This is Harris, having a rest after Some Exertion.
Here is The Exertion. (Hoe for scale.) I can’t even.
Fruit! Honestly my favourite thing. Long-time readers know how much I love a pear. I’ll tell you what I like even more: a pear that looks like a penguin. Funny and delicious. Who could ask for more?*
I’ve been brambling. With my little brambling basket. Occasionally I am caught without it and have to use a dog-poop bag (a roll in every coat), which is not nearly as satisfying.
Mostly we just eat the blackberries with yoghurt, but I had such a crop at the weekend that I made a galette, from the foraged fruit and the Penguin Pear.
It was SO delicious. And super easy. Here’s the recipe.
Not pictured**: Verena’s Potato Salad. It’s an Ottolenghi recipe so there is a degree of extra-ness, in this case knowing that you’re going to want potato salad a couple of hours in advance of eating it, so you can do the thing with the stock. Honestly, worth every step.
Last time, I promised you a reading update.
(I’ve included links to these books, which, if you use, will earn me a small commission. But they are also all available from (or can be ordered by) your local indie or chain bookshop, and all of the online places. Your library might have them too, or be able to order them - and if you borrow from a library, not only are you supporting libraries, but the writer gets a small fee.)
I have just finished ‘My Good Bright Wolf’ by Sarah Moss, which (perhaps inappropriately given the subject matter) I absolutely gobbled up. It’s a memoir about the anorexia which has been part of Sarah Moss’s life since she was a child, and it is both gripping and exquisitely written. I’d say approach with caution if you have experience of disordered eating, but otherwise, it’s a brilliant, brilliant book. And even if you think you wouldn’t be interested, if you’re writing memoir, it’s a must-read. (I’ll be commending it to all of my memoir-writing mentees from now on, along with the equally-brilliant-in-a-different-way ‘Why Did you Stay’ by Rebecca Humphries.)
‘The Art Of A Lie’ by Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a perfect summer read: gripping, twisty, with an excellent heroine and also, ice-cream. Looking at the cover, I’m now starting to understand my apparently random decision to have a go at making pineapple sorbet. (I am so suggestible. Never, ever introduce me to a stage hypnotist.)
I read ‘Inspector Imanishi Investigates’ by Seichō Matsumoto as part of the research for my new book.*** First published in 1961, it’s an intriguing mystery (a body, a word) that now feels like social history (in a good way), capturing Japanese society at a time when modernity was nosing through the door. I’ve just made it sound really worthy, but honestly, it’s such a great read.
I’ve been working with Zoë Richards for some years now. She has kindly said that I turned her ‘from being someone who writes into being a writer’, which I appreciate. I will take *some* responsibility, but I also think Zoë has a good mix of qualities for success: writing talent, work ethic, and the understanding that writing the best book you can is the most important thing you can do if you want to be published - even though that might not be straightforward. An example (and one that Zoë is happy for me to share): during a mentoring session I asked permission to suggest some radical changes, which I did, and after some discussion, we concluded that she had written the wrong story… Zoë ditched her 74,000 word manuscript and started again. She asked me to tell you this because, she says, “I think it might help others to know that success comes from tough bits in writing.”
Anyway! Here is that book! It’s publishing tomorrow. ‘Tell It To The Bees’ is an utter joy.
As is Zoë’s first novel, ‘Garden Of Her Heart’.
You can find out more about Zoë via her website, where you’ll also find links to her social media and podcast.
Writing workshop latest dates and details are here. I have a bursary place if you would like to come and can’t afford to right now. Just reply to this email.
Mentoring, manuscript assessment and edit details are here. I have several slots for one-off mentoring and submission package review at the end of August, and can take on one new mentee in September. This is a good time to ask me about edits and manuscript assessments, especially if you have a date when you think you might be ready. Email me!
I have a bit of an ambivalent relationship with summer (must it be so hot?!) but it’s definitely easy on the eye.
That’s it for this week! No newsletter next week, as I’ll be away, starting work in earnest on The Next Book. See you in a fortnight, for a sad tale of over-confidence, and probably photos of some lovely Welsh skies.
Be well, stay well, my friends,
Stephanie x
*No-one. No-one could ask for more than a pear that also looks like a penguin.
**Mine was not as beautiful as the one on the website. My guess is that Ottolenghi’s chives are not regularly galloped over by 32 kilos of greyhound in cheerful pursuit of a ball.
***Of which more soon. I’ve seen the rough of the cover and it’s BEAUTIFUL!
Tell it to the Bees has a gorgeous cover. These books are all new to me. Happy reading and writing!
My sister in law once made us poached pairs covered in chocolate and the three of them looked like penguins! Brought back memories 😅