Bookish things (various), socks, Edinburgh
Approximately-weekly news, #65
Let’s start with The Bookish Things (various):
Congratulations to fabulous Kate Beales, whose novel BROKEN HORSES is available to pre-order and out very soon indeed. I was privileged to work with Kate on an early version of this novel, and then to read it again in its final form. It’s a novel about a young woman’s time in Patagonia after the Second World War: there is a windswept, brutal beauty to the story that makes it unforgettable. You can read more about it, and pre-order it, here.
My novel THE SECOND CHANCE BOOK CLUB is proving to be really popular in America, which makes me happy and a little bit disorientated. Obviously I know, objectively, that my books sell, and I get sales figures and royalty statements, and lovely emails from readers, and also, no-one has been round to repossess my house.* But every now and then there’s a piece of info that brings home the fact that my actual job is being an actual writer. Such as the fact that literally thousands of American readers are downloading THE SECOND CHANCE BOOK CLUB every week.
Yes, the price point helps. Right now, September’s story is cheaper than almost anything good I can think of**: coffee, cinnamon buns, a pig’s ear***. But readers are still choosing to take a punt, when there are so many other books they could try. If you are one of those readers, thank you.
THE SECOND CHANCE BOOK CLUB is also 99p in the UK for September.
If you think you might like to give my novel (which features a cameo appearance by me and Harris) a 99c/99p try, this link is the one you need.
I was sent an early copy of this book and reading it felt like drinking the first hot chocolate of autumn. If you could do with a warm and comforting novel in your life right now, look no further. (Also, I think a hot chocolate, with cream and maybe a flake, would be just the ticket this afternoon. I wish I had known this when I was at the shop yesterday.)
I have finished the socks that I have been knitting for at least 4,000 years.**** I’m very pleased with them, now that they’re done! My son sent me the sock yarn (from this lovely shop in Portland, Oregon) and I love the colour SO MUCH. I was going to take a photo in the garden, but then there was a storm, so I pinned the socks to my corkboard instead.
In Things Move Around news, I have a slot to take on a manuscript assessment or edit between now and the end of September. This might be for you if your ms is ready, but…
Maybe you’re not quite sure about it, or you think it needs something but you don’t know what. Maybe you’ve been sending it out and getting no responses, or ‘not quite’ responses. Maybe you can’t see the hot chocolate for the marshmallows.
Does that sound like you? (Maybe?) If so, please take a look at what I do, here, and then get in touch and we can have a chat and make a plan.
I also have one slot to take on a mentee in October.
I have been to Edinburgh, to stand up for the right to protest.
Quakers have a long history of speaking truth to power, and I have felt strongly led to support the Lift The Ban campaign organised by Defend Our Juries.
I believe that the proscription of any non-violent protest group as terrorists is a danger to democracy. I believe that what is happening in Gaza is genocide. (The Quaker statement on Gaza, here, speaks my mind.)
Here’s the back of my t-shirt:
‘Let your life speak’ is a quote from Quaker ‘Advices and Queries’, our guidebook, if you will. It feels like a touchstone of faith for me. (My idea of faith is one of faith in humanity, in essential goodness, of the light in everyone, rather than faith in God. Other Quakers will define their faith differently.)
These are strange and frightening times, my friends. Take good care of yourselves.
Stephanie x
*or my car, or BMB. Not listed in order of importance.
**I should say, anything good that costs money that I can think of. There are so many good free things: sea, sky, throwing a ball for a cheerful dog.
***Harris’s contribution to this week’s newsletter, and the best thing he can think of.
****Knitting years. Definitely a thing, though I may have just invented them.
I am catching up with you in quite a circuitous manner. From browsing my Kindle library, to thinking, “her name sounds familiar,” to Instagram and finally here. I have only read The Second Chance Book Club, which I adored. I am a knitter, former yarn shop owner, and a book lover who has come back to reading after years of being unable to read without falling asleep. My passion for books, words, libraries and book stores runs deep into my soul. I am so excited to connect with you here.
I love your t-shirt. Where can it be purchased?
I’m an American who loves your book and your substack. It feels like listening to a friend.