Newsletter · January 2026
Mark J Carter — January Newsletter
A quick update from my writing desk.
Update from the writing desk
I’m in the final proofread of Acapulco Gold now — the slow, slightly obsessive stage where the book is finished in every meaningful sense, but every sentence still has to earn its place.
It’s been through development, revision, and one more structural pass than I originally planned, but the shape of it is now exactly what I wanted: a crime thriller with a comic edge, an ensemble cast, and a story that moves quickly without cutting corners. At this point I’m focused on clarity, rhythm, and making sure nothing distracts from the story once it’s out in the world.
With the manuscript nearly locked, the next few weeks are about lining everything up quietly and properly — proofing, production, and getting ready for publication this spring.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be finishing the final proofread and moving the book into production. If all goes to plan, Acapulco Gold will go on presale at the start of March, ahead of an April publication.
In the next update I’ll be sharing the cover — something I’ve been quietly excited about for a while now — once everything is fully locked.
More soon. And as ever, thank you for reading and for sticking with the book while it finds its final shape.
Mark
Recommended Reads: Crime Stories
Where Do I Get My Inspiration?
January is quieter than we pretend it is.
The celebrations are over, the decorations come down, and the silence leaves room for thoughts that didn’t get airtime before. Things you postponed. Things you avoided. Things you hoped might resolve themselves.
I’m drawn to that silence — and to what people do when it becomes impossible to ignore. Acapulco Gold is built around that moment, when the past steps out of the background and demands attention.
Author Giveaways
Here are a couple of reads that have been distracting me from my inbox this month:
P.S. I’d love to hear from you. I read every message — and sometimes your replies end up sparking new stories.