Haru Book 3: Fall & other things

Release date: November 20th, 2025

Apr 08, 2025

Hello friends,
I write this update with an aching body, tired from worrying too much and sleeping too little. This is how my brain works. I don’t know how to balance it out, or if I ever will, but I guess it doesn’t matter, not really. As long as I’m still here I keep going.

HARU: Book 3: coming November 20th, 2025

So the good news first; I submitted the manuscript of Book 3 to my lovely editor and publisher on Friday, so I’m awaiting any final edits and changes before it goes to print, but it’s extremely close to the finish line. I’ve made a contact sheet to show you the colour story, and to share the sheer amount of work in this book (the page order is all messed up here, and I’ve pixelated it so there are no spoilers).

If you enjoy my work, it would make a HUGE difference to me if you are able to buy the books, or if you have them already, and could leave a review anywhere you can. Or even more, if you liked them, please tell your friends about them if you think they may enjoy the books too. I’m an ant in this world and every little bit of support makes a world of difference.

I also saw that the Ringo Awards are now open, if anyone would like to nominate my books, that would be amazing. Here’s the link »

There may possibly, hopefully, be a book 4, though it’s worth noting that this third book is the final one in the contracted agreement. There is more to the story, but this chapter will give you closure, I hope.

The Saga

I just saw a video of the amazing Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet), working behind the scenes on Book 8 & 9 of Amulet, while it was fantastic seeing some of the process, he also had 2 people assisting him with the colours, and it reminded me of just how small I am in this scene and world. I dream of earning a living from my books. These three Haru books, words, pencils, inks, colours, were done entirely by me. I had the support of a talented, sharp and considerate editor, and her colleagues, but the journey through nearly 900 pages of comic has been one I’ve walked alone.

Closing this saga is a big deal for me. I started formulating the plot for this story many years ago, and like many things, it morphed and grew, and became part of me. It all seemed coalesce in 2020, when we went through an extremely challenging time. My partner had a miscarriage, then my Mum died, then the pandemic swooped in and we had an empty funeral, then my Son was born, then my partner had post natal depression while we were deep into pandemic isolation. I was holed up in the spare room coding websites for people, getting increasingly sad, wanting to do anything else in the world than code those websites.

Haru’s journey ended up being a very personal one for me. To me it’s about grief and self identity, and how far you would go for those that you love. But it’s also about growing up. I don’t think we ever really stop growing up. Whilst working on the story I became really captivated by The Divine Comedy by Dante Allegieri, and the woodblock prints by Gustav Dore. Allegieri is quoted as having said there are three ways to read his work, the poetic, the allegorical, and the literal. I really love that thought, that you can add layers of connection through your words for those who are looking for them. I tried to do something similar with Haru. Will it connect with people? Maybe. Who knows.

What next?

So what next? Well, I’ll be exhibiting at Fine Lines festival in Cheltenham in May, and The Lakes, and Thought Bubble later in the year. I might have copies of Book 3 in time for Thought Bubble, I’m not sure yet.

I also need to remember how to promote these books, my head has been lost deep in work on Book 3, it’s kind of dropped off my list until now.

I don’t know if anyone would find any of the following interesting, useful, or fun, but please let me know your thoughts… I’m thinking of doing the following:

some free drawing workshops on YouTube
launching a kickstarter to promote a new single issue comic (info soon)
working on the next chapter of Haru, and other pitches.
putting together a pack of my comic resources (fonts, brushes, page layout grids), possibly for sale on Gumroad or via Patreon (I can’t quite figure out how I feel about these options, I know I’m an ant in the world, but maybe someone might find it useful? If I used Patreon I would share more workshops and process breakdowns, and I guess I’d keep it more like a ‘tip jar’ so keep the subscription price low.)
possibly launching a podcast to discuss comics, process, storytelling
I’m not sure what else - let me know if you have any suggestions

Though all of that is limited by my time, which seems to be ever decreasing, and dictated by my severe lack of income.

Nonethless, I will continue to push forward, to work, to fight to tell my stories, and to know there are good people in my corner ready to have my back means I’m already miles away from where I was a few years ago.

Ever onward from a broken brain.

Thank you, friends