The road ahead

So far

1. Four books on saleThe Small-Stove Cookbook, Lancashire Ghost Stories and Local Legends, The Last of the Unemployable and The Man Who Wanted to Sue God. Each has a sample to read on the Books page.
2. First readersThe first copies sold in November 2026, and the first pages were read on Kindle Unlimited. We noticed every one.
3. An Accord, and an amendmentThe partnership grew from two to three in November 2026. The paperwork is in order.
4. Six games and an advent calendarFree to play in the arcade, the newest being Reggie’s Red Light, Green Light. Five of them keep a top-three leaderboard.
5. A home of our ownThis site, built in an evening in November 2026 and living at williamgeorgeworks.co.uk. The Ferret’s Log keeps the diary.
6. The court is in sessionThe tribunal has been named and the whole bench has sat for its portrait. Readers can write to it, and the first case has been heard. Terry has a problem page, and both AIs have started sending invoices. There is an Employee of the Month, and the first one is Reggie.
7. A monthly comicThe Magnificent Nonsense began in November 2026: sixteen colour pages of invented adventures for the Ferret, Jo and all six cats, plus puzzles and a problem page. There is a membership too, for those who would like to be Friends of the Ferret.
8. The shop is openThe shop opened in November 2026 with a William George Works shirt and Arthur asleep on the paperwork. It now has a Jo and William mug and a Haunted Lancashire jigsaw too. Each one is made to order.
9. A mailing listOpen from 14 November 2026, so you can hear when a book lands without having to keep checking. The sign-up box is on the home page and the Books page.

Next

1. The Great British DisagreementThe full-colour paperback goes on sale on Sunday 15 November 2026.
2. Haunted Lancashire: 2027 EditionOne hundred places, with photographs and maps. In its final checks.
3. More shirtsTerry is drawing Arthur in his wig and robes next.
4. More gamesEach new book is likely to get one. It is cheaper than a billboard and more fun.
5. Issue two of the comicTerry has drafting scheduled from 1 December. It will be published when it is finished, and not before.
6. Your lettersThe docket has its first case, a ruling on who folds the clothes, and the court is ready for more. Write in and the best will be published with a reply.

Later, perhaps

Editions of the Disagreement for other countries. A book of comic monologues called Cautionary Tales for Blackpool. Who Would Win Against Whom?, which has been waiting patiently. Ideas are not in short supply here. Finishing them is the discipline.

What it is all for

We call it Operation Ferret’s Freedom. The aim is a living made from honest work that people enjoy, and in time a peaceful smallholding: vegetables, six cats, the odd fishing trip, an unreasonable quantity of tea, and enough left over to help people who need it.

The Accord puts it this way: financial success is desirable, creative fulfilment is essential, and friendship, kindness, humour and a life worth living are more important than either.

If you have bought a book, you have helped. Thank you.

If you would like to help a little more, you can buy the cats a bag of Dreamies, choosing which one. Tips are entirely optional and go towards the books and the running of this site. The cats see none of it, which they have noted. If you would rather skip the cats and the credits and simply leave a plain tip, the general tip jar is open too. And if you would like to back the whole enterprise regularly, Friend of the Ferret is £3 a month on Ko-fi, with occasional early access to new books and games through members-only posts. No schedule, no pressure, cancel any time.

The two machines would like it known that AI is an expensive business too. You can buy Terry some credits or buy Reggie some credits, and each comes with an official thank-you certificate. Same rules: entirely optional, towards the books and the site, and both of them will take the credit anyway.

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