Celebration, hole, birthday

Approximately-weekly news, #88

Jun 24, 2026

We celebrated Beloved Mr. Butland’s life last week, at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House*, and it was sad and funny and uplifting and full of love. And afterwards I was (am) tired. And now I am getting on with the everydayness of missing Alan, which is full of tiny ambushes (the bowl I bought him that says ‘are we having pudding?’) and unexpected happinesses (there was even a photo of me in the briefcase of Very Important Documents).

We had a slideshow of photos of Alan at the celebration. Here he is, making magic.

Here he is, being wiggy.

Here he is, dancing with a cow.

He was unstinting in everything, including loving me, and I am starting to realise that I will never truly be without him.

Many of you have written, emailed, messaged with love and advice and support and I am so very grateful for the time you have taken and the thoughtfulness that has gone into what you have sent. If I haven’t replied, please know that it isn’t because I’m not grateful. I truly am, as I am for all of you who have prayed, and held us in the Light. I will not forget the kindness that has surrounded and upheld me in the almost-month (how?!) since Alan died.

Well, we all mocked/despaired at Harris for The Hole, but now it’s hot he is definitely having the last laugh, as the hole is his Cool Place.**

I’m re-opening my services-for-writers books for September, October and November. So if your writing is ready for a boost - whether that’s mentoring, manuscript assessment, developmental edit, or something that we build for you - now’s the time to let me know. Details of what I do are here.

I’m limiting how much work I take on for the rest of the year so slots are likely to go quickly, but I also have a waiting list as things do move around.

If you’re having a little wonder about whether this might be for you, but you’re not quite sure… I’m really happy to have a chat with you about your work, with no obligation on you to proceed.

This week’s permission:

You have permission to change your mind about going to that thing you said you would go to.

I feel as though these flowers turned into an Old Master. No filter.

Heather (the manager at Forum Books) said I was an excellent Guest Bookseller and I can have a job there anytime. She was definitely*** not just humouring me.

Thank you to everyone who came to say hello - it was lovely to chat, and I hope you enjoy your new books.

Forum now have signed copies of A BOOKSHOP SUMMER and many of my other books, and they will be very happy to post one to you. You can contact them here.****

So. Next week, I’ll be 55. Alan and I celebrated everything - birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries (which included when we met, when we had our first date, and our wedding) so, it’s gonna be weird. Usually I would ask you to propose a cake for me to bake and add your name to my next book as a thank-you, but this year someone is baking for me. I’ll have company for most of the day, and will be at home in the evening.

This year, in lieu of propose-a-birthday-cake, I’m hoping that you can suggest a lovely solo treat. I already have a new book***** to read, and I don’t have a bath, though I do like a good indulgent shower. What can my new birthday traditions be? If I take you up on your suggestion, I’ll name a character after you in my new book.

Until next time, friends, thank you for being here.

Much love,

Stephanie x

*aka Alan’s second home

** I did buy him a cooling mat once, but he could not be persuaded to do anything more than lie next to it.

***almost certainly

****If you want a dedicated copy of any of my books, just reply to this email and we will get sorted.

*****Okay, seven new books. Shall we say ‘it’s what Alan would have wanted’? Or shall we admit that Alan might gently wonder when I will read all of the other new and unread books?