I'm back again, and boy is it cold
sorry about that
Hiya.
Yes I did say that this would be monthly, possibly, but here’s the thing: I got covid. And then I went on holiday and forgot lol. So it wasn’t all serious and doom and gloom. I was just absolutely rinsing the all-inclusive pool service bar. Look, my top tip, of any tip I can give you, is that if you want to upgrade to something fancy, email the reception at the hotel. We are both quite tanned and did nothing except read (more on that below) and I got to see about twenty pilot whales, several of whom were babies who did very stroppy little noises!
By the by, I’m back again to give you a rundown on what I’m up to and thinking about. It’s like Twitter, before it became X. But the only person you can follow is me… Sorry about that.
What I’m writing
It’s editing season baby. Next year I have three books out (yes, really) so Tasha and I are hard at work editing Hits Different, and then I get to go back to Vivi 2 (cover and title to be revealed soonish!) and THEN I go off to do my edits for my second Christmas romcom, more on that when we’ve worked out what on earth the title is.
In fact, I just realised that in the gaps between the newsletters I haven’t specifically told you, my substack people, about what Hits Different – basically Tasha Ghouri and I have written a swoony summery romance following a deaf dancer Cassie who gets offered the job of her dreams – dancing in a huge stadium tour for her favourite musician. It’s a story of learning to love yourself and realising what kind of love you want from other people too. You can find out more about it here, and watch our adorable announcement video here.
What book is out next?
Okay so, the next book that will be out is Vivi 2 in May and Hits Different in June.
But as we’re at the season of cosy chaos Make You Mine This Christmas is now out in paperback, as well as ebook and audiobook. As is Weihnachten -- nur du und ich the German translated edition of Make You Mine This Christmas. There’s still a few of the Afterlight exclusive hardback editions left but there’s a low stock warning, and when they are gone, they are gone! I only have two myself.
In the spirit of reminding you what things I’ve written that might be appropriate as a gift, here’s a quick rundown:
- Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend: fantasy Welsh myth inspired adventure for 8+ with an autistic main character
- Sir David Attenborough, A Life Story: a biography of Sir Dave that looks at the history of television, conservation, ecology and updates some of the science from his earlier series (many of which you can watch on BBC Archives). Yes it’s an educational present option!
- Allies: Real Talk About Showing Up, Screwing Up and Trying Again: an anthology that explores the concept of solidarity through essays from 18 YA authors (and me, this is technically my only writing for teen audiences!) It’s pitched for teens but I think makes a really accessible intro guide to solidarity for anyone. A mini version was done for World Book Day which you can still just about find, which would be a good stocking filler too.
- Stim: an autistic anthology: an anthology of essays, fiction and art by autistic creators, suitable for teens and up, content warnings are flagged, it’s back in paperback!
If you need any more recommendations for the kiddos in your life, can I point you to this list of amazing Welsh children’s literature I did for the BookTrust over the summer? Some beauts in here.
Upcoming events
You can always find an up-to-date list of the events that I have coming up on my website here.
Knights Of & Friends Showcase
11am, 18th November
Brixton House
Join inclusive children’s publisher Knights Of and some of their wonderful authors to hear more about some of their recently published books, news on upcoming campaigns plus an exclusive look at some of the books they are publishing in 2024. Authors Lizzie Huxley-Jones, Alexandra Sheppard and Nikesh Shukla will be in conversation with Sofia Akel to discuss the themes of friendship within their books and the power of storytelling. All authors will be available to sign copies of their books after the event. Books sold by award-winning bookshop Round Table Books.
This is a family-friendly event and kids are welcome.
Date: Saturday 18th November
Time: from 11am
Venue: Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London, SW9 8GL
Tickets can be purchased here.
Winter romances with Lizzie Huxley-Jones & Abiola Bello
6.30pm, 28th November 2023
Waterstones Kensington
Kick off the festive season at Waterstones Kensington with Lizzie Huxley-Jones and Abiola Bello as they chat about their wintery romances, Make You Mine This Christmas and Only For the Holidays.
Make You Mine This Christmas is a joyful (and romantic) Christmassy read that follows Haf who agrees to accompany her new friend Christopher to to his family's Christmas, pretending to be his girlfriend. But, when she meets his mysterious, magnetic and utterly irresistible sister, Kit, things become a lot more complicated...
Only For The Holidays is a captivating Christmas romcom that finds city girl Tia embark on a fake relationship with country boy Quincy in order to get back at her ex but a snowstorm arrives and makes everything a little more complicated. As Tia and Quincy find their chemistry heating up, can they save the Winter Ball or will their real feelings get in the way?
This promises to be a wonderful event, and it will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.
Date: Tuesday 28th November
Time: 5.30pm
Venue: Waterstones Kensington, 130 Kensington High Street, London, W8 7RL.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Things in my head
What I’m reading: I’m about to kick off reading a lot more Christmas romances, but over my holiday I read a bunch of bangers. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett which had me sobbing, and Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfield was absolutely pitch perfect. I loved the chaotic late 2010s-YA energy that These Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington had – think Hunger Games meets debutants.
What I’m watching: I can’t take in new shows when I’m editing, so we have been rewatching Never Have I Ever – new to Tim, though. A brilliant teen show about a truly chaotic desi girl dealing (or not) with her grief after her father dies. It’s so desperately funny but then will knock you out with feelings.
What I’m listening to: If any of you follow me on social media, you probably don’t need me to tell you I’m listening to 1989 (Taylor’s Version). Saying that, I’ve really been flipping between Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS and Maisie Peter’s The Good Witch.
What I’m eating: well my friend Jade just sent me a Warhead extreme sour giant pickle in the post, so I guess that.
Nerys is: asleep.
Anyway, that’s all. Traa x