I finally did one, well done me
hello yes, I live in your inbox now
Hi. Dear reader, and all that.
I know, I can’t quite believe it either. I wrote one of these newsletters finally after threatening to do so a full twelve months ago. But here I am, popping up in your inbox (or more likely you clicked on the link I shared on socials). I hope you’re doing alright, and you’ve got a nice snack in the cupboard for later.
Part of the reason it’s taken me so long to write here is because I am frankly always writing. And when you are always writing and also perpetually on Twitter (even as it quite literally falls apart) you sometimes forget that you can do other things with words. And sometimes that other thing is talking about the always writing you’re also doing, and the events and the social media and the and and and.
I’m conscious of getting too indulgent and structureless here but this is the first one, so let’s all treat it like the first pancake — all the components are there if none of the execution. In fact, I’ll be honest. I’m actually writing this in the Notes app on my phone in bed. Normally I’m very diligent about separating the work from the Rest of My Life but I just had a thought that maybe I’d draft something, so here I am. Freshly pyjama’d and my hair still drying in one of those wrap-up-towels. I had a rocky end of June, health wise (so common for me because the air pressure goes, well, totally wonky) and so I’ve been easing myself back into the words, so you have to allow it actually!!! This is my show!
My hopeful plan is that I’ll send you one of these once a month (ish), within which I’ll give you a small roundup of the things I am up to or will be doing, and what books of mine are out. Essentially, a neat little bulletin of all the info I strew across Twitter and Instagram and very very occasionally TikTok so you don’t have to go hunting for it. But also I’ll put some of my inane thoughts in there too, just for a sprinkle of personality so you don’t feel quite so much that I’m just yelling dates at you.
What I’m writing
The second Vivi Conway book! I finally worked out the full chapter progression for the ending. It’s a mess, but that’s expected — Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend the book in your hand (because you bought it already, right? It came out last month and it’s Disability Pride Month right now so you could, you know, get one right now if you didn’t yet) in its final form is draft 9 or 10. This manuscript is draft 1, where I’m still telling myself the story, chipping at the stone. My editor is already upset about the ending, which is usually a good sign.
What book is out next?
Well it would be remiss of me to not remind you a whole paragraph later that Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend, the first in (*deep breath in*) my fantasy children’s series about an autistic girl discovering she’s part of a destiny inspired by Welsh myth, Arthuriana and Sailor Moon (*deep breath out*), came out on June 2nd so is horrifyingly over a month old somehow already. You can buy a copy here.
After that will be Make You Mine This Christmas on the 28th of September which is finally in paperback and will have a fancy new cover (more to be revealed). You can preorder it here! And you’ll be relieved (I hope) to hear that while the next Christmas queer romance has been pushed back to 2024 (sorry!), MYMTC had such a good response that we’re no longer doing the digital first, paperback a year later strategy so when it comes out it’ll be available in all formats, so thank you for those of you who yelled loudly and championed it!
Speaking of, it’s actually out in paperback in German *before* it’s out in English. Weihnachten— nur du und ich is out with Harper Collins Deutschland on the 26th of September (big time for me as my 35th birthday is *also* that week ish). I remain obsessed with the cover by the exceptional Leni Kauffman who really got the mischief (and a few Easter eggs) onto this cover. You can preorder a copy here!
Upcoming events
You can always find an up-to-date list of the events that I have coming up on my website here. There’s quite a lot coming up as it’s a busy summer!
Disability Pride Month Livestream with Littlemotac & RollwithRu, Friday 21st July at 7pm BST
I’m taking part in the third Disability Pride Month stream Mollie is running this summer from her Twitch channel, and I’ll be joining her and Ru to discuss disability representation across media. You can tune in here, and the stream will be available to watch afterwards too!
Making Myth Your Own Workshop at Cardiff Waterstones: Cardiff Children's Book Week, 2pm on 24th July 2023
I will be running a fun workshop for children 8+ about making myth your own, and finding new ways to tell stories, followed by questions and book signing! Tickets can be purchased here (it’s free but you need a ticket!) You can find out more about the festival and the full programme of events here
Date: Monday 24th July
Time: 2.00 pm
Venue: Cardiff Waterstones, 2a The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1WB
Making Myth Your Own Workshop at Ely Hub, Cardiff: 11am on 25th July 2023
I will be running a fun workshop for children 8+ about making myth your own, and finding new ways to tell stories, followed by questions and book signing! It’s free, just turn up.
Date: Tuesday 25th July
Time: 11 am
Venue: Ely & Caerau Community Hub, Cowbridge Rd W, Ely CF5 5BQ
Panel with Ross Montgomery & E L Norry at Edinburgh Literary Festival: 12pm on 19th August 2023
Have you ever felt certain that you’re destined for greatness? Arthurian legend is brought into the modern world in three new edge-of-your-seat fantasy adventures: Lizzie Huxley-Jones’s Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend, E L Norry’s Fablehouse, and Ross Montgomery’s Spellstone. Discover the inspiration for their books in an event packed with magic and monsters, swords and sorcerers, and friends and fiends. Your destiny awaits… Chaired by Vivian French. Tickets can be purchased here.
Date: Saturday 19th August
Time: 12 pm - 1pm
Venue: Spark Theatre, 74 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9DF
Things in my head
What I’m reading: a glut of summer romance novels. Right now, You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry which is a great friends-to-lovers romance.
What I’m watching: Up Here, a musical comedy show about two people falling in love in 90s New York.
What I’m listening to: Chapell Roan’s Red Wine Supernova and Casual, over and over and over.
What I’m eating: Boursin came out with this velvety whipped version that I can’t tell if it’s much different from the normal one, but it has the benefit of coming in a small tub instead of the aluminium casing I always rip into bits. Also we just ordered another Akhtar’s at Home Mini Box which, while spenny, is delicious and has been a great substitute for takeaway nights.
Nerys is: furious that I’m writing as always, but there you have it.
Anyway, that’s all. Traa x