I didn’t know how to label this article, there was the thought about being totally honest and calling it ‘Shit news’, or ‘Disastrous news”, or ‘End of an era’ or variations on themes that implied misery. Because, yeah it’s been a rough few months.
I will begin and end this piece by thanking Amy, James and Ted at Northodox for making my dream come true. For turning me from an aspiring author to a real one – with books in lots of Waterstones, Blackwells, Foyles and more! They had faith in me, decided they wanted to work with me – gave me a 2 book deal and we later signed for another book.
We SOLD OUT! I had the thrill of radio and podcast interviews, panel appearances, a fab book launch (thanks so much to my wife Karen for that!), and some ace reviews. Best of all is that I have found a little writing community of stable mates and I am convinced many of us are now friends for life.
It’s crazy really – March to June 2025 was possibly amongst the happiest times of my life – largely for personal selfish reasons with The Triton Run published, Liverpool winning the league and Springsteen at Anfield. Everything else also seemed to be so good. I was so wrong! However, I am posting here about writing.
None of this is telling tales but I wanted to record my perspective and thanks.
I will start with my publisher’s official announcement:
Now Northodox is a small indie press, very small and somehow the guys have grown massively over the 5 years to date. In 2025 they published 24 books. Incredible really for a press that was done in the spare time of the team! They all had full time jobs to manage as well.
They chose some ace books – some nominated for awards – and were the talk of publishing. I was even told by a buyer that Waterstones had them on a ‘watch out for’ list such was their reputation.
However – there is little money in publishing and I suspect most Indies are operating hand to mouth doing it for the love of books and a belief in the mission than with a realistic desire to bring in loads of cash. That, coupled with too many books put so much pressure on the guys.
I suspected issues were coming to a head in the summer when they couldn’t afford second print runs for a number of books that had sold out at the wholesalers – including the Triton Run. We had spent ages working together to iron out a few missed typos and issues and James had updated the cover to include comments from reviewers. There was also considerable pressure from one author that must have added a lot of stress.
So it was little surprise when it was revealed that Northodox in its current guise could not continue. At one point they were definitely thinking of shuttering and everyone faced their books going out of print. However, and I was pleased to help advise on their options, they concluded they could continue but in a smaller way and hopefully rebuild. Ted and Amy took advice and will continue Northodox. They will however only focus on historical books and drop to 3 or 4 books a year. The focus on one genre makes sense based on their stable of writers, sales and the overall market.
Needless to say this was heartbreaking for all concerned – not least the guys. I think all of their authors have gone through the full range emotions, me included. There has been shock, surprise, disappointment and a bit of anger in some places. Those most disappointed must be those who had debuts lined up for 2026 that will now not appear as planned. That must be gutting.
Northodox however have been author centric from day one – probably to their own detriment. Not only have they been accessible, honest and supportive but their contracts were fair. Their royalties were generous and paid on time. We’ve been told that all rights will revert – including the fully edited text (often the edits don’t revert) as well as covers for those who want to self publish. Can’t say fairer than that! I have read many horror stories of publishers big and small that go under and rights end up trapped in administration limbo.
Of course, one size doesn’t fit all. Some authors still have a lot of stock with Northodox so will run that off and others will remain as Print on Demand. I of course had no stock because we sold it – bar a few copies at Northodox and Waterstones still have about 10 stores that have some, including some that are signed.
I could stay as Print on Demand but I don’t think it’s right for me, The Triton Run, and its sequel Jovian Sunset. I have been in bookshops, I don’t want to take a step back. Also, Northodox don’t have the resources to back me as it needs. As such the best decision is for us to part ways, and we do so as friends. I know they are as gutted as I am!
My next steps? I will post on that fully in the new year but essentially I have queried a very select number of UK agents and one publisher with the Triton Run and Jovian Sunset. I know it’s often hard to sell something already published but the limited sales (and selling out!) hopefully gives them proof of concept as it were – people are interested and we got great reviews. Jovian Sunset is unpublished, and could be standalone.
So lets see what the new year brings, if no luck I will try US based agents (we had been gearing up to get the Triton Run into Barnes & Noble) and then more indie presses.
Meanwhile, writing continues. I have two separate novels that need tinkering and then one of them will be ready to query from scratch.
There are times where I am gutted, it feels like the dream is over – however I keep telling myself that it’s easier to get published again now I reached the summit of Everest. I have proved I can write, that I am credible, so hard work will get me back where I want to be. One step back to take 2 steps forward?
