Blake’s Top 10 for 2025
I am a bit late getting this out, but a lot happened last year, especially on the personal side of things, so this list is less about my writing projects and more about life in general.
10. Daufuskie Island Marathon: That’s now marathons in 8 states! My running continues to send me on various adventures, places near as far (as you’ll see later in the list). My middle brother also lives in South Carolina, so the trip gave me an opportunity to hang out with him and his family—it’s been too long!
9. Fostering: We fostered several pups this year. And while I’m usually set in my role in the process:
creating a safe and nurturing environment to help pups transition from whatever their prior lives were to finding their fur-ever homes, there was one dog I lost my heart to. Chilly was a big, out-of-control and fearful boi when he came to us, but he left as a very affectionate companion. He greeted life with a joyful exuberance that I wish I could muster on a daily basis.8. Robots on the Moon: The paperback version of this picture book was released in March, just in time for Savannah (the illustrator) and me to do a reading at one of my hometown bookstores—Bound to Happen Books. The fun part: we conscripted her boyfriend (now fiancé) Alek to be the narrator during our reading. And boy, did he have the deep, resonating voice for it.
7. Graphic Novels: I’ve had a few new titles come out this year, but one of my favorite series to write for of late has been Capstone’s History Tipsters, where I can flex my funny bone and add a little comedic flair to the telling of historic events. In Spill the Tea on the U.S. Revolution, I used a boxing ring as the backdrop for the the battle between King George III and General George Washington, and each has his posse of generals.
6. Nemesis: Book 2 in my Pillow-Man series was released into the world. Every hero has a nemesis. Batman has the Joker. Superman, Lex Luther. Sam DeVenoe (aka Pillow-Man) must discover who will fill that role for him. Brock the school bully? Brock’s older brother Luke, who was at the scene of a crime? Or is there some unknown supervillain lurking around his hometown?Also … and this is supper exciting news … book 1 in the series, A Hero Awakens, is now available in audiobook.
5. A Year in Art: Because of a couple international trips, I was able to see some amazing art this year, from visiting the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam to seeing Klimt’s The Kiss at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna. My running adventures may help determine our destinations, but we do our best to to experience the food and beer and culture of the places we visit. While in Europe, we visited museums full of Renoirs, Rembrandts, Rubens, and Raphaels. It was beyond amazing.
4. And More Graphic Novels: Skateboarding and comic books are two of my favorite things. I may have never been much of a skater (and have retired my board), but I’ve written my fair share about the sport—including my first ever published book. Then there are comics … yeah, I have a modest collection of comic books and shelves dedicated some favorite graphic novels. So of course, when given an opportunity to write about these subjects, I jumpe at them, and two of my latest graphic novels are about the inventions of skateboards and comic books.3. London Marathon: My running adventures have now taken us overseas! W
ell, there are many other reasons to visit the UK, like seeing the Tower of London. By the way, I’ve written two books about said tower (that’s what I’m holding in the picture). Aside from the marathon, we had several adventures. I got to drive around on the left side of the road. We visited Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was buried. Hiked around the Peak District and toured the Chatsworth House—the setting for Pride and Prejudice (2005). And also spent some time in Manchester.2. Berlin Marathon: Yes! That’s two international marathons, and I’ve now run 4 of the major marathons. This trip included four cities in three countries: Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, and Vienna. Along with all the good food and beer, the incredible art, and the many amazing sights, revisiting Vienna meant I was able to see some old friends, people I met on my very first trip to Europe during my semester abroad in Poland.
1. Tattoo: It’s been ages since my last tattoo. But last year, I resolved to fix that lapse on my part. I’ve wanted one of Smaug wrapping around my left arm, for sentimental reasons involving The Hobbit, the book that set me on the path to being a reader and writer, and my step-dad who passed away a few years ago. While I had been keeping my eyes out for an artist, it wasn’t until I saw a tattoo of the Eye of Sauron by Alex at Northenbelle Tattoo that I decided to pull the trigger. Now, I am already thinking of my next tat.
And that puts a wrap on 2025. There will be much exciting news in 2026, I’m sure.