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.

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

I'm thrilled to announce I have teamed up with author Daisy White to host Sussex Writing Retreats.

Following on from the inaugural one this year, we have four scheduled for 2022.

The first one is to take place from 1-3 April, and will focus on New Beginnings. Every day we'll feed you great food, inspire you with experts across many fields in publishing and give you the space to create your own work. 

To book your space (places are limited) or ask any questions, go to www.daisywhiteauthor.co.uk. 

I'm very excited to announce I have been signed by Annette Crossland at the A For Authors agency.
She will be working with me on getting my novel, Star Survivor, out into the world.
Watch this space for further updates!

As of this week I'm adding to my portfolio by writing for lifestyle and travel website, Sussex Exclusive.

My area of expertise, which I've got something like 15 years' experience in, is food and drink producers in the South East. That means it's great to shout about the amazing artisans of food and drink in this stunning area of the UK to live in.

The only task I have to fulfil is to find interesting and exclusive finds, and then write about them. 

For the launch week I put together articles on Firebird Brewery, Coolhurst Vineyard, Amanda Jane Flowers and Afterthought Spirits.

I'm providing copy for two articles a week, so am looking forward to discovering more amazing finds.

Ooo this was a good month for reading. I mean, most months go pretty well but this month I've enjoyed some incredible finds.

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

This wonderful book - and equally wonderful author, won numerous prizes and plaudits last year and quite rightly so. I don't even know where to start with this book. It's about Shakespeare's wife and family, though he never gets named, and is all about what was going on 'back home' when he was off being the Bard.

As soon as the novel began I was sucked into the world O'Farrell had magicked up and from there on in I was hooked. The writing is sublime. She's masterful at descriptions that put you right.there.in.the.moment. She doesn't use silly plot devices, just the changing of seasons to move things along when needed and purely because I wouldn't wish to give anything away, all I can say is I did actually cry at the end. I'm so rarely moved by a book in such a way and she managed it. 

I would give my right arm to write as well as Maggie does.

Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

My husband bought this book for me purely because the protagonist had the same name as my own novel Star Survivor and that's entirely where any similarities with my work and Taffy's ends.

I was so worried about what to read after Hamnet. I honestly considered just re-reading it because nothing could possibly compare. However, despite the cover which for some reason I found off-putting (I know, don't judge a book etc) I was instantly drawn into Taffy's New York and protagonist Fleishman.

The book follows the story of a couple going through a divorce, mainly through the eyes of Toby Fleishman. So far, so what I suppose you ask? Well, it's just so darn current. There's online dating. A touch of catfishing. A lot of sex. 

But it's so raw. The emotions Taffy gives to the Fleishman's make them as real as you or I. I read it breathlessly, wondering where it was going and able to touch, taste and smell the New York streets. 

By the time I finished it. Well, I won't give anything away. But yes. There's a fair bit of trouble, and a hell of a lot of good writing.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

I've mentioned before how I like to take recommendations for my reads, and often my son recommends something to me he's enjoyed (and vice versa). I love the connection we have and the fact he can enjoy something so much he adds it to my TBR pile means an awful lot. My daughter has begun to do the same and I'm always heartened by what the pile next to my bed contains when someone has left a suggestion.

This month, my son recommended The Maze Runner, and after two cracking 'grown up' books, I was keen to be diverted in case I chose a duff one, so it was good timing for this scary coming of age YA novel. 

The premise, that a group of teenagers are in some sort of dystopian world - ours maybe? - but have a class system, have to look after themselves and don't know how they get there (other than they arrive in 'the hole') is sounding a bit like Lord of the Flies, well, drop the notion as there's also a huge maze next to them, with enormous nasty creatures ready to chop them to bits. Nice huh? 

It's actually good fun. I read it quickly but enjoyed the characters - none of which followed any awful stereotypes - and was hooked to the end, then discovered it was part of a trilogy! So I'm left hanging now to find out what happens to the characters I've grown to know. I'll wait for the next one to arrive on my TBR pile shortly!

Holes by Louis Sachar

We read together as a family, and this novel, set in the States in current times was...interesting. 

The premise was intriguing. A boy, who has committed a crime, is sent to a camp where he, and a gang of other naughty lads, are tasked with digging holes. They're not told why. As they dig, and we begin to learn more, there's clearly a reason for the digging and events unfold/

My children, aged 8 and 10 enjoyed it. I found a lot of it quite predictable and wasn't surprised by the various twists and turns. This is probably because I'm not the target audience as it's been picked up and turned into a movie, so, what do I know?