Well, I didn’t win the Costa Book Award, which is the first of today’s problems, but at least one of my favourite novels of last year – The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – did, so that’s some consolation. Now before I delve into the dark and murky waters of #WriterProblems, I have to preface… Continue reading #WriterProblems ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Sound the 30 days to launch klaxon!! It’s just T minus 720 hours until my new book, The Story Collector, hits bookshelves and I’ve decided to draw up a helpful list of all the things I should be doing during this final phase of publishery and book launcherism. Panic. I’m particularly good at this and… Continue reading What To Do Before Your Book Launch
When you write books, people are gonna want to ask you stuff. It is very important that you LIE when answering these questions. Lie through your teeth and don’t ever let them find out the truth. As a helpful resource, I’ve put together a mock interview, a mockterview if you will, to guide you through … Continue reading Writers – What Not To Say
So I’m in the kitchen, opening a packet of Chia Seeds I bought in the health shop (because Omega 3, right?) when I notice a rather unusual claim in bold print: ‘Chia seeds, ancient food of the Aztecs.’ And I thought to myself, um…. they died. All of them. It was a wipeout. I’m… Continue reading The Big Sell
There’s something about the start of a new year that always induces a collective existential crisis. We’ve all been allowed to indulge ourselves for about a nanosecond, and now it’s time to overhaul our creaking ship of a life and become better people. TODAY! At this very moment, people are being mowed down by MAMIL’s… Continue reading Every Day Is January 1st
In this episode of 20 questions, I’m delighted to introduce the ‘powerhouse’ that is Lorna Sixsmith (a name that, according to my friend Google, is derived from her occupation as a shoe-smith! Is there anything this woman can’t do?!). Lorna has combined her two passions – farming and writing, to create a series of books… Continue reading 20 Questions ~ Chapter 4
As I strolled through the park the other morning (I say morning, could have been tea-time, but who’s counting) I realised that the life of a writer is really quite similar to that of an old-age pensioner. Don’t switch off! This is a good thing!! Seeing as the public at large like to view the… Continue reading How Being A Writer Can Prepare You For Old Age!
