I’ve been really lax with posting any updates on my writing, which is all on me as I’ve just prioritised other things! However, that being said, I’m writing this now, so here’s a status update on my various writing projects, as of Sept 2026.
The Turned series
After the release of The Sins of Steel and Shadow (Book I of the Turned) in April of 2025, I was keen to keep momentum with the series as I really didn’t want to fall victim to the infamous “unfinished series” syndrome. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case, but I will say that—now that I’m writing a series—I can fully understand why some writers fall by the wayside. It’s a lot.
However, The Ruin of Rage and Reckonings (Book II of the Turned) is all set for its release next month (Oct 2026). It has been a real labour of love, and is probably one of the trickiest books I’ve tackled (see this article on writing the dreaded “second in the series”).
It’s also one of the most ambitious stories that I’ve ever set about telling. At 715 pages (paperback, 5×8″), it’s by far the longest book I’ve ever published. That’s primarily because there are three POVs in this book, including two recurring characters from TSOSAS and a brand new one (who I loved writing). The world gets bigger, the action gets more furious, and our cast of characters are really put through their paces in the latest instalment. I’m incredibly proud of this series and am excited to get the second book out there!
Both books are available wherever good books are sold, you can find the Amazon links for them both (including a preorder of TRORAR) below:
What about book III?
I’m glad you asked! Book III of the Turned will be the final entry into the series, making it my first ever published trilogy! I have a title and a solid idea of how the story will pan out, but I’m keeping both close to my chest for the time being. In terms of progress, I’m currently writing the first draft, so you can expect the final book in the trilogy to hit the shelves in 2028.
The Hunter’s Lament
My 2023, gritty fantasy debut, The Hunter’s Lament developed quite a nice little following as readers engaged with my first published work in a very positive way. So much so that I’ve decided to re-release the story!
It’s important to note that this is not a new edition. The only edits being made to the writing are copy-edits that slipped through the cracks the first time around — these amount to <5% of the total text being updated. It will, however, be given a brand new cover design, as I hope to attract more readers to join Sweet and his crew on their most dangerous hunt yet!
Hardback edition
There will, however, be a new edition of The Hunter’s Lament available. This is because I am publishing my first ever hardback (clothbound with a removable, printed dust jacket)! I’m very excited to get the new artwork in my hands and to start seeing it hit the shelves!
The updated paperback, ebook, and the new hardcover, will go on sale in the Spring of 2027. So if you have a particular affinity for the current cover design, or you just want to get your hands on a piece of my publishing history, go and grab a copy now, before the big switch!
A Bitter Sweet novella
On top of the re-release, I’ll also be publishing my first ever novella at the same time!
Clocking-in at 150 pages, this is a fast-paced, self-contained story set some years before the events of The Hunter’s Lament. It does, however, feature Sweet and the gang. Readers won’t need to read The Hunter’s Lament to find joy in this story, and it might even serve as a nice taster for the full-length novel itself.
This book was an idea that I’ve been kicking around for a while now and I finally found the time to write and edit it in the way that it deserves. It’s another one that I’m really excited to get out there!
Other projects
Because apparently I’m not busy enough, it’s also worth pointing out that I have another very exciting—but very secret—writing project in the works!
Now that I’m nearing the completion of my first ever series, I’ve come to realise that my true passion for writing actually lies in standalone novels. That may change, of course, but right now it’s what I’m really keen to return to (after I’ve concluded The Turned trilogy, of course!)
So I am embarking on another new standalone novel. It will still be in the gritty fantasy genre, and still housed under my Broken Hilt Publishing imprint. I don’t want to reveal much more right now, but if you’re a fan of Joe Abercrombie’s First Law series, Scott Lynch’s The Gentlemen Bastards sequence, and Nicholas Eames’ Kings of the Wyld, then I think this one will be for you!
That’s it for my Sept 2026 writing update. If you have any questions please give me a shout, I’d be happy to answer ’em!
📚✌🏻SP
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Book One of the TURNED
The Sins of Steel and Shadow
Hated and reviled by humans and vampyrs alike, every day for a Turned is a deadly struggle. But when Bail is offered the chance of a lifetime, there’s much more at stake than just his survival.
The Turned series is a fast-paced, character-led, gritty fantasy saga for fans of Joe Abercrombie or Scott Lynch.
Steve Pannett is an author and designer based in Yorkshire, UK.
He writes primarily in the fantasy genre, combining character-led storytelling with epic, gritty world-building to create dark tales with plenty of action and lots of twists along the way.
He has self-published multiple books and is active online.
