Astro, the morning star
The only thing I’ve been able to think about for most of the past couple of days was an event happening thousands of miles away. As I posted a few weeks ago, my brother Astro is having his first ever...
View ArticleLost in translation
I’ve been extremely absent from the blog- and Twitter-spheres lately, due to a perfect storm of various seasonal maladies (hack, cough), a jaunt to London for a restorative dose of culture and...
View ArticleWhat a difference a year makes
As 2012 counts down its final minutes I find myself reflecting on what an extraordinary year it’s been; not just in terms of Queen and country (Jubilee, Olympics); not just for family (one brother’s...
View ArticleLists
2013 is off to a good start – I appear to be getting over the latest plot-related stumbling block with Binary, and Gemsigns is popping up on a flattering number of most-anticipated lists. Here they...
View ArticleThe Great Jo Fletcher Books Giveaway
Presents aren’t just for Christmas, so the lovely folks at Jo Fletcher Books have turned their authors into elves, with sacks of books to give away. At least four are already handing out a book a week...
View ArticlePlanesrunner by Ian McDonald
There is not just one you, there are many yous. We’re part of a multiplicity of universes in parallel dimensions – and Everett Singh’s dad has found a way in. So begins the jacket copy for...
View ArticleHousekeeping
I’m supposed to be writing today. Honest. It’s amazing how many distractions you can find to keep yourself away from doing the thing you ought to be doing and want to be doing and need to be doing. I...
View ArticleI’m going to be on the radio! And other upcoming events.
A quick shout-out to Cheryl Morgan, who has very kindly invited me to join her on Bristol’s Ujima Radio 98fm Women’s Outlook programme from 12 – 2pm on Wednesday 27th March (podcast to follow). This is...
View ArticleOne Sentence Wonders: The City’s Son
It’s my turn to join in the Great Jo Fletcher Books Giveaway, and boy do I have some wonderful stuff for you! I’ll be running a weekly competition, starting today and until the publication of my own...
View ArticleWin ‘A Cold Season’ by Alison Littlewood
It’s a surprisingly frosty morning in north Devon and I’ve got a book to give away that feels just right for the last gasp of winter: Cass is building a new life for herself and her young son Ben after...
View ArticleSometimes you feel overwhelmed because it really is overwhelming
Feeling anxious and a touch inadequate at the moment, as though I am simply incapable of getting enough things done. It bugs me because normally I’m one of those people who can ALWAYS get EVERYTHING...
View ArticleHow to Help Debut (or, really, any) Authors
Reblogged from Laura Lam: I’ve had quite a few people (well, okay, like 5) ask me the best way to support me, and so I thought I’d collate the information I’ve learned. Obviously, this isn’t a...
View ArticleIn the lap of the reviewers
So Gemsigns is in. Not in my hot little hands, sadly – I am still camping out at a Premier Inn in Leeds, not really the place to have cases of books sent. But it’s in at the publisher’s, wherefrom...
View ArticleWin ‘Blood’s Pride’ by Evie Manieri
Free books are back! I took a break last week for reasons explained here, but thankfully things have settled down to a still-intense-but-manageable pace and I can return to giving away great reads: A...
View ArticleWe’re all winning
My word, but I’m having a week. First things first: congratulations to akaellisfisher for winning Blood’s Pride with an answer that was both thoughtful and contrarian (and a belated front-page...
View ArticleWin ‘Planesrunner’ by Ian McDonald
The last book giveaway generated some great responses, and I have a feeling this week’s offering will be equally inspirational. The lucky winner will receive a book I read and raved about just a few...
View ArticleAll over Eastercon
This time next weekend I’ll be at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford, halfway through my first Eastercon; in its 64th incarnation this year and therefore dubbed EightSquaredCon. I’ve been sent my...
View ArticleWriters’ Room: Stephanie Saulter on Sci-Fi | Free Word Centre
Many thanks to Sam Sedgman and Free Word Online for inviting me into the Writers’ Room this week. Here’s the result. Writers’ Room: Stephanie Saulter on Sci-Fi | Free Word Centre. The author of...
View ArticleGemsigns on the radio: podcast and other larks
I had a great time on Ujima Radio in Bristol yesterday. Cheryl Morgan invited me on to the Talking Books segment of the Women’s Outlook show to discuss Gemsigns. I haven’t yet been able to listen to...
View ArticlePublication day giveaway: Gemsigns!
No surprises for guessing which book I’m giving away this week – mine! Gemsigns is available online and in bookshops as of today, and you can win it here. First off, a reminder of what it’s about:...
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