WIP – New Novel and update on Warlock’s Dream.

As my arbitrary deadline for publishing Warlock’s Dream approaches, I have started work on a second novel, a Science Fiction thriller adventure, and I have been MORE active on a new Tik Tok profile (@jeff.watkins.auth) than anywhere else at present.

First, Warlock’s Dream. I have a few artists offering to do the cover art, which I hope to lock in next month. Once that is done, I will do a last personal re-read, before creating an advance copy for a select group of ARC reviewers. I have had a few put their hand to be one so I will be coordinating with them. Then it is locking my final choice for who to publish with. I am currently considering Draft 2 Digital, although I have subtle unfounded reservations, so am still researching options. The hope is come July 2026, it will be available as both an Ebook and in Print.

As for the second novel, it is very much inspired by multiple styles and authors. Timothy Zahn, Sean Williams, and Issac Asimov are without doubt the most influential authors in my writing style. I am also a big fan of shows like The Expanse, Blade Runner, Babylon 5, and Firefly which have all had some sway in this work in progress. Other less significant influences include Ghost in the Shell, Cyberpunk, Sherlock Holmes, and Start Trek.

These four worlds are by far the largest influence in this new novel.

As at the time of writing this, I am at over 18200 words and barely scratched the surface of the deeper mystery of the story. It is a whodunit political thriller, imperfect utopian, hard science fiction set in the latter half of the 23rd century.

Humanity has spread to the stars on the back of technology permitting limited instantaneous travel. They have fractured and gone separate ways. The Federation is the oldest and origin, and they try to maintain stability best they can.

Murder is committed on a key diplomatic space station that has the potential to disrupt the fragile peace between nations. The motives and perpetrator must be brought to light before news spreads. Yet there are strange rumours of another looming threat.

I am letting the story write itself which has already shocked me with some of the twists. I’ll try to keep updating this as I can. I may post other sort of relevant research I’ve been doing, that will provide subtle clues to some of the lore to this tale.

Let me know if you want to hear more.