July Newsletter from J-J Murray

🐾🐾🐾🐾

J-J Murray 🐾

Newsletter #8  ·  July 2026

 

Hello lovely readers. Book 4 is about to spring into action…

 📚 The BIG News: Book 4 is here!

Can you believe we're already halfway through 2026?! I feel like I blinked and suddenly it's July, the garden is in full bloom, my giant cup of tea is steaming away beside me and I have the most exciting news to share with you. Seriously. This one is BIG. Pull up a chair. You're going to want to read every word. 🐱

🌟 What I've Been Up To

It's been a wonderfully busy few months behind the scenes and I'm sorry I haven't written earlier, but I've been deep in writing, formatting and publishing mode! You know how it is when Fang & Bang just won't let you put the pen down? Well, they've been particularly demanding lately, and honestly, I'm not complaining one bit.

I've also been out visiting some wonderful schools, bringing Fang & Bang to life for the most brilliant young readers. The energy in those classrooms is just incredible; there really is nothing quite like seeing a child's face light up the moment a story grabs hold of them. It's why I do all of this. If you'd love to have me visit your school, do get in touch via the contact page; I would absolutely love to come along!

And to those of you following along on Instagram and TikTok, thank you so much for all the love and support. Your messages and comments genuinely keep me going on the days when the words and the technology are feeling a little stubborn. You are the best community an author could ask for. 🧡

📚 The BIG News: Book 4 is here!

Right. I can barely type this without doing a little happy dance...

🎉 Book 4 in the Fang & Bang and the Midnight Mouse series is officially launching!

The Call From The Lake District is a very special book to me. It is a love letter to the extraordinary Beatrix Potter, whose 160th birthday falls this summer. Most of us know her as the creator of Peter Rabbit, but being an author was just one of her many remarkable talents. She was also a pioneering conservationist, a skilled scientific illustrator and a visionary farmer; all of this in an age when women were positively discouraged from using their brains and talent. She was, quite simply, extraordinary, and I wanted this book to shine a light on just how much she achieved. I hope Fang & Bang's adventure in the Lake District will introduce a whole new generation of young readers to this incredible woman, and perhaps inspire a few curious grown-ups to find out more too. 🌿

Fang & Bang arrive in the Lake District in the most dramatic fashion imaginable, and from the very first page, Katie's illustrations absolutely carry you there. The rolling fells, the dry-stone walls, the cosy farmhouse, it all feels so real and so alive. I am so proud of what she has created.

📅 Three Special Launches: Save the Dates!

This book gets not one, not two, but THREE launches, and each one is extra special. Mark your diaries! 📌

1

📱 eBook: 28th July 2026

What better day to launch than on Beatrix Potter's 160th birthday. A little nod to the grande dame of children's books, from one cat-loving author to another! The eBook will be available to download from 28th July, the perfect summer read.

2

📖 Paperback: September 2026

The paperback edition arrives in September, just in time for the new school year. A great addition to any bookshelf, classroom or bedtime routine. 🍂

3

🎄 Hardback: November 2026

The gorgeous hardback edition drops in November, perfectly timed for Christmas wish lists! If you know a little one (or a big one!) who loves Fang & Bang, this will make the most wonderful gift under the tree. 🎁

👉  Pre-Order Now  —  https://books2read.com/u/4j975l

🔤 A Thoughtful Touch: Lexend Font

Something I'm especially proud of with Book 4...

...is that it is being published in Lexend, a font specifically designed to reduce visual stress and make reading easier for everyone, including children who find reading more challenging, and adults too. Reading should be joyful and accessible for every child, and this feels like a small but meaningful step in the right direction. I am also working on going back through Books 1, 2 and 3 to restyle them in Lexend too, so that the whole series feels consistent and as inclusive as possible. Watch this space! 👀

🐾 Calling All ARC Readers!

No spoilers from me! But if you'd like to find out whether Midnight Mouse has really been captured... sign up as an ARC reader below. 🐭

Now here's where YOU come in, and trust me, this bit is exciting.

I am looking for ARC (Advance Review Copy) readers for Book 4! That means you get to read the new book before anyone else, in exchange for leaving an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads when it launches.

First look, no cost, just your wonderful honest thoughts in return.

ARC readers make such a difference to authors like me, and I would be over the moon to have some of you on board.

What you'll get:

• An early digital copy of Book 4 before the official launch date 📖 • That warm, fuzzy feeling of being part of something special 🐱 • A HUGE thank you from me, and from Fang & Bang, obviously! What I ask in return:

• An honest review posted on Amazon and/or Goodreads around launch day • That's genuinely it! 🙏 Spots are limited, so please do grab one while you can!

✨  Sign Up as an ARC Reader via my email and I'll send you free copy of Book 4!

• hello@jjmurrayauthor.com  

📖 Have You Got All Three Books?

If you're new here, welcome! 🎉 Here's the Fang & Bang and the Midnight Mouse series so far, all available on Amazon, perfect for little readers aged 4-8 (and a secret hit with grown-ups too! 😄):

Book 1 The Call From 10 Downing Street

Book 2 The Call From Buckingham Palace 🏅 Gold Literary Titan

Book 3 The Christmas Call 🏅 Gold Literary Titan

Shop the Series on Amazon  —  https://geni.us/fangbang

Thank you, as always, for being part of this little corner of the world with me. Whether you've been here from the very beginning or you've only just discovered Fang & Bang, I am so glad you're here.

Don't forget to sign up as an ARC reader if you fancy an early read of Book 4, keep your eyes peeled for that eBook dropping on 28th July, and I'll be back with more updates very soon!

Sending you all the paw prints and good vibes,

J-J 🐾☕

P.S. ARC spots are limited, grab yours before they go! 

🐾 🐾 🐾

---

Check out our site