https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-a-bestseller-tickets-1992348551149​Ever said “I’d love to write a book one day”? This could be the day you actually start.
Aspiring authors are being invited to spend a day turning their book idea into a workable plan at How To Write A Bestseller, an in-person writing workshop led by bestselling authors D.E. White and Lisa Brace.
Taking place in Horsham on September 11th 2026, the practical, hands-on workshop is designed for anyone who has a book idea but isn’t sure what to do with it – whether they’re writing their first novel or have already started and need help getting their story on track.
There’s no sitting back and listening all day. Bring your idea, your laptop or pen and paper, and get writing.
D.E. White and Lisa Brace bring more than 30 years of combined experience in writing, publishing and promotion, and will guide participants through a simple, easy-to-follow approach to developing their book.
The morning focuses on getting the story written, with practical guidance on structure, characters and creating a book that keeps readers turning the pages.
The afternoon moves beyond writing to preparing a book for the real world, including what authors need to consider before submitting to agents or preparing for publication. Lisa Brace, an award-winning historical fiction author, journalist and owner of Bold PR, will also share practical advice on launching and promoting a book.
“We want people to leave with more than a notebook full of ideas,” says Lisa Brace. “The aim is to get them actually writing – and to show them what happens next.”
Whether you’ve been carrying a book idea around for years or have already started writing, How To Write A Bestseller offers a practical day of writing, advice and straight-talking guidance from authors who know the business from both sides.
Places are limited. Book now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-a-bestseller-tickets-1992348551149​ 

Join us for a fun 1-day hands-on workshop on how to turn your writing dreams into published reality!

WRITE TO PUBLICATION (1 DAY WORKSHOP)By popular request...
Bestselling authors D.E. White and Lisa Brace are back with another workshop.
Are you ready to get your writing out there? Or do you have the idea, but not sure how to progress? Maybe you want tips on literary agents and publishers? Or perhaps you just need us to listen to your brand new book ideas!
Join our in-person workshop where we will be focusing on editing, concepts, getting started, finishing, submitting or self-publishing, and as usual we'll give you not only all the insider tips from the publishing industry right now, but our popular 121 sessions.
Our 121's are a chance for you to talk and us to listen. We create a safe space for you to share your ideas, concerns and what you most need help with right now.
Whether you're a newbie or looking to polish your skills, this one-day workshop is packed with tips, tricks, and hands-on practice to boost your confidence and get your work ready for publication.
Tea and coffeemaking facilities are available, and we ask that participants provide their own snacks and lunch.
Your Facilitators:
D.E. White (Daisy), is a bestselling commercial crime fiction author. Her 26th book is published on 26.06.26 (which she's hoping is a sign!). Daisy was first published by Joffe Books in 2017, and has also written for HQ Digital (HarperCollins), and Storm Books. Most recently she signed a 4 book deal with Boldwood Books.
Daisy is rep'd by Hannah Weatherill at Watson and Little.
Lisa (L.H Brace), is a journalist, award-winning historical fiction author, and runs her own PR agency (Bold PR). She also co-writes the Sussex Mysteries, with Daisy, a cozy mystery series set in Sixties Brighton.
The Venue:
There is no on street parking at the venue, so we would advise using one of the car parks in Horsham town centre. Piries Place is the closest to the venue.
The venue has a stairs and a lift.
Tea and coffee making facilities are on site
Shops, restaurants and bakeries are a short walk.

Book here

I am so excited to have won an Eyelands Book Award. It's an international book award and means so much. 

Below is the press release which has made it into the local paper, because although the story is here there are so many pop-ups it's almost impossible to read...

A HORSHAM based author is celebrating after her historical novel won an international award.
Lisa Brace has won ‘Best Historical Fiction Novel 2025’ in the Eyelands Book Awards, for her novel The Fastest Girl on Earth.
The Eyelands Book Awards is open to all authors globally and Lisa joins winners from all over the world, including USA, India and Iran.
She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I received the email, I’m an award winning novelist! It’s something you dream about when you’re writing books, but for it to actually happen is a pinch me moment.
“It’s so wonderful to know that the characters I’ve lived with for years are getting their recognition – I love the story, so it’s exciting to see others enjoying it too.”
Lisa’s previous novel Swim was runner up in the same competition last year, and garnered two silver medals in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2024 and she has advice for would-be writers.
“If you have a book idea, just go for it. Write it down. You can’t sell books without writing them (and AI doesn’t count!). Enjoy the process and be proud that you’re getting it down. Persevere, share with likeminded people and go to writing clubs local to you. Keep going!”
The Fastest Girl on Earth is Lisa’s second historical novel and follows the story of Evelyn Bloom, lying on her deathbed in 1922. A decade ago, she had it all: the world at her feet, glittering parties with royalty, headlines ablaze with her daring exploits, and a string of scandalous love affairs.
Now, surrounded by faded photographs, shattered dreams, and secrets no one else knows, Evelyn faces the ultimate question: How did a life so brilliant end in such lonely despair?
From roaring race tracks to glittering ballrooms, from love and betrayal to triumph and tragedy, Evelyn’s story is a breathtaking, unputdownable WWI-era historical novel perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, Natasha Lester, and Mandy Robotham.
 
The Fastest Girl on Earth is available in all bookshops, as well as online as an ebook, paperback and audiobook.
 
Lisa is currently working on her third historical novel, Lipstick. In 1950s Seattle, Avon lady, Eleanor Shermanbury is drawn into a world of glamour and lust after selling make-up to a group of strippers, forcing her to choose between her new, intoxicating friends and the high society she has always longed to join.
 
Follow Lisa on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok, or visit www.lisabrace.co.uk
Buy her books here https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Lisa-Brace/author

One of my favourite things is to write about incredible women, and as part of my research into The Fastest Girl on Earth and Swim, I've had good reason to get dusty in search of stories.

So I was thrilled to get the opportunity to write a column for Sussex Exclusive, a website which gets thousands of visitors every day all about incredible women from Sussex!

My first is Octavia Wilberforce - the article is here, and more will follow on a monthly basis.

Always fun to make it into the local paper - particularly the one I worked on as a young journalist!

Full article here

​Local Author Honoured in 2025 Indie Book Awards
Swim by Lisa Brace has been named by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group as one of the best indie books of 2025.

Lisa Brace’s book is a finalist in two categories in the 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the world’s largest book awards programme for independent publishers.

Swim was one of only four finalists in Best Historical Fiction (post 1900s) and Best General Fiction Novel beating hundreds of other entries.

The winners and finalists will be honoured on June 27th at a gala event at The Notary Hotel in Philadelphia, PA, coinciding with the American Library Association Annual Conference.

Lisa, who will be hosting the launch of her second historical fiction novel, The Fastest Girl on Earth, at Waterstones Horsham on June 4th (see here for booking information), said:

“I am overwhelmed to be a finalist in this prestigious awards. Not only has this award been running for 18 years and is hugely well respected in the industry, it’s a real coup for Blue Pier Books, the publishers I run with fellow author D.E White.”

She added: “We set out to create novels that people want to read, and have proven that success doesn’t need to come with a hefty publisher behind you! Swim is a very important book to me, and I can’t wait to have the medals hanging up on my wall alongside the photo of the woman who inspired the novel, Lucy Morton.”

The Next Generation Indie Book Awards are judged by leaders in the indie publishing industry, many of whom have had long careers at major publishing houses. Drawing on their deep experience and love of great storytelling, they recognise books that deserve a wider audience.

According to Catherine Goulet, Founder and Co-Chair of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, “Like other independent artists, many indie book publishers face challenges that the industry giants don't experience. The indies have to work much harder to get their best books into readers’ hands.”
“Authors and publishers who compete in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards are serious about promoting their books,” adds Goulet. “They aim to stand out from the crowd of millions of books in print.”

To help indie authors and publishers reach a wider audience, the top 80+ books in the 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards will be reviewed by New York literary agent Marilyn Allen of Allen Literary Agency (formerly the Allen O'Shea Literary Agency), or one of Ms. Allen’s co-agents, for possible representation in areas such as: distribution, foreign rights, film rights, and other rights.

A complete list of 2025 winners and finalists is available at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards website at indiebookawards.com.
 
 
 

I've just sent off the final edits for The Fastest Girl on Earth, my novel out June 5 2025.

Whilst this is a work of fiction, I've taken inspiration from the most incredible woman called Dorothy Levitt. She drive in the early 1900s and set, then broke, world records for speed as a woman and often competed against men where she won.

She was so inspiring to research, but her story goes very quiet around 1913, and I decided to fictionalise what I think could have happened before her premature death aged 40 in 1922... no spoilers, but all I'll say is, the woman knew how to drive fast, use a gun and fly a plane (ahem spy?).

Anyway, I'll leave it to you to decide if I made the right decision... the novel is out in a few months and pre-orders are up now!

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.