, Comox, BC.

What I’m reading

Or perhaps rereading. I picked up Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare, but I have the sneaky suspicion I’ve read it before. Regardless, I’ll keep reading because I don’t recall how it ends.

I’m also bingeing Louise Penny audiobooks set in Quebec and centred around her character, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec. Penny has thoroughly hooked me, and so has the narrator, Robert Bathurst, who is masterful.

The Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival

Denman Island’s annual festival is taking place July 18th to 20th this year. The festival organizers have, once again, lined up an interesting mix of authors to present their work. I’ll be attending and volunteering. Looking forward to it, especially Caroline Adderson, A Way to Be Happy, and Timothy Taylor, The Rise and Fall of Magic Wolf.

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Until next time…

Cover Reveal

June 11, 2025 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

The Never Witch Cover Reveal

I’m so excited to share with you the cover for The Never Witch. A cover reveal is a milestone in a book’s journey. It’s a promise that the book is on its way, and a glimpse of the story’s tone. For this cover, I worked with a Canadian team at ebooklaunch.com. I love their visual interpretation of the story, and they are a pleasure to work with. The book will be available in digital and print formats. Audio to follow.

If magic fires you up and you’re looking for an escape, you’ll enjoy The Never Witch. It’s a supernatural suspense set in present day in the Pacific Northwest.

When power bites back, beware the Never Witch

Adeline Thorne was a witch with no power, until a convicted warlock, in an act of desperation, dumps his magic into her. Power was an irresistible drug to Adeline. The Never Witch now had magic. The only problem? The warlock wants it back.

If you can’t get enough of Rachel Griffin, V.E. Schwab, and Alix E. Harrow, then you’ll love The Never Witch

The Never Witch will be released on September 16, 2025, and is available now for pre-order at all the usual outlets. More outlets added every day.

Upcoming In-person Events

I’m looking forward to being a part of the very first Summer Solstice Market on June 20^th from 5:00 pm until sundown at the Crow’s Nest Artist Collective in Campbell River, 2550 Island Highway South.

The event will have many fun options, including a fire dancer, live music, interactive booths, and free activities. Come by and say hello, and enjoy the festivities.

What I’m Reading

Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin. I’d read her first book, The Nature of Witches last month, and really enjoyed it. Wild is the Witch is also good. The aspect I love most about Griffin’s stores is how she finds new takes on magic and sets the stories in the real world. That’s right up my alley.

I also read My Notorious Life by Kate Manning. It tells the story of a scrappy orphan named Axie Muldoon, raised in 1860s New York. The author drew on actual events and conditions. Her story is unflinching and eye-opening for anyone not familiar with the time period. Axie’s story is a testament to the struggles of women, the dangers of midwifery, and the impossible choices women were forced to make under the anvil of what we’d now call morality police. It’s a timely reminder.

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That’s all my news for June. If you’d like to know more about me, my writing life, and my home on Denman Island, sign up for my monthly newsletter, where I share photos, updates, FREE short stories, and insider scoop. I never share your email address, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Until next time…

We Have a Title!

May 10, 2025 By JPMcLean 6 Comments

I’m thrilled to share with you that we have a title for the new book. Thanks to everyone who submitted their choices, added new ideas, and shared their opinions. It was a nail-biting decision, but it’s done. The new title is—drum roll please . . .

The Never Witch, A Thorne Witch Novel

The wheels are now in motion to get the publishing ball rolling. I’ve received the ISBN numbers, the copyright certificate, and I’ve engaged a cover designer. I’ve finished writing the front- and back-end material, and I’m also familiarizing myself with new software, Affinity Publisher, which should make laying out the interior of the book much easier.

While I wait for the manuscript to be put through its paces, I’ll get caught up with the weeding (is anyone ever caught up with weeding?) and when the sun goes down in the evenings, I’ll pick away at creating marketing material. With a glass of wine.

What I’m reading

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin Loved this book. Griffin gives us a new take on magic and witches with a strong tie-in to the environment. Lovely language and writing. Romance and magic in perfect balance. I also love the book cover. Highly recommend.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. Another excellent book. It’s about a woman who makes a deal with the devil to escape an unwanted marriage . But the devil is in the details, and the deal she thought she’d made isn’t what she’s dealt. Though mildly repetitive, I’d still recommend it.

If you’d like to know more about me, my writing life, and my home on Denman Island, please sign up for my monthly newsletter, where I share photos, updates, FREE short stories, and insider scoop. I never share your email address, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Until next time . . .

Audiobook Update: It’s DONE!

January 1, 2025 By JPMcLean 2 Comments

Audiobook Update

After fourteen months and countless hours, I’m beyond thrilled to announce that the audiobooks for the Dark Dreams novels are D O N E. Finally! And I’m delighted with how the recordings turned out.

The process has challenged me, tested my patience, and convinced me that I’d rather spend my time writing. And though I may not record another audiobook, I’m proud of the quality of work I was able to achieve with these books.

The next step is a stamp of approval from Audible, Kobo, Spotify, and other retailers. When (hopefully not if) the audiobooks are approved, they’ll show up on the retail sites. I’ll be posting links on my Bookshop page as soon as the audiobooks are available.

Blood Mark Audiobook Sample

Ghost Mark Audiobook Sample

Scorch Mark Audiobook Sample

In-Person Events

My next in-person event will be the 2025 North Island Writers Conference, where I’ll be presenting a workshop on writing deeper dialogue.

Many writers have a love/hate relationship with dialogue. But dialogue is a key element in most fiction writing. It’s a heavy lifter in a writer’s toolbox. When done well, dialogue can reveal character, heighten emotion, define subtext, and advance the plot. If you want to take a deeper dive into writing dialogue, join me. Registration is now open.

Date: January 19, 2025

Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Location: North Island College Comox Valley Campus

Tyee Hall, Room 204

2300 Ryan Road, Courtenay, BC, V9N 8N6

Witch Book Progress

I’m back in my happy place, writing again. Though the outline is a mess, I couldn’t help myself. I popped the cork on all the creativity that I’d bottled-up while I finished the audiobooks. I’ll indulge in writing a little while longer, then go back and tune up the outline. I won’t even mind if I have to rewrite what I’ve written; it just feels SO good to be back to writing.

That’s all my news this final month of 2024. Have a wonderful New Year. Sending all my best wishes for a healthy, happy, 2025. If you’d like to know more about me, my writing life, and my home on Denman Island, please sign up for my monthly newsletter, where I share photos, updates, FREE short stories, and insider scoop. I never share your email address, and you can unsubscribe at any time.