Exciting news!
My next book The Lifeline comes out in April, but my publisher is running a special competition to give away two proof copies. ‘Proofs’ or ‘ARCs’ - Advanced Reader Copies - are early bound-up editions of the book intended for book reviewers and booksellers. The cover is different to the finished book (scroll to see the gorgeous design for the hardback!) but the words inside are the same. So it would be your chance to read the book before it’s published!
For a chance to win, just follow the link below to enter the draw, by the deadline of midnight on 21st January. Unfortunately, the competition is only open to UK readers. The two winners will be notified by Orion. Good luck!
Introducing the hardback cover of The Lifeline…
I’m delighted to be able to share the hardback cover for my next book The Lifeline! What do you think? I can’t stop looking at it and think it’s going to look especially lovely in real life with all that lovely sparkly gold.
Don’t forget, the book is available to pre-order now via your local bookshop or the link below. Pre-orders are a huge boost to authors - they build buzz for a book that helps its success when it is published. So if you enjoy my books I’d really appreciate it if you considered pre-ordering. And a HUGE thank you to those who already have. Your support for my books means a lot.
What I’m reading
I’ll be honest, I’m struggling with reading at the moment. I read voraciously last year, especially towards the end of the year when I lost two family members and turned to books for escape and comfort. But since turning the year I’ve been struggling to focus on reading.
Instead, I’ve been rewatching Gilmore Girls for about the fifth time and losing myself in the cosy setting but also marvelling at the writing. The dialogue is whipsmart and Paris Geller may be one of my favourite fictional characters of all time. She’s so satisfyingly awful but has moments of vulnerability that break your heart. A masterclass in three-dimensional characters, in my opinion.
Having said I’m not reading much, I did enjoy Enchantment by Katherine May. I read her book Wintering towards the end of last year and it totally changed my perception on winter. I’m actually enjoying the crisp cold days now!
I also just finished The Book Smugglers, the fourth book in the Pages and Co children’s series that I discovered last year and have been racing my way through. I have two left to go and will be gutted once I’ve finished!
Do you have any recommendations for pacy, cosy or escapist reads to get me out of my reading slump?
Want to make 2024 the year you write your novel?
As a reminder or for anyone who doesn’t know - when I’m not writing my own novels I work as a writing coach for The Novelry, helping other people write theirs. I deliver workshops on all sorts of themes to do with writing Up Lit and Romance and also do one-to-one coaching sessions. I’ve already had some brilliant sessions so far this year, helping boost the confidence of nervous writers and working together to make a story idea as strong as it can be.
If you’d like to be coached by me then do check out the courses - I’d love to work with you on your novel!
Writing tip
Going for a walk might be the best thing you can do for your writing today.
This year I’m trying to do much more walking. Walking helps my mental health and good mental health helps my writing. And I come up with my best ideas when I’m out walking.
Often I set an agenda for my walks. If I’m struggling to get under the skin of a particular character I’ll spend the walk thinking about that character in detail, imagining every aspect of their personality and backstory. Or I might challenge myself to come up with an outline for the next three chapters I have to write.
When you’re writing a novel there can be a sense of pressure to be chained to the desk, forcing the words to come. But time away from the screen can be as productive - even more so. I consider my morning walks valuable writing time - even if I don’t write a single word while I’m out!
As always, thanks for reading! I hope your 2024 has gotten off to a good start. Sending love and warm wishes from my home to yours.
I’m reading The Lido right this minute (having read all the others) - the cover follows the one on The Lido well.
I love it, but I also love the water. It would draw me in for sure!