Darren Simpson

It'll be worth the wait, Jacqui!

I've been lucky enough to read an early copy of @nicolapenfold.bsky.social's #AndNowWeRun. 🎉 This book really showcases the power and complexity of nature - and of people, too! For all its brevity, this is a novel brimming with peril, thrills and warmth. 🏞 Thank you to @littletigeruk.bsky.social! 🙏

Yep. Shows how true to his voice the writing is. 🤓

Very late to the party but I've finally read Bob Mortimer's #TheSatsumaComplex. It's very very funny - naturally - but there's plenty of peril, mystery and romance on offer too. Hard not to read it in Bob Mortimer's voice, but that's A Good Thing. Genuinely had me guffawing out loud in places. 🍊

Great news for your ears: #THIRST is out on audiobook! 🎉 Thanks to @wfhowes.bsky.social for making this happen, and thanks also to Ben Allen for his fab reading of the novel; he captures Maimsbury's atmosphere so well.🩸 You can stream or download #THIRST from all the usual places. 👍

It's been a week of ups and downs, but the most soaring of those ups was signing a NEW BOOK DEAL! 🤓 Can't say much just yet, so soz for the vague-post. But it won't be long before things are officially announced. 🙏

I've sensed a wry streak of humour in even @aptshadow.bsky.social's loftiest sci-fi novels, and this comes to the fore in #ServiceModel, a post-apocalyptic robot odyssey with shades of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. It's farcical, absurd, satirical, deeply philosophical and really good fun!

Ta, Jonathan!

Great news for #THIRST by @darrensimpson44.bsky.social

You can listen to or watch my interview with Darren about this book and the folklore of rivers at

www.thefolklorepodcast.com/episode-184....

Getting folk horror to 'em young!

Over the moon to say that #THIRST has been shortlisted for the 12+ @sparkbookaward.bsky.social! 🥳 These awards are voted for by children and teens across a ton of schools, so I can't wait for young readers to get stuck into #THIRST and all the other fab titles. 📚 Congrats to all the shortlistees! 👋

Just seen my #PLR statement. 🤩 It lifts my heart to think of all the folk taking my books out from libraries. ♥️ Thanks to every single person who's loaned out a Darren Simpson novel, and to PLR for turning these loans into the pennies that help to me write yet more books! We're all winners here. 🎉

Jack Mackay's #GLOAM proved to be a welcome dose of wickedness. It's gleefully creepy and full of unsettling imagery, while also tackling themes of family, legacy and loss in a very moving way. Fab illustrations by Ben Joel Price too. See below for for one of my faves. 👌

Thanks to the wonderful folk at @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social for including #THIRST in their Year 9 recommended reading list for teens aged 13-14! 🤓🙏 Do check out @schoolreadinglist.bsky.socian's awesome (and very discerning, naturally) resources at schoolreadinglist.co.uk

Took the littlun to @waterstones.bsky.social Nottingham to spend some money he got for Christmas and was chuffed to see #THIRST on display. Thanks so much to the staff on this extraordinary top floor dedicated to YA and manga. Signed copies of #THIRST are available there right now! #signedbooks

Details of the event as listed in the main body on a mosaic background

For our first online talk of 2026 we are hosting Dr Rob Symmons from @romanpalace.bsky.social who will be discussing the incredible archaeological finds and history of the site, including folklore-filled mosaics!

Thursday 15 Jan, 8pm via Zoom

Tickets £5 + booking fee from

bit.ly/flaevents

Just a quickie to wish you all the best for the new year. 🎉 Thanks for all the amazing support you've given me and #THIRST over 2025. ♥️ I'll make it up to you with something special for 2026... 🤫

The cover of THIRST by Darren Simpson on an ereader.

I've just managed to finish reading this gripping, dripping middle grade folk horror by #NottsKidLit author @darrensimpson44.bsky.social before the year was out!

Like THE WICKER MAN meets SWAMP THING, I would not recommend reading it in the bath.

Thanks, Jonathan! Your post really made me chuckle. Happy New Year!

#MotherNaked by @glenjamesbrown.bsky.social is one of the best books I've ever read. It's smart, poetic, bawdy, satirical and - for all its medieval trappings - contemporary and relevant. And Brown is as wily in his storytelling as Mother Naked himself. A novel I'll be revisiting, for sure.

An excellent start to the hols with #WrittenOnTheBody by Jeanette Winterson. It's romantic, moving, subversive, beautifully structured and genuinely hilarious. And apparently written at Ruth Rendell's pad!

I'm running a big old #GIVEAWAY on Instagram. 🎉 To win a signed and dedicated copy of #THIRST plus a bookmark and some folksy wildflower seeds, head to my Insta profile (darrensimpson44) and find the pinned giveaway post. Good luck!

Happy Friday!

I had such a fun time talking river lore, folk horror and #THIRST with @folklorepod.bsky.social (a podcast well worth your time). This episode is now available on YouTube and wherever you stream your podcasts. Features a fantastic track from @lunatraktors.bsky.social.👌 @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social

A brilliant podcasts is chatting with a brilliant writer, in the shape of @darrensimpson44.bsky.social. Keep your ears peeled for this one. #KidLit #KidLitUK

Thank you, Peter. This was a lot of fun!

Thanks for having me on your wonderful podcast, Mark. Was a pleasure to chat, and I loved your additional river lore.

This'll be out today! Watch this space...

Humble Book Bundle: Adrian Tchaikovsky's Epic Fantasy by Macmillan Fantasy fans won’t want to miss this Adrian Tchaikovsky bundle, featuring the Shadows of the Apt series and more! Every purchase supports Cancer Research UK!

Always meant to catch up with @aptshadow.bsky.social back catalogue and here's a perfect way that also helps charity

www.humblebundle.com/books/adrian...

A tad late to this, but just spotted that #THIRST was an Ousedale School Book of the Week! 🎉 Thank you to all at Ousedale. 🙏🩸 @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social