Like Buses
In other words, it's been a busy month
Happy June everyone, finally (here in the UK) we have some sunshine and I’ve been making the most of it having been Here, There and Everywhere.
More on my adventures in a minute. First of all a fanfare for some exciting book news … and it’s not mine!
Perhaps the best part about being in a bookish community and lending a hand in the creation of stories is finally seeing those stories enter the world.
I’m delighted to vicariously share with you books (available and on pre-order) from three absolutely brilliant authors:
First up is Elisabeth Pike with Murmuration, a Young Adult dystopia with a touch of magic.
“Jay is desperate to get off the island to find his mother, but when the adults disappear his only job is to keep everyone alive.
Fee, a mysterious outsider appears, but Jay is sure she’s keeping something from him. When she falls dangerously ill, Jay must decide whether he’s willing to face his biggest fears to save her.”
Congratulations to Elisabeth for this gorgeous debut novel.
Bounding onto the scene earlier this week was Bandit’s Great Escape, by Rachel Rivers Porter, a fun Middle Grade story that animal lovers will enjoy.
“Bandit is a puppy who thinks that the happy days with his friend, 12-year-old Isla, will never end. But they do. Isla and her family move far away and he's left with a strange old lady and her strict rules.
Forming an escape committee with some animal friends, he makes a daring plan to find Isla. But more perils await. Can Bandit use his wits to fight for survival and will the best friends ever be together again?”
This is Rachel’s second novel, her first foray into Middle Grade - and it looks wonderful!
I shouldn’t have favourites, but the third and final book I want to shout about is one I am very fond of, written by an author I am supremely proud of. And just check out this cover:
You can pre-order Son of the Lake, by A.P. Joynson now for release on July 25th .
“When Adrian and Michael meet, it's love at first sight, but the worlds they come from have other ideas. Together they must find a way to bridge the gap between Michael's life in college, with football, homework and being an out gay teen, and Adrian's world of magical creatures, feuding clans and his duty to his people.”
Well done to all the authors, it’s a huge achievement to take a book from idea to finished product, and it’s been my pleasure to be involved.
It’s been a whirlwind month for me, starting with a trip to Oxford for the 2024 J.R.R. Tolkien Lecture on Fantasy Literature at Pembroke College. As you can probably imagine it was mesmerising, inspiring and entertaining. One thing ticked off the bucket list!
That was followed by a fabulous tour of Leicester schools with SDSA as part of their Authors on Tour 2024. I took students in years 5 and 6 through a process of creating their own riddles by way of finding new and interesting ways to describe items and concepts. Some of the riddles were mind-blowingly inventive and clever. In awe!
The month was topped off by The James Reckitt Award, at The Big Malarkey, organised by Hull Schools Library Service and Hull Libraries. Treated like a celeb, and surrounded by the best book-lovers and authors and artists, it was an incredible experience!
Huge congratulations to the fabulous Kimberly Whittam who won the KS3 award with her book Quiet Storm.
Phew! A busy month, and edits are still ongoing for the next book which is coming along nicely. Can wait to tell you all about it!
If you’ve read and enjoyed any of the books I’ve highlighted in this newsletter, do let the authors know by leaving them a review. Self-publishing can be hugely rewarding but is also hard work and a bit of encouragement goes a long way (for trad pubbed too!) I know they would appreciate it. And, if you didn’t know, borrowing the book from your local library (if you can) helps authors too, via the Public Lending Right scheme - yep we get paid per book borrowed, so go ahead and take out all your fave authors books!
See you all soon, with more news, and editing/writing tips, bye!