Clare's New Year Update!

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Greetings from Lydon HQ and of course, Happy New Queer! We landed back from Oz on the 30th, and I'm almost over my jet lag. Because of that, for the first time in my adult life, I was asleep when Big Ben struck midnight. Will that be a good omen for 2026? I guess we'll find out. Whatever happens, the coming twelve months have to be better than the previous dozen. Professionally, 2025 purred along nicely. Personally and politically, it was the M25 at rush hour, featuring an overturned lorry of sour milk and a lot of aggressive braking.

However arbitrary that fresh line in the sand might be, I’m here for it. Mostly because it’s January, one of my fave months. I used to find it bleak, but now I think it’s quietly powerful. While everyone else is spiralling about self‑improvement, I’m giving January a bear hug and a long look. Twelve fresh chapters. 365 new pages. Start something new, finish something old, or ignore the whole thing and read in bed. All valid.

My Plans For 2026:

1. New Books: You can expect at least two new books from me this year. The first is set in my football universe, and sees two rival coaches fall for each other. This is opposites attract on steroids, with competition, heat and drama to the max. I'm really loving the characters so far! The second book will be a festive fake dating novel that kicks off in Australia. The premise came to me Christmas morning on a balcony in Sydney. You can't get more festive than that!
2. Special Editions: Those special editions that were quietly haunting my printer’s inbox at the end of last year? They should finally make their way into the world in 2026. There’ll also be a physical boxset of my London Romance series. If you’re a “pretty books on shelves” kind of person — aren't we all? — this one’s for you.
3. Reading Goals: I've officially accepted that reading goals don't work for me. Reading itself? Elite behaviour. So I’ll be reading whatever I want, whenever I want, with zero targets and maximum vibes. Goodreads and I have broken up: it was mutual, I’m thriving. I’ll be tracking elsewhere, or not tracking at all like a literary menace.
4. Movement: I go through phases with the gym, but in Q1, I'm determined to recommit. My step goal stays at 9k/day, which I usually hit. Yoga and stretching stay non‑negotiable, because without them I cannot type, and without typing none of the above happens. It's a very fragile ecosystem.
5. Audiobooks: My audiobook listening stats were outrageously good in 2025. If you listened, huge thanks! However, did I listen to a single audiobook? No. Not one. A crime, frankly. This year, I’m attempting a redemption arc. Spotify gives me two audiobooks a month, and since I already inhale podcasts daily, there is no excuse not to try. Please feel free to hold me accountable or watch me spiral.

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What am I writing? My new football book, which I've plotted and then rewritten the start about six times. January will be the time I really start to hammer out the words on this. I'm going to book the editor this week, then I have a deadline to work towards. I think you're going to like this one. Title reveal very soon!

What am I reading? I'm currently reading Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark, which is making me smile. Fingers crossed it stays just as wonderful until the end. In the meantime, you can check out my longer list of recommended queer reads by clicking here.

Signed Copies Back On Sale: I took them off my shop while I was in Australia over Christmas, but now I'm back and fully stocked. If you want a signed copy, they're available now on my web shop!

Would you write me a review on my web shop? For any book of mine you've read. Reviews are important to new readers who might take a chance on me. Also, they make my shop look like a proper grown-up shop, which I very much like!

New to my books? If that's you, hello! Also, you're in luck: I created a special page on my website so you don't feel lost. I have 28 novels to dive into. Go here for your next sapphic read! ​

Last time's question: Last time I asked: Does swearing put you off, or do you love it, used well? Thanks so much for all your answers, here are a select few...

Susan says: "I'm all in on swearing where needed, not necessarily on every fucking page, but 65% is okay. We live in 2025, and swearing is part of life. I'm in my 70s, but still enjoy a good swear. Over the years, many a pet of mine has listened with paws over their ears!"

Lucy says: "I've stopped reading books and watching films with ridiculous amounts of swearing, it puts me right off. I was brought up in the 70s and at the age of nine said "bloody hell" and my mother chased me around the garden with a bottle of fairy liquid and washed my mouth out."

Chris says: "I am a total potty mouth so my thoughts are both contradictory and hypocritical. I have no issue with any kind of swearing in books so long as it is relevant. I get fed up with gratuitous and consistent/persistent swearing with no context and either stop watching/listening/reading. It bores me. Which in turn makes me question what comes out of my own mouth..."

Barbara says: "Since I like a good swear, I am for it. But I'm always reminded of a college professor many moons ago who said with all the words in the English language, why do we overuse swear words so much? I haven't lived up to her expectations, but I do try."

Jessica says: "I like to hear all of the swears. It's real motherfucking life. I like it in characters, I like it in the bedroom scenes. To not swear in these times, I worry for people's sanity."

Leah says: "I don’t mind a little swearing when the character is in a bad situation or having problems. However, I intensely dislike the F word when women are making love, having sex or during intimacy. I don’t find it enticing if a woman says I want to F you. It jars my reading, taking a wonderful interaction and turning it into something non-sensual."

Robin says: "I love a good swear! And give me the real deals, no euphemisms please. Besides being more realistic, swearing can also be satisfyingly cathartic."

Debs says: "I too often cringe reading moments in books where swearing would be appropriate for the character, only for the author to use a mediocre expression instead. Keep on swearing. That's part of life."

This week's question: I've listed my goals for the year in my list above. What are your plans for 2026? Reading, writing, fitness, food, whatever. Or do you avoid setting goals at all? Hit reply and let me know if you're a goal-setter, and if so, what they are. I'd love to know!

That's it from me. This weekend, my wife and I will be settling back into life in blighty, and by the end of it, we're determined to have unpacked all our suitcases and put them back in the loft. We're starting the new year with small, manageable goals. Whatever you're doing, I hope your first weekend of 2026 is full of hope, happiness, and books that make your heart burst.

Until next time, thanks for your support & happy reading!

Love,

Clare. xxx

ps - Don't forget to hit reply and tell me your goals for 2026. I'd love to know!

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