publishing · writing

Why your debut novel isn’t your only chance at success

Today, in publishing terms, is Super Thursday. There are almost 600 books being published, which is good news for readers, but scary for authors because of the sheer amount of perceived competition. Combined with this, 2020 has of course been an incredibly tough year for debut authors, as the world has battled through months of… Continue reading Why your debut novel isn’t your only chance at success

editorial · publishing · strategy

What it’s really like to change publisher partway through your career

When you're first starting out as an author, all you want is to get a publishing deal. I know - I've been there! But what happens if, a few books down the line, you decide you need a change? There are a myriad of reasons why an author might move publisher partway through their career… Continue reading What it’s really like to change publisher partway through your career

a day in the life of · reading · writing

Writing in a time of Covid

I'm writing this sat at my kitchen table, which is now where I spend the vast majority of my time. Occasionally, I move to the sofa, and once a day I go outside - into the streets of North London, with their shuttered up shops, their chalked warning signs, and their strange silence that descends… Continue reading Writing in a time of Covid

editorial · events · Publicity · publishing · writing

Book events in 2020

This year I am looking forward to speaking at several literary events and festivals, and have listed them all here in case anybody wants to come along (also for myself, so that I don't forget to go...) Guernsey Literary Festival 2020: 2nd May, Getting Published: a panel discussion. This will run from 4-5pm and will… Continue reading Book events in 2020

editorial · psychological thriller · publishing · reading · writing

Introducing…The Babysitter

This week I revealed the cover of my third book, The Babysitter, over on Twitter and have had such a lovely response! Thank you so much to everybody who has shared it, it really does mean the world. This is actually my favourite jacket of my three novels - designed by the brilliant Anna Sikorska… Continue reading Introducing…The Babysitter

jobs · publishing · strategy

Impostor Syndrome in writing

I'm not a real writer. That's the thought that goes through my mind probably on a daily basis, and ramps up even more whenever I'm doing anything around publication - events, emails, writing, and whenever I respond to readers. I genuinely feel like I've somehow conned people into thinking I can write, and managed to… Continue reading Impostor Syndrome in writing

events · Publicity · publishing

Upcoming book events for 2019

Hello everybody! Sorry for the slight hiatus, I just started a new job working at Orion and the last six weeks have been somewhat full-on! Anyway, I'm very excited to be taking part in some events in May and the summer, and would love to see you there if you're interested. Details below... May 10th,… Continue reading Upcoming book events for 2019

jobs · Publicity and Marketing · publishing · strategy · writing

Some of the best people to follow on Twitter in the book world

This is a long subject line but there are hundreds of brilliant bookish people to follow on Twitter so I wanted to be clear that these are only 'some' of them! I know not everyone is on Twitter and that it can be seen as a negative place BUT in my experience if you just… Continue reading Some of the best people to follow on Twitter in the book world

editorial · publishing · writing

Pitch your book to an editor!

Happy Sunday everyone! Just a quick note to say that myself and my brilliant editor Charlotte Mursell (who works at HQ Stories, HarperCollins) are going to be taking part in a pitching session at Retreats For You writing retreat down in Sheepwash, Devon, on the weekend of 9th/10th March 2019. We will be giving advice on… Continue reading Pitch your book to an editor!

events · psychological thriller · writing

Writing a Psychological Thriller

I did a workshop a couple of weeks ago at the lovely Chiswick Book Festival (which if you've never been I'd really recommend, it happens every September I think and there's a huge range of brilliant talks - everything from cookery demonstrations to author panels and discussions) - anyway, my workshop was on how to… Continue reading Writing a Psychological Thriller

editorial · events · Publicity · publishing · writing

Upcoming book events!

I am speaking at a couple of literary festivals this summer which I'm very excited about! I am also running a workshop on writing a psychological thriller on September 15th at the Chiswick Book Festival, so if you think you have a novel in you, please do come along! Tickets here (booking advisable). For those… Continue reading Upcoming book events!