I've not been here much, but I wanted to pop by to say how excited I am that I'm now represented by the wonderful agent Lucy Morris at Curtis Brown! We'll be sending out my debut novel, a cosy romance, in due course! 🤩
I haven't been on Bluesky much, but thought I'd update my writing friends on what I've been up to this year!
Finished writing my novel, started querying, received five full manuscript requests from agents, two of which have declined with positive feedback! So... let's see what 2026 brings!
Wouldn't she be delighted to unwrap them on Christmas day?!
Excellent Christmas present idea:
Take something belonging to a loved one, something they use often and will keep saying, 'Have you seen my...?'
Wrap it up and put it under the tree. When they open it, they'll be utterly delighted!
Thanks Helen, that's helpful! I really just want to write at the top of all my emails I'M A NICE PERSON! but that's probably not professional!
2) should I let the other agents, the ones who didn't specifically ask for that kind of update, that three agents are currently considering my full novel?
Question about querying agents (UK). Some asked to be let know if another agent has requested a full manuscript. I let those ones know at my first full request.
1) should I let them know that now three agents have requested the full, or is that a bit pushy?
When he needs a boost, Will writes with what he refers to in his mind, with capitals, as His Pen: the first thing he ever stole. He'll jot a list or an appointment and remember that thrill behind his sternum. Remind himself why he keeps doing this. #WriteCBC
We're going on holiday soon to a static caravan. I'm tempted to bring my air fryer. I've never felt more British.
I thought that an external keyboard would boost my novel writing productivity, so I bought this on Vinted for £4.
Turns out it does this the entire time it's plugged in… Not sure that's going to be THAT productive… 🤦🏻♀️
We're asking the hard questions: like how do you keep writing over the summer holidays without DYING (no hyperbole)
writershq.co.uk/writers-surv...
Featuring: @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @matgost.bsky.social @kathyhoyle.bsky.social @katiehwrites.bsky.social
What an amazing Creator God we have to design this 🤩
I love this!! Please tell us EXACTLY how it goes!!
7yo: We've got our end of term party soon!
Me: Fun! What will you do at it?
Him: Probably party work, like soduko and stuff. We can't party ALL day! (Said like this is a good thing)
He's more like me than I think!
Inspirational!
Sorry to hear that! I fear mine might meet the same end, when really I just want readers for it! I like it and think others will too! And I never expected to make money from it, so why not just make it free and accessible to all! I'm still mulling logistics and interest, though!
Last year my novella-in-flash 'Cups of Tea at the End of the World' shortlisted for the @bathflashaward.bsky.social Since, I've struggled to find a publisher for it. I think it's too niche. SO I'm thinking of serialising it and publishing on substack. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that!
OK but can I have lunch first?
How did you know about my jeans and my peeing?!
My seven- year-old's ‘swear word’ of choice recently has been BUM CHEEKS! But he's just switched it up to NOSTRILS!
I'm pretty certain we won't reach 1000 hours outside this year (probably any year!) BUT every one of these coloured squares represents an hour of family time where all four of us were in nature together. No screens. Just the sky and us. I know we'll reap the benefits of that!
"Romance novels are unfeminist!"
"Romance novels promote lust!"
And other things I've heard...
Here's my response: open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...
The sun had been pressing its sticky hands over Jo all day, and the top floor of the Natural History museum isn't any cooler as she stomps about looking for that bloody gemstone.
'Is this the best day ever, Mum?' Another sweaty hand.
'Absolutely!' She replies.
#WriteCBC
Happy birthday!!
A white person with blonde curly hair and round glasses, wearing a dark leather jacket, standing in front of a pastel-coloured John Bellany drawing of a suspicious-eyed bearded man in a large trenchcoat
This is 40! And to celebrate my continuing existence, I'd like to offer ten free query edits to anyone planning to dive into the trenches. RT and like to enter, and I'll pick ten people tomorrow. Tell your friends!
(and yes, my impersonations of art are unrivaled)
Here's my video round-up of what I read in June!
#booksky
open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...
My favourite litmag has had one of my stories for considerably longer than the two-day rejection I usually get. So I keep opening my email hoping NOT to have received a Submittable notification!
