Hello! Happy August! Book News . . . HUGE thanks to everyone who supported the launch of my latest book, Nourish, last month – whether you shared/followed on social media, bought the book, told a friend or posted a review! I was so grateful for all the lovely messages and warm responses to the story itself. This is what one reader said on Goodreads: This is a brilliantly pacy read about the place of food in our lives and what happens when big corporations take control of our daily...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hello! Happy July! Book News . . . When you were a kid, did you always get up really early on your birthday? Well, it’s in that spirit of excitement that I’m early with my newsletter this month… It’s finally time – the wait is over – sound the trumpets, this month my new novel is published! The Nourish eBook is available for preorder on Amazon now, with paperbacks available from 14th July. And the eBook launch-week sale price is just £1.77! £1.77 will buy half a cup of coffee in the average...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hello! Happy June! Book News . . . It’s almost exactly a month until my new novel, Nourish, is published – I’m counting the days until 14th July 2026! You can get a sneak peek of the first two chapters here. I’ll email details about subscriber discounts nearer the time, but if you’d like to read the advance eBook for FREE, hit reply and I’ll send you a copy. In return, all I ask is that you consider posting an honest review when you’ve read it. Here’s a lovely review I’ve already received...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hello! Happy May! Book News . . . The publication date for my new book Nourish is getting ever-closer – 14th July, to be precise. Last month I shared the fabulous cover design (I’m still ridiculously excited!), so this month I thought I should tell you a bit more… In draft form, Nourish got a stamp of approval when it was longlisted for the Yeovil Literary Prize. The novel is a dystopian thriller for teenagers (and adults who remain in touch with their inner teen!). Here’s the back-cover...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Hello! Happy April! Book News . . . Well, it’s been an exciting month! First of all, Dirt won the Gold Medal for ‘Best Book for Teenagers’ in the Wishing Shelf Awards! Secondly, the ever-brilliant designer Jet Purdie has finished the book cover for Nourish, my forthcoming YA novel to be published by Habitat Press this July. I hope you like it as much as I do! Finally, I’m very much looking forward to speaking at the Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival on 2nd May. The other panellists are...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hello! Read anything good lately? Book News . . . This month I received the lovely news that Dirt is a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Awards! What I especially like about this particular book prize is that the children's book submissions are partly judged by kids in UK primary and secondary schools. It's so heartening to know that kids have enjoyed reading Dirt! Since my last update, I’ve also been featured on Author Interviews, which is a website that very much does what it says on the tin! I...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Hello! Happy Daffodil Days! Book News . . . I’m excited to report that there’s now a publication date for my YA novel, Nourish! It will be out in July 2026, published by the very lovely Habitat Press (who brought out my last book, Dirt). Soon I’ll have a cover design to reveal, watch this space… If you’re a keen reader and you’d like to support my work, please consider joining my Advance Reader Team! I’ll send you a free eBook to read ahead of publication and invite you to help me reach new...
7 months ago • 2 min read
Hello! Happy January! Author News . . . I hope 2026 has started well for you. The year has kicked off for me with more talking than writing so far! I have two speaking events coming up, so if you’re in Southampton or London do pop along. Tuesday 17th February, Kairos Club, 6.30pm – I’m joining author Monique Roffey and Emeritus Professor Rupert Read to talk about “Literary Thrutopias: Stories of Active Hope”. Monday 23rd February, Southampton Library 3pm – I’ll be speaking with fellow Habitat...
8 months ago • 1 min read
Hello! Happy December! Book news . . . Thank you for subscribing to my monthly musings, I am so grateful you’re here! By way of a thank you, here’s a small Christmas gift: Guitar, a short story set in the world of my book, Dirt. If you’ve read the novel, you’ll recognise Sam and his family. If you haven’t, the story works as a mini-prequel to Dirt, so there’s no fear of spoilers! Guitar will be appearing in a new anthology published by Habitat Press in the New Year, so this is a free sneak...
9 months ago • 1 min read