We’ve had a lot of shifts here on the island in the last year. With the final graphic novel out, island life has changed in terms of what might happen – and you’re seeing some of that reflected in stories here on the blog.

We’ve had a lovely influx of islanders – thank you to everyone who has contributed themselves, that’s been wonderful.

Both Steven C Davis and Mark Hayes have become regular contributors, and we’re seeing frequent tales from both Keith Errington and Roz White – a huge thanks to them for getting more involved.

Martin Pearson has been doing a top job keeping The Squid and Teapot going, and I’ve been in the weird position of being the illustrator regularly as well as writing. I am what we’ve got, and I am very open to getting more visual artists involved.

This summer, James Weaslegrease has taken on some of the social media work, covering me for patches I can’t do due to my gallivanting about. You can find Hopeless on Facebook, Twitter and Bluesky. The aim going forwards is to have Weaslegrease Wednesdays where James is unleashed upon these sites to do whatever strange things he feels compelled to do. Although I note with interest that he’s been tone-matching so well that it might not have been obvious when it was him, and when it was me.

Hopeless continues to exist because it’s a community, and because enough people care about it to want to keep it going. If you’re ever tempted to have a go, please do get in touch and jump in. The water is cold, but the tentacles are lovely.