Blog

Why A Book Is More Than 'Just' Pages

16th June

We all know a book by its cover. Some of us, proudly or guiltily, choose our next read because of it. The title might draw us in; the blurb might seal the deal. But what about everything in between—the parts we hold, skim past, ...

Books Are Making A Comeback-Time To Celebrate

9th June

There was a time, not so long ago, when people were queuing up to bury the printed book. The rise of e-readers, tablets, and smartphones — along with a growing obsession with convenience and minimalism — made it all too easy to ...

You Can't Win Them All-And That's OK

2nd June

Not every pitch lands. Not every client stays. Sometimes a client moves on from me. And sometimes, they come to me—after parting ways with someone else. It works both ways. When it happens, it simply means we can’t possibly b ...

The Pros & Cons Of Your Book Being On Amazon

26th May

It’s always a thrill to see your book listed on Amazon. That familiar cover, your name in bold, available at the click of a button to readers across the globe. It feels like validation—like you’ve made it. And in many ways, Ama ...

Invisible Ink-The Art Of Ghostwriting

19th May

It’s a curious thing, ghost-writing. A profession both intimate and invisible. We exist in the margins, in the shadows, at the back of the room and away from the cameras. Our job is to disappear—so that someone else can be hea ...

How Many Words Do I Need In My Book?

12th May

It’s one of the most common questions I’m asked by aspiring authors-usually just after they’ve written either 3,000 words and called it a novel, or 150,000 and referred to it as ‘…a short story that got slightly out of hand’. I ...

The Joy Of Independent Bookshops

5th May

There’s something quietly revolutionary about stepping into an independent bookshop. Not the kind of revolution that makes headlines or causes governments to wobble, but the sort that stirs the soul. The slow-burn type. A rev ...

The Perils Of Publishers Who Say 'Yes' Too Quickly

28th April

We’ve all heard the phrase, haven’t we? "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is." Of course we’ve all heard it. It’s something of a tired and worn-out maxim these days. But be warned-in the world of publishing, espec ...

The Challenges Of Writing Dialogue

21st April

Let’s be honest: writing dialogue sounds like it should be easy. After all, most of us talk all the time. The challenge, however, lies in making it feel natural on the page. That’s a different beast entirely. Good dialogue is ...

Why Writing Fiction For Children Isn't 'Easy'

14th April

Let’s start with the myth: writing fiction for children is easy. Because kids aren’t fussy, right? They’ll read any old tosh so long as there’s a fart joke and a talking dog. Except they are. And they won’t. Writing fiction ...