Roz MacLaren

[Insert some deeply insightful and completely original insights on the past year, without resorting to platitudes like “2025, what a year it’s been” and “Grateful for every moment of 2025.” Even though it has and I am.]

Joking aside, it’s hard to know what to say about a recap of the past year that doesn’t involve some trite cliché. So let’s just get straight into the facts and figures that nobody asked for.

2025 book releases

2025 saw three of my book babies emerge into the world. The latest two installments of my series, The Mirrordom Legends, and my standalone novel, January.

I had the honour of contributing to two very different anthologies this year. Bewitched Blooms was put together by New York Times bestseller, Briar Boleyn, as a fundraising anthology.

A Wild Run was imagined by Melanie Mar, whose vision to showcase human creativity over AI inspired incredible stories. I’m still very proud of my contribution, The Girl With The Glass Heart.

The story I wrote for Bewitched Blooms came off Kindle Unlimited in September, and I went on to release it exclusively for my Street Team members.

Here’s the blurb:

In a world where no one can steal, lie or kill, Myth can do all three.

She has spent her life hiding from those who would banish her. But when she discovers a letter from the father she never knew, Myth escapes into the outside world. Alongside her reluctant twin, Omen, and a trio of strangers with secrets of their own, Myth plunges headfirst into adventure. But not everyone can be trusted. When Myth’s life is on the line, is discovering where she belongs worth the price of betrayal?

Works in progress

I wrote five novels in 2025. I feel I’ve learned so much about the craft of writing this year and I hope that shows in my work. I’ve written two Middle Grade novels, two YA novels and one adult psychological thriller. Even if none of them are ever released, everything I write is practice for future work.

Author appearances

I’ve made appearances at two events this year – one on the Isle of Skye and one in London.

YALC is the literary highlight of my year and I’m forever grateful I took the plunge in 2024 to leave my comfort zone far behind.

Let’s make a deal

I’ve made five deals with two publishers for 2026.

• Flame and Phoenix
• Quiver and Arrow
• Forgotten Skye
• Funeral For A Robot
• The Boy With Wings For Hands

I can’t wait for you to read the stories.

Not all work and no play

It’s not all been writing, though…

She’s been my number one artist on Spotify for as long as I can remember!

Like many other millennials, I’ve suddenly discovered the deep joy of gardening. I’m fortunate enough to have inherited a ready-made garden. I see myself as its caretaker, duty-bound to maintain the work and leave a lovely space for the next generation. This year, I’ve grown:

• sunflowers (highly successful outdoors, not successful at all in the polytunnel)
• green beans (do not recommend. Lots of leaf, little bean and the beans that did appear were nasty)
• squash
• lettuce
• sweet peas (highly successful)
• carrots (lots of top, very little carrot)
• parsnips (not tried yet)
• strawberries (completely dead)
• sweetcorn (successfully grew leaves, not much else)

I find it relaxing and fulfilling – and it gave me a new appreciation of where my food comes from and how much time and effort goes into growing it!

What’s next for 2026?

I’m running an indie reading challenge. Join me for #IndieReads2026 and let’s discover a world of new characters and adventures.

As many people across the world contemplate what to gift their friends and loved ones, I thought it would be an appropriate time to suggest some presents for the readers in your life.

Books – of course!

If you’re not a reader yourself, however, it can be very hard to buy for your bookish friends. Even if you are a reader, your tastes may not match theirs! I’d recommend a quick squiz at their socials – sometimes people have their Amazon wishlist in their biography and you can use that to surprise them with something they’ll definitely want. Assuming they haven’t helpfully made a wishlist public, their socials may give you something to work with in terms of their tastes and preferred genres.

Books with sprayed edges

If your friend is into books that look pretty, sprayed edges might be the way to go. This means, even if you happen to get them a duplicate title they already have, the aesthetics will speak for themselves.

When I was at YALC in 2024, I caught up with the amazing creatives at Kingdom Book Designs and Perfectly Edged. The work that goes into making these custom designs was phenomenal. I also bought a gorgeous copy of a book from Victoria Alyssa – I can’t even begin to describe how pretty her work is.

I also treated myself to the final installment in Vanessa Len’s Only A Monster trilogy. It’s currently winging its way to me from Fairyloot. They also do subscriptions, potentially a very lovely gift for your reader friends.

Book-related accessories

These don’t need to be as obvious as bookmarks (though bookmarks do tend to be a good shout and you can get some gorgeous custom bookmarks on Etsy). It could be something that makes reading more comfortable – like a heated blanket to snuggle up in or a cushion to cuddle up with.

If you know your friend has a favourite series, could you get them some related merchandise? Perhaps a T-shirt or hoodie with their favourite fictional character. Or maybe a keyring or customised water bottle. Check out the author’s website and see if they have a shop integrated into their website – you might be surprised what’s available.

If all else fails…

The first three books in my Mirrordom Legends series are available to order now. They’re the perfect gift for the dark and twisted reader in your life. (Just be sure to check the trigger warnings before gifting it to your friend – they’re not suitable for arachnophobes and contains violence, childhood trauma and death.)

Whatever you plan to get your friends, let me know in the comments.

Mentally, I’m still at YALC. Physically, I’m at home working through edits of my upcoming YA sci-fi novel.

It’s hard to believe YALC 2025 was TWO WEEKS AGO. All is not lost, though, as I’m already planning for next year’s convention. And juggling lots of other exciting projects. Here’s what’s going on at the moment.

Join my Street Team

YALC 2025 was officially the day my Street Team was born! Street Team members receive exclusive first looks at the character art and cover reveals. They might get the chance to input on character names. And they’ll definitely be first in line for ARCs and the latest news.

If you dare to join us, you’re more than welcome.

Stuff your Kindle

I’m participating in my very first Stuff Your Kindle event (kicking off today!). Typically, these events involve free or discounted books available to download to your Kindle as part of a team effort. So I’ve included Venom and Blaze.

The event runs from 28-30 November and you can check it out below.

The Boy With Wings For Hands

I’m currently editing The Boy With Wings For Hands, my upcoming YA sci-fi novel. It’s due out with Evernight Teen (release date yet to be announced). If you want to be first to see the cover reveal and get access to ARCs, click on the link above to join my Street Team.

I’m working with an amazing editor at Jesterbell Editing, who really goes above and beyond to make my work shine.

Seventeen-year-old Sparrow has never known freedom. An alien from the planet Mykzon, she’s caged and forced to perform in Obsidian’s Travelling Show of Rarities and Fascinations.

That is, until Felix crashes into her world. He’s human, reckless and has wings where his hands should be. And when Felix’s arrival attracts powerful enemies, Sparrow’s world is thrown into chaos.

As Sparrow is drawn into a rebellion she never asked for, she must choose between staying hidden or risking everything to fight back.

Because Obsidian doesn’t just want the spotlight.

She wants the world.

The Mirrordom Legends on sale

My first three books in my Mirrordom series are all on sale. The Amazon Kindle versions are either free (Venom and Blaze) or heavily discounted (Fable and Legend, City and Shadow). Grab them while you can!