Today is the publication day of my lovely historical fiction novel, SWIM.

I am SO proud of this book and am thrilled it's in the world!

It's a funny one though, when you get to a publication day, because there's all this fanfare online and in the real world...nothing... unless you count the cheeky Costa I treated myself to this morning.

I think it's reflective of being an author in 2024. Sure, this is my second novel. Sure, it's selling well (it is!! I'm thrilled), but also, on with the next thing. There's no time to catch your breath and enjoy what you've achieved because there's....

Social media content to create, post and engage with
PR and publicity to issue (even with a publisher it's on the author to do a lot of the hard work)
Words to get down for the next book
Plans to be made for writing retreats and upcoming writing talks
Tidying up your own website
And...writing a blog because it's been eight months since your last one!!

Still, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Was thrilled to be featured in Karen King's blog, go here for the full interview...

Thrilled to be able to say my novella has now sold over 1000 copies, and not just that - it's gone WORLDWIDE!

I have readers in the US, UK, Brazil, Mexico, India, Poland, Sweden, France and on and on... I'm thrilled and a tiny bit overwhelmed with how Secret Santa has been received, but mostly I'm just super proud.

This novella was a fun thing to do last Christmas and it's just wonderful how it's resonated. 

Looking forward to launching Secret Valentine in late January 2024. 

Thrilled to say my debut novel, Star Survivor is set to be published next year by The Book Guild.
The official announcement is here but below is the gist of it - 
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A for Authors Agency are delighted to announce that Star Survivor, the debut novel by Lisa Brace has been acquired by The Book Guild for publication in March 2024.
Star Survivor is an adventure-packed story centred on four celebrities who agree to take part in a world renowned reality show set in the South Pacific.
However, when a storm takes place and all four are left on a real deserted island without cameras, a means of escape or more importantly their phones, they have to learn to survive on more than some miniatures and Maltesers.
Meanwhile as the world and the press clamour for the missing four, the viewing figures are rocketing, but the show producer is in no rush to find them.
Lisa was compelled to write Star Survivor after a particularly lucid dream where Simon Cowell sat on a beach with her and told her the whole story over cocktails.
She said: “I’m beyond thrilled that The Book Guild are as passionate about Star Survivor as I am and can’t wait to see where they take my novel to.”
Annette Crossland said: “As soon as I read Star Survivor I absolutely loved it.  Think I’m A Celebrity meets Lost meets Love Island, only in my opinion this is a lot more fun!”
The Book Guild said: “We are delighted to be publishing this addictive and laugh-out-loud rom-com, with an unlikely and endearing group of friends at its heart.”
All press enquiries to Sabine Edwards [email protected]
All other enquiries to [email protected]

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I'm so excited for this to come out!! 

It's that time of the month again! 

Time to dig into the latest Lost Lady newsletter here.

I must admit, I think some people may have heard of this one, but it'll be interesting finding out!

Oh, and there's a chance to pre-order my Christmas novella! Yes, yes, I know there's a heatwave...

Thrilled to say my latest newsletter is out, and in it is my lady of the month, Marianne North.

WHO is Marianne North?

Well, I'm glad you asked!

You can take a read all about her here and if you want to hear more from me, sign up to my monthly newsletter via the form on the homepage.

Thank you for coming to read a little more about my woman of the month, Marie Marvingt. 

If you've found your way here from my newsletter, thanks for coming! If you've discovered this from elsewhere, do feel free to sign up to my newsletter for more incredible women's stories.

Marie Marvingt

By now we know that not only was Marie an incredible pilot, she was also an accomplished sportswoman.

Air ambulances

Nowadays we wouldn't give much thought to a plane or helicopter flying overhead, bringing people medical care. But back in 1910 it was at Marie's instigation that the French government introduced fixed wing airplanes as air ambulances.

For the rest of her, very long, life, Marie would give talks and conferences around the necessity of air ambulances, giving advice, raising money and training female pilots to ensure they would be used.

Military operations

We know that Marie is audacious - how else would she have competed in the Tour de France?
But how about this... in  WW1 she disguised herself as a man and served on the front lines as a Chasseur 2ième Classe (Soldier, 2nd Class) in the 42ième Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (42nd Battalion of Foot Soldiers).

She was discovered and sent home but later participated in military operations with the Italian 3º Reggimento Alpini (3rd Regiment of Alpine Troops) in the Italian Dolomites.

In 1915 Marie became the first woman to fly combat missions, when she flew bombing missions over German-held territory. She received the Croix de guerre (Military Cross) for her aerial bombing of a German military base in Metz.

Between the two world wars she worked as a journalist, war correspondent, and medical officer with French Forces in North Africa. 
In World War II, she resumed work as a Red Cross nurse with the rank of corporal, she continued her promotion of the ambulance-airplane, and she founded and maintained a home for wounded aviators.

She also fought in the Resistance - which meant she was given another medal to add to her collection which demonstrated her exceptional contributions.

Life after life

Marie lived until she was 88 - having renewed her pilot's license at 80. She lives on in many ways in France, with her name attached to numerous places such as roads, gymnasiums and flight schools. 

There's also quite a few awards given out every year in her name - though I suspect there won't be anyone else out there who'll manage quite as many medals as she achieved.

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I've launched a newsletter, it's called The Lost Lady Library and is all about amazing women who haven't been celebrated enough!

You can see the first one here, and you can sign up via the form on the homepage.

If you have any Lost Ladies stories, let me know!

Remember when we all had to stay at home and go to events 'online'? Remember when we all enthused about Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp and briefly House Party? Remember when we all thought it hilariously fun to only get dressed up on the top half, staying in our PJ bottoms?
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Yeah, it sucked didn't it? For all the times we tried to tell ourselves it was exactly the same as IRL, and made a good replacement, for all the moments we raved about how we were saving money by not travelling on the train, all easily forgotten when you go to a real. life. event.

This week I went to not one, but TWO Real Life Events, and woah they were good. A bit like Tulleys Shocktober, scary but good.

Now, this might come as a shock, but us writer types generally (though not everyone), GENERALLY  don't like to leave our cosy writing caves. We're safe here. With our blankets, our copious cups of tea and the absolute lack of having to make any small talk. So, put us in a room where - gasp - it's full of strangers, and we generally want to run a mile. But, if pushed, cajoled, coaxed and cosseted out of hibernation, we can make quite a good fist of being out in the wild/public.
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This week I visited the Society of Authors for their first IRL new member's lunch in two years. I was so sure I wouldn't be able to make small talk with this room of, quite frankly, dauntingly professional people, but, when I arrived the staff went to a huge amount of trouble to make sure we were all kept happy AND all of us managed to hold meaningful conversations with people. I was thrilled to talk to Steve Keogh, who told me of his interview on This Morning (jealous!), and Jane Peyton who spoke about her School of Booze (sign me up for that curriculum), not to mention the very talented Yvonne Bailey-Smith. So many talented people, it was humbling and inspiring to share a space.

The very next day, I had to ditch the slippers in favour of some strappy heels and leave the hoody at home, as I donned a summer frock to attend the Joffe (rhymes with coffee) Books spring party at The Royal Overseas Club (good mojitos). I was the very wonderful Daisy White's plus one at this brilliant event where I got to swoon at the company of uber talented authors, publishers, agents and designers.

One of the things which really resonated with me this week was how passionate everyone is in the publishing industry. No matter what role they play in it, there's a mentality of  'all for one and one for all', which feels comforting and strengthening at the same time. Everyone working towards the same goal.

It comes in a week of articles on burnout in the industry, which I hope will be met with solutions rather than anger, because every single one of these people who work on the books we all consume, work so hard they deserve medals,  not burnout.

I feel refreshed having visited two whole events in two days...and revved up to keep creating for the industry (just need to dig out my slippers again).

Near the end of last year, whilst doing a million and one other things (like everyone else), my friend Daisy asked if I was free for a coffee.

I'm a writer, so I'm always free for a coffee. Any excuse to walk away from the computer.

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We met in a cafe and she asked me if I'd be interested in partnering with her on her latest venture, Sussex Writing Retreats. 

It didn't take long for me to jump up and say yes (I'd have hugged her if Covid had allowed). An excuse to hang out with authors, both established and debut, listen to experts from all over the writing world including film, TV and literature AND I'd get paid?

It was a no brainer. 

Our first retreat is in April and I cannot wait to meet the authors coming to see us. I'll be offering advice on PR, marketing and social media, whilst also giving them an insight into my own journey to being a published author.

The fabulous Daisy will be guiding all of us as she's published ten books so far (and has many more in the works!). It'll be a fun time and I can't wait!

There are three more planned too. If you're interested, visit Daisy's site for info and to book 

Ends