My 2024 writing adventures
Happy new year to everyone!!
I’m really starting to look forward to 2024 now - despite the fact that my garden has turned into a muddy swamp (precisely how long has it rained for now?) coupled with the fact that my husband has been struck with Covid (again). BUT STILL, there are so many bookish things due to come to fruition in 2024 so I thought I’d share a few highlights with subscribers.
Northern Bookshelf
I’m so excited to have been selected as one of ten Northern writers to take part in New Writing North’s inaugural Northern Bookshelf Live programme. This new scheme aims to connect the best writers with libraries and readers across the North of England - and I’m currently plotting dates in my diary for visits, talks and workshops at libraries in the NE, Yorkshire and beyond! The image below shows the 10 authors and their selected books.
For more about the scheme, click here. I’ll update subscribers with events as they get confirmed…
No me llames ofendidito
My book on mental health stigma and stereotypes, Snowflake, has been translated into Spanish and is being published by Libros Cupula in February - so keep your eyes peeled for No me llames ofendidito: Rompiendo con los estereotipos y el estigma en torno a la salud mental!
I’m not going to pretend to be cool about this because, while my books have been selling limited numbers in other countries, this is the first translation any of my books has enjoyed. So I’m seriously proud of it!
To find out more about the Spanish version click here.
To order an English version, visit Amazon, Waterstones or, my personal favourite indy, Forum Books. (NB: Forum deliver nationally and also stock copies of my fiction books No Worries if Not and The Twenty Seven Club).
Bookbub deals
If you’re an e-book reader who loves a bargain, you’ll be pleased to know I’ve got two featured deals running internationally with BookBub! In January, there will be a special offer on No Worries if Not and then, in February, The Twenty Seven Club e-book will be on offer for just 99p! These offers will be available in the UK, Canada and Australia.
So if you want to get your hands on bargain e-copies you can use this referral link to sign up for all Bookbub’s deals (you can check your favourite genres, etc) and please do give me a follow on there (as I am only just growing my Bookbub profile and it’s a little lonely at present…!)
New writing project
Of course, every writer has some kind of work in progress bubbling away…and while I have a few ongoing, I am mainly focusing my efforts on a new psych thriller with music themes (of course!)
I’m not going to give too much away, but thanks to funding from Arts Council’s Develop Your Creative Practice fund I am LOVING being able to spend quality time researching and being mentored by thriller and crime writers, including Nikki Smith and former detective-turned-author Graham Bartlett. I’m also working with psychology experts, a musician and a charity on the research side of things.
It’s a more ambitious project for me and so far I’m loving it (I was planning to start writing it in January - it’s now the 2nd and I am 5k words in and already feeling immersed in the world). Let’s just hope I write something decent!
Here’s to 2024 and hopefully many more books, events and musings!