As the year draws to a close, it’s the time when I — and no doubt countless others — take stock of the year past.
For me, 2025, like 2024 before it, will forever be the most memorable, given these were the years I became a father to my two boys.
Crazy to think that only last year Master Liam was born.
Now he’s nearly got a full set of teeth, giving us several hours of sleep each night (which long-time Legionnaires will know was not the case), and is running around with a degree of confidence that makes me think he’s always been on two feet.
Where does the time go?
Then this September, God blessed us with a second son, Master Nathan.
He’s a very different kind of baby compared to his older brother, and certainly not without his challenges, but so far, Laura and I cannot complain.
We’re incredibly lucky to have them.
As I am to have Lady Laura.
Not only did she magnificently deliver both boys without a single drop of pain medication, but without her…
There would be no D.J.J. Watson.
She was the one who encouraged me to pick up the pen and publish my work, she kept pushing me forward when I wanted to slow down.
So everything achieved here was achieved together.
We successfully released the fifth instalment of The Divided Region, which clocked in at more than double the length of the largest book in the series to date — currently Exiled…
We rebranded the entire series and covers in preparation for the long-awaited paperback editions…
We produced the audiobook versions of the stories, although there’s still work left to be done before The Great Betrayal is released…
We launched the audiobooks (with ads) on YouTube strictly as an anti-piracy measure, and Exiled alone has clocked in over 100,000 views on its own, with a slew of gushing comments…
We released Tiny Epics: Vol. 1, my collection of short stories, in both ebook and audiobook formats.
And, finally, we sent out at least 5 emails per week (bar one week) throughout the year, clocking in at an impressive 130,000 words.
So yeah, 2025 has been one heck of a year to say the least, and one I’ll certainly remember for a myriad of wonderful reasons. However, these closing thoughts wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging you, my faithful Legionnaire.
Whether you’ve only just arrived in this deranged sanctuary of ours, or you’ve been here for many months or years…
I appreciate you, truly.
Yes, I play the irreverent Overlord and Saviour with a heart as warm as an Arctic stone, but much of that is showmanship (utter a word of this to anyone else and I shall see that Lyara pays you a visit).
Gratitude very much underpins everything we do here at Watson HQ.
So to all of you who’ve read or listened to my stories, suffered through these emails, and kindly left reviews for my work…
Thank you.
I do not know what 2026 will bring, but my intention remains the same as it has for the years preceding it:
To bring as many smiles, gasps, and momentary pauses as the big man upstairs allows.
With that, I bid you a fond and sober entry into the new year.
See you on the flip side.
DJJW