I am so sad about this. I don’t know where the adult blackbirds have gone, or how or why this happened. I’ve been so awed witnessing the parents’ dedication up close and I’m gutted that it came to nothing.

Then this evening I arrived home from a walk to discover the dead body of one of the chicks on the lawn. I rushed to where the nest is and grabbed a chair to stand on. Peering in, I saw with horror that the other chick was also dead. It was only then I realised I hadn’t heard them feeding today.

And if you want a peek at 2026, there's already a few covers amongst these: teherengawakapress.co.nz/collections/...

Thanks Donna! Our whole community, you included, are the legends.

No, please don’t make me!

Thank you, as always, to the wonderful publishing teams and fellow designers and creatives who have helped and inspired me this past 12 months. Publishing folk are such a lovely extended family (looking at you especially @thwupbooks.bsky.social and @johnmurrays.bsky.social!)

The artworks that featured in Sala Alas were conceived and produced alongside a wider body of paintings. Picking up the Pieces will use the heritage rooms and thoroughfares of Inverlochy House to stage a new arrangement of blue works, many of which haven’t been exhibited before.

Thanks Rachael!

Thank you so much, not just for selecting Sick Power Trip, but for consistently supporting and spotlighting the art of book cover design over the years. It’s great to have another champion out there who celebrates the mahi of our small community.

One major UK publisher that I have worked has banned AI from any stage in a book’s production. The rationale being that it defends the sanctity of the book in an age where human authorship begins to be questioned. I think this is the kind of bold thinking that the whole industry needs.