One writerly question, one answer, one minute to read! Here we go…How important is the setting of a novel? Nothing evokes the readers imagination than picturing not just what your characters are doing and saying, but where they are. Characters floating in a bland background is just boring! We want to know where they are and what they’re seeing and feeling. It all helps to create a world...
Hey, folks, it’s time to ask the editor! I’ve compiled a list of questions and the lovely Abigail Fenton, Editorial Director at HarperCollins, HQ Digital, has answered them. Read on to find out more about the work of, and some top tips from, one of the best editors in the business! As the world gets into a new normal with the easing of lockdown, you might be thinking of submitting that book you...
I know it’s still only August, but us bookworms like to plan our reading don’t we? And if you’re like me, even this so summer hasn’t been great, I’m even more excited for autumn when the leaves change colour and I can snuggle up under a blanket with the fire on, reading. So here’s my top picks for autumn. Don’t worry about there not being many Christmas books listed here, I’m going to do a...
Treat yourself to a glorious novel full of food, sunshine, friendship and love! Things haven’t always been straightforward in Poppy’s life but her dreams are finally within her reach. She’s moving into a cottage in beautiful Nightingale Square, close to the local community garden, where she can indulge her passion for making preserves and pickles. She may not have the best relationship with...
One writerly question, one answer, one minute to read! Here we go…Are Twitter pitches worth it? In my opinion, one hundred percent yes! Twitter pitches are a fabulous way to get your name out there and land a book deal – it’s what I did! I entered a Twitter pitch for what became Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage shortly after HQ Digital started up. They were running it through July and one...
Hey, folks, it’s time to ask the editor! I’ve compiled a list of questions and the lovely Abigail Fenton, Editorial Director at HarperCollins, HQ Digital, has answered them. Read on to find out more about the work of, and some top tips from, one of the best editors in the business! This month I thought we’d get a little bit personal! We all love a little bit of behind the scenes action, don’t we...
Book bloggers are so influential in the book world and do so much work to share their love of books. Let’s hear a shout out for some of my faves! Love the Smell of a Book Lovethesmellofabook.wordpress.com @kelmason_ Kelly who runs Love the Smell of a Book is just one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. She loves books and is passionate about spreading the book love. Follow her blog for...
Two weeks. One unforgettable trip to Corfu. A chance to change her life. Becky Rose has just landed her dream job house-sitting at a top-end villa on the island of Corfu. What could be better than two weeks laying by an infinity pool overlooking the gorgeous Ionian waters while mending her broken heart. Elias Mardas is travelling back to Corfu on business whilst dealing with his own personal...
Note to self: don’t sleep with your flatmate after a curry and three bottles of wine… especially if he’s secretly in love with you and wants you to meet his mum. Cat Parsons is on the run. She doesn’t do relationships. After ten years of singlehood even the hint of the ‘L’ word is enough to get Cat packing her bags and booking herself onto a two-week holiday. A European bus tour feels like a...
One writerly question, one answer, one minute to read! Here we go…My story keeps getting rejected. Any tips for getting over it? First of all, every writer needs to accept that rejection is going to happen! It’s not always that something is wrong with your story (though if you’re told that, do take note!). Sometimes it’s that an agent or publisher has already signed something similar, or...
Hey, folks, it’s time to ask the editor! I’ve compiled a list of questions and the lovely Abigail Fenton, Editorial Director at HarperCollins, HQ Digital, has answered them. Read on to find out more about the work of, and some top tips, from one of the best editors in the business! I thought today’s question would be interesting given the whole Coronavirus/lockdown/pandemic thing and the literary...
I have to say, I am extremely happy that it’s publication day for Summer Strawberries at Swallowtail Bay! The main reason is that the first draft was so hard to write and ultimately, a bit pants, but thanks to my fab editor at HQ Digital, Sarah Goodey, it’s become one of the books I am most proud of. I absolutely love this story now and it’s all because of Sarah’s amazing editorial advice. Some...
The first thing you need to know about me is, I like gin. Lots and lots of gin.
I live in the South East of England in a lovely little town by the sea and spend my time working, running around after my kids, walking our King Charles Spaniel, Wotsit, and writing!
I love history and have a Master’s degree, but have also been lucky enough to work in various castles and museums over the years. I’ve yet to get one of them into a story though – I really must try harder!