A dog of our acquaintance is being Very Brave even though he has a sore paw. Here he is, looking at it, as though he cannot believe it has let him down, or that the vet thinks it is a mere sprain whereas he is convinced he is at death’s door.
(He arranged that cushion himself, by the way.)
The vet wondered if Harris had exerted himself. What do we think, friends?
I have filled in the hole (again) and scattered the grass seed (again) and am hoping for the best* (again).
This morning, I sent back the final final comments on the final final page proofs of A BOOKSHOP SUMMER. I always think this is going to be a big moment, but actually, it always feels fine: I think because I have learned, over the years and over the novels, that there comes a moment when I have told the story I want to tell, or at least got as close to telling that story as I possibly can. There’s a point at which I stop improving what’s there and am simply changing it, and that’s the time to stop.
This feels like a good time to have another look at the cover, no?
I love this SO MUCH. It’s so cheerful and beautiful and has real pickupability**.My only quibble is that when I was asked to sign it off I said I was happy on condition that someone came to my house and built this exact book nook. Apparently my editor thought I was not serious. Sigh.
Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered. I am so grateful to you. (Your local indie bookseller will happily order it for you, or you can find it at amazon uk, amazon US, bookshop.org and Waterstones.)
Remember I told you that I have not, in fact, knitted two green cardigans/sweaters in as many weeks, but it’s going to look like it? Behold:
And the back (with dog assistant):
I am going to get a lot of wear from this: shawl-ish but more secure, a good colour for going with pretty much everything I own.***
Info for knitters: this is the pattern, this is the yarn. I sized down because I wanted something less voluminous.
Sometimes, when I have knitted a Big Thing, I then feel the need to knit a Little Thing, as a sort of palate-cleanser. For example, a mini Emotional Support Chicken****.
I bought the kit at Lucy Locket Land when I did an event with their book group. I also bought the sock kit, complete with hand-dyed yarn, that is inspired by ‘Found In A Bookshop’: there are a handful left, here. Let me know if you make some! (It’s a double-knit sock pattern, so they will be done in no time, I promise*****.)
Several delightful parters, friends, parents and children have bought places on workshops for the writer in their life for Christmas gifts. Details are here: let me know if you would like to book, for yourself or someone else, and we’ll sort it. (I’ll send a pretty card with the details, too, so your giftee has Something To Open.)
I have space to do one edit or manuscript assessment (details on this page) between now and the end of the year… is this space for your novel or memoir? If so, reply to this email and we’ll set up a no-obligation chat. (If you’ve already been in touch, don’t worry, I am holding a space for you.)
I’m also able to take on one mentee before Christmas and one in January - let me know if this could be you!
And booking is open for January, February and March manuscript assessments, developmental edits and line edits. A deposit secures your place.******
And finally, Baking News. This week I had a Baking Disaster.
This is not a great angle as you can’t see quite how spectacularly sunken the sunken bit is. Also, it tasted awful, so I couldn’t even fill the centre with cooked apple and call it Autumn Pudding. I’m not going to share the recipe as I’m sure the faults were all mine. Too heavy handed on the baking powder and the caraway seeds, I suspect.
I also made this, which I cut up before I took a photo:
It’s a nutmeg cake, but I promise it is not too nutmeg. It’s just sort of…warm and a bit different, but in a good way. I over-swirled my meringue a bit compared to the original - you’ll find a photo and the recipe here.
Until next time, friends, be well. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, may I recommend custard, porridge, and getting your thick black tights out? It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which is to say, Reading Season. (Only kidding. Every season is reading season. Maybe we should call it People Leave You Alone To Read Indoors Instead Of Trying To Make You Go Outside For Fun Season.)
Love,
Stephanie x
*in the form of cold, hard November ground
**I promise I once heard someone in publishing use this word.
***autumn colours and denim, essentially
****Yes, it is called that. Hooray!
*****I cast on on Sunday and am half way down both legs already.
******a word to the wise: booking always goes a bit mad in January