The crime rate in Balamory must be massive cos PC Plum does fuck all work

“I’m scared.” “Fear won’t solve anything.” She takes my hand, stroking the back with a thumb. “You’ve seen a sunset, ain’t you?” I furrow my brow. “Of course.” “Do you have a photo of one in your phone?” I unplug my device from the wall, fifteen percent, and perch on the arm next to her as I open the photo app trying to find the picture I took from the train as I passed Stevenage. “I don’t need to see it,” she says, waving me away. “I wanted to prove a point. Sunsets are like life, y’see. When you see a sunset, you take a photo, everyone does because part of you, however deep inside, believes it will be the last light you’ll see. The purples and yellows illuminating the clouds, changing colour until the sky fades to black. The next day, another sunrise comes along and the process starts over.” Her eyes sparkle with tears, her words aimed as much to herself as they are to me. “Life is full of moments Harri, and you must never assume a sunset is the end. We all live under the same sky, even if we may have been born on a different cloud. Whenever you feel you’re at the blackest moment, you need hope. Wherever you are, you have to remember that the sun will rise.” She takes a long drag of her cigarette and blows the smoke towards the light. “Always believe in the sunrise, Harri.”

Last week I asked if people had photos of a sunset on their phone, and had about 50 sent to me.

I said it was book related, and here is how.

Here is Gloria discussing fear with Harri in my new novel East End Boys and West End Girls, in what may be my favourite thing I've ever written.

A foggy picture woman in a white dress holding flowers. The top says THE HUNGER GAMES x THE BACHELORETTE, BUTH LESBIAN FMC, and “Once you enter you never leave.” The title: THE LAMB & THE LABYRINTH. In the middle it says SFF novel by Athena Kane A quote “She is no little lamb. She is a weapon in a pretty package.” And at the bottom: Coming soon in the query trenches

THE HUNGER GAMES x TAMSYN MUIR

To pursue her interests: swords & women, Dorian dresses as a man and joins a televised tournament to win the hand of a holy priestess. But when she stumbles on a plan to kill the priestess she must save the girl & escape the sentient labyrinth. #PosterPit #A #SF #F #W

A blue sky and cloud background with a red haired drag queen staring into the sun. Text reads 1986 had them, 2026 needs them. East End boys and west end girls. Out worldwide from 25th April 2026. a new lgbtq+ adult road trip comedy, available from all booksellers Written by james a lyons | Repped BY intersaga literary agency | published BY spectrum books |STarring harri forrester & wilma cockburn | co-starring gloria, westward hoe & boo karky | and introducing jack montague. Rivals to lovers. Age diverse cast. Found family.

PRISCILLA x IT'S A SIN

Whilst honouring his estranged uncle's dying wish to reunite five 1980's drag icons, a gay man learns the dark truth about his adoptive mother. With her past now set to impact his future, he must choose: his uncle’s legacy or the woman who raised him.

#PosterPit #CO #SO #A

Ahhhh thank you 🫶

Ah thank you Laura!

bsky.app/profile/jalw...

bsky.app/profile/jalw...

A blue sky and cloud background with a red haired drag queen staring into the sun. Text reads 1986 had them, 2026 needs them. East End boys and west end girls. Out worldwide from 25th April 2026. a new lgbtq+ adult road trip comedy, available from all booksellers Written by james a lyons | Repped BY intersaga literary agency | published BY spectrum books |STarring harri forrester & wilma cockburn | co-starring gloria, westward hoe & boo karky | and introducing jack montague. Rivals to lovers. Age diverse cast. Found family.

PRISCILLA x IT'S A SIN

Whilst honouring his estranged uncle's dying wish to reunite five 1980's drag icons, a gay man learns the dark truth about his adoptive mother. With her past now set to impact his future, he must choose: his uncle’s legacy or the woman who raised him.

#PosterPit #CO #SO #A

Thanks Emily :)

A drag queen on stage singing on the right. Text reads East End Boys and West End Girls. Wake up, wear heels. Kick arse. Yours to own from 25th April. a new lgbtq+ adult road trip comedy, available from all booksellers Written by james a lyons | Repped BY intersaga literary agency | published BY spectrum books | STarring harri forrester & wilma cockburn | co-starring gloria, westward hoe & boo karky | and introducing jack montague

SMOGGIE QUEENS v IT'S A SIN.

A gay man learns dark truths about his adoptive mother whilst searching for members of his late uncle's 1980's drag troupe. With her past set to impact his future, he must choose—his uncle’s legacy or the woman who raised him.

#PosterPit #SO #CO #A

BIG 5 EDITOR INTEREST😻
PIRANESI x SOMEONE YOU CAN BUILD A NEST IN

A cat is drowned by her owner. Reborn as a human godling, she competes to ascend to godhood for revenge—until she meets a godling who reveals personal things only her owner could've known.

#PosterPit #A #F #H #DF #W #POC #DIS

Might use this as my marketing tool.

Have you read my book? If not, you should. It is the best.

🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶

A retro themed poster. At the top is the title East End Boys and West End Girls. in the centre is a pastel sunset with a moon, over a purple and lilac skyline. At the forefront is a large lipstick with The Dragnificent Seven in the side. At the bottom it says 2026 and starring Harri Forrester, Jack Montague, Gloria, Wilma Cockburn, westward Hoe, Boo Karky, Princess Thigh-Ana, Havana Banana and The Duchess.

Whilst honouring his estranged uncle's dying wish to reunite five drag activists, a gay man learns the dark truth about his adoptive mother. With her past set to impact his future, he must choose his uncle’s legacy or the woman who raised him.

#PosterPit #CO #SO #A

Out 25/04/26

Viðey, Iceland
(note to self: take more pictures of sunsets)

Quick question: do you have a photo of a sunset in your camera roll?

(This was Bournemouth recently)

Quick question: do you have a photo of a sunset in your camera roll?

(This was Bournemouth recently)

Finished my painting of two of the main characters of Mage WIP, soon to enter the query trenches.

I listened to a doc on Studio 54, and it covered the backlash against disco music. It was said in 1979 that rich, straight white men started the anti-Disco movement because black and/or queer culture was always the first targets.

50 years later and ain't that still the truth.

On the left is the text East End Boys and West End Girls, with the date 25th April. In between is the popart cover for the novel, and on the right is an image of a drag queen down a darkened hallway.

Just over two weeks until my novel EAST END BOYS AND WEST END GIRLS is released!

If you're looking to boost your TBR pile or ready for a new read, why not check out this adult road trip comedy?

10% of author profits will be donated to NotAPhase, a UK trans charity.

Read on for more info! 🧵

After a crazy few weeks, I'm thrilled to announce that I'm now represented by Lucy Balfour at WME Books! Her vision and enthusiasm for THE DEATH AND DIFFRACTION OF SAFA RIZWAN blew me away. I'm so excited to work with her and so keen to take this next step into my writing journey!

EAST END BOYS AND WEST END GIRLS - CHAPTER ONE Read the complete first chapter of my new LGBTQ+ adult road trip comedy below.

You can read the complete Chapter One for free today. See below!

jamesalyons.substack.com/p/east-end-b...

It is available from all booksellers, as well as many places online. To order your copy, please see www.linktree.com/jamesalyons

On the left is the text East End Boys and West End Girls, with the date 25th April. In between is the popart cover for the novel, and on the right is an image of a drag queen down a darkened hallway.

Just over two weeks until my novel EAST END BOYS AND WEST END GIRLS is released!

If you're looking to boost your TBR pile or ready for a new read, why not check out this adult road trip comedy?

10% of author profits will be donated to NotAPhase, a UK trans charity.

Read on for more info! 🧵

A brown background with white text that reads: The Vengeance of Sons by Jason L. an agent's guide

A trope list that steadily gets more unhinged, starting with "YA romantasy" and going to "If you've ever looked at the girl disguises as a boy trope and thought it was trans, this is the book for you" and "The trauma didn't make him kind, it made him a bit of an a-hole". There is also a pitch, that reads: Ten years after an empress slaughtered his family and conquered his country, trans male former princess Finn has returned home with one goal, to take it all back. Prince Rory, on the other hand, is just trying to survive in an empire where discovery of his illegal magic could get him killed. When the boys cross paths, sparks fly, even as Finn starts leaving bodies for the empress to find. After Rory is assigned by his mother to find the mystery killer, a game of deadly cat-and-mouse begins, and the boys must make a choice: cling to each other and risk their lives, or cling to revenge and lose a chance at love.

Four comp titles are listed: Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli, This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi, Queen of Faces by Petra Lord, and Prince of Fortune by Lisa Tirreno. There is an excerpt of a scene where Prince Rory is talking to Finn, and Finn says, "I'm not good with this." "With what?" Rory crossed his arms. "Feelings." Finn said the word like it was gross. "Life would be so much easier if no one cared about anyone." He threw the knife again. "Why do you say that?" Rory asked. "Because," Finn said, yanking the knife from the post. "Maybe we're not so different. Your sister. My family." He talked like he was uncomfortable. "Is that bad?" Rory raised an eyebrow. He couldn't see why similarity wasn't a good thing. "No. Yes. I don't know." This last, said by Finn.

Three memes in a mood board: One is a text message conversation that reads: can you come collect your freak of a man please, he's doing things. The reply is: No I set him loose on purpose. He needs enrichment. Another is a Tumblr post that reads: love when a dynamic is like. this would be deeply toxic for anyone else but considering the people involved this is actually far and away the healthiest option. The final post reads: First off through unimaginable violence all things are possible so jot that down.

Coming now to the query trenches! My We Need Diverse Books mentorship project, THE VENGEANCE OF SONS, is ready to send out! Here's the #agentsguide

#writingcommunity #amquerying

LGBTQIA+ Book Releases: April 2026 News, updates, and writing tips from James A Lyons

Want to read an LGBTQIA+ novel in April? Here is a round up of some coming out in the next few weeks!

jamesalyons.substack.com/p/lgbtqia-bo...

LGBTQIA+ Book Releases: April 2026 News, updates, and writing tips from James A Lyons

Want to read an LGBTQIA+ novel in April? Here is a round up of some coming out in the next few weeks!

jamesalyons.substack.com/p/lgbtqia-bo...

To find out more about Not A Phase please see www.notaphase.org

The novel features an historically marginalised community, with a trans character having a very prominent part in the second half.

It will be released on 25th April and can be ordered via www.linktree.com/jamesalyons