It's great to have an English-language bookshop locally that hosts literary events! I hope you present #lovelaydown at lots of festivals, Helen. What an amazing book you've written! I hope it reaches a lot of readers!
A5 #WomenWritersNet I'm hoping to do a couple of my own to tie in with the paperback of #lovelaydown. Our local English language bookshop, Massena Around the World, runs regular events so I'll definitely be attending some of those. Hoping to make one of the bigger UK book festivals this summer
A6 #WomenWritersNet The paperback of #lovelaydown for sure. I’m working on something completely new at last and I’d love to get a decent draft ready by this time next year. Fingers crossed.
A3 #WomenWritersNet I'm so happy that #lovelaydown was picked up by @wiltonsquare.bsky.social and will come out as a paperback in 2026, Helen.
A3 #WomenWritersNet The main challenge was that my publisher first went into administration and then went bust. Very stressful. Thankfully #lovelaydown was published and then picked up by Wilton Square Books. Coming out in paperback in 2026 so all good.
A1 #WomenWritersNet After a bit of a saga my memoir #lovelaydown was finally published! I also wrote a piece for @womanandhome.bsky.social about what it is like to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act. The same piece is coming out in Woman’s Own on 16 December.
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/love...?
After all the drama with my first publisher (who shall remain nameless) going into administration, and then the phoenix-ed version of the same going bankrupt, I really thought that would be it for my wee book. So happy that it has a bit more time to make its mark. #lovelaydown
I am thrilled to be able to post this news. I've got a new publisher for #lovelaydown: Wilton Square.
The e-book is now available through them and we're hoping to get our hands on the original stock of hardbacks (still waiting for confirmation). But even better, the paperback is planned for 2026.
This books looks excellent. I wish it had been available before I wrote #lovelaydown. It might have helped me through some of the tricky stuff around writing memoir. I did a lot of soul searching about memory, truth, and whether there was any value in sharing my story.
Last Thursday, @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social interviewed @luluallison.bsky.social about her new novel, "Beast", for our monthly @womenwritersnet.bsky.social #AuthorInterview. You can find it with the hashtag #WomenWritersNet. Helen's own #LoveLayDown was also recently released. Here's a review!
The second in our series of #womenwritersnet #authorinterviews on Bluesky takes place TOMORROW, 24 July, at 6 pm BST. We began on 26 June with @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social and her #memoir #LoveLayDown. Tomorrow we welcome @annehamilton.bsky.social with "Letters from Helena"! @legendpress.bsky.social
If you missed the #WomenWritersNet Author interview with @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social do check out the feed - and #lovelaydown. A compelling memoir that will make you laugh and cry
Today, July 1 2025, is #publicationday for #lovelaydown in US and Canada.
It's a few months later than originally planned but I am so thankful that it has finally happened.
#mentalhealthmemoir #mentalhealthawareness #memoir #creativenonfiction #narrativenonfiction #newwriting
Thank you @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social and @womenwritersnet.bsky.social for a brilliant hour where I've found out lots more about #lovelaydown #womenwritersnet. I look forward to more events in the future.
Thank you #WomenWritersNet for hosting me. I’d love to take this opportunity to also thank all the people who have already bought, read, reviewed #lovelaydown
A5 I have had so many messages of support and gratitude about this book. Even though I thought I knew already, it has really brought home to me how much silent suffering there is. The experience has been humbling, sad and wonderful all at the same time #WomenWritersNet #lovelaydown
As shocking as it may be, the hour is up! Many thanks to
@drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social
for joining us to night and chatting with us about her remarkable and moving #MentalHealthMemoir, #lovelaydown. We truly appreciate your courage and willingness to share your story, Helen!
Thank you to Helen for being our first interviewee and guinea pig this evening, and thank you to everyone who took part.
To find out about future events, make sure you follow us or the hashtag #WomenWritersNet. See you next time!
#lovelaydown @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social #AuthorInterview
A6 Thanks, Rita. The memoir had several working titles (all of which were terrible) but when I finally settled on this, I knew it was the right one.
#WomenWritersNet #lovelaydown
It's a great title. I thought maybe it happened the other way around. That you came up with the title and then inserted the line into the memoir. #womenwritersnet #lovelaydown In any case, I love the echo of the words.
A5 It's really great isn't it. I was totally persuaded by the idea. When I saw it to begin with the figure was definitely falling through, but now I'm seeing it in a different light. My writing sustained me, in hospital and later. #lovelaydown #WomenWritersNet
A6 Also, can I just remind any readers that authors really appreciate people taking the time to review their books. Reviews always increase the book’s online profile.
#WomenWritersNet #independentbookshops #bookrecommendations #lovelaydown
A6 The title is lifted from a passage about half-way through the book. I was struggling to come up with the right title but when I reread that section I realised it was perfect. It sums up the themes. How love was there with me in the difficult times.
#WomenWritersNet #lovelaydown #booktitles
Q6 A double question to finish. Where did the title come from?
And where can we find your book?
#WomenWritersNet
#AuthorInterview #lovelaydown @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social
A5 cont The original design had a far more glamorous figure but I couldn't relate to her. This one is more me (even though I know it isn't really me!) and Marc changed the shoes from pixie boots to trainers. It was great having some input. #WomenWritersNet #lovelaydown
A5 What you can’t see from the front is that the spine has the title horizontally on the lines. As authors we always want our books to stand out in bookshops. Even if it isn’t turned out on the shelf, the unusual spine makes it eye-catching.
#bookcoverdesign #WomenWritersNet #lovelaydown
Q5 The cover is very distinctive. Can you talk us through how it came about?
#WomenWritersNet
#AuthorInterview #lovelaydown @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social
A4 cont #WomenWritersNet Because we all have stories, we all have hard times and things that we keep hidden from the world, and maybe that is why memoir often resonates so strongly with readers.
#lovelaydown #mentalhealthmatters #memoir #mentalhealthmemoir
Q4 Can you give us three main ideas or themes in love lay down that you would like to get across to your readers?
#WomenWritersNet
#AuthorInterview #lovelaydown @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social
A2 It's not available online any more and certain details had to be taken out of the final memoir for legal reasons, so I can't share it here. But most of it is in #lovelaydown (if slightly less contentious than the original)
