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 17^th 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 23^rd February, Southampton Library 3pm – I’ll be speaking with fellow Habitat Press author, Denise Baden, about “green issues, murder and teenage romance in two eco-themed novels!”

I was also interviewed on a writing podcast towards the end of last year, chatting about writing climate fiction and performance tips for authors – you can find the episode at The Creative Penn.

YA reading recommendation

I’m excited to report that the 2nd instalment of Moira Buffini’s trilogy is out now! I recommended Songlight last summer, and have just got my hands on a copy of Torchfire – I haven’t read it yet but it’s at the top of my reading pile and I can’t wait!

In the meantime, I hugely enjoyed Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh. It’s a gritty, sweeping, queer space opera that reminded me of TV sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica. If you like immersive space-based adventure with big ideas, this’ll be up your street! This one’s not for younger readers; you can find out more and check content warnings here.

Lazy green wins #19

Get ready to show the love on 14^th February – not by sending a valentine, but by sending a green heart to your local politician! 💚 ‘Show the Love’ is an annual campaign, run by the Climate Coalition, where people are invited to send short, personal messages about what matters in their local community – whether that’s clean air, warm homes, local green spaces, secure livelihoods, or the wellbeing of children and neighbours.

Green hearts can be real or digital! It’s a chance to tell our MPs that climate action is rooted in care for our communities – not a political football – and that there is more that unites us than divides us. This action can take 2 minutes or as long as you like, get involved!​

Do you plan to send a green heart? I’m working on a scrappy fabric patchwork… 💚

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Until next time, Happy reading! Laura