Like most writers I have to squeeze my writing in between the day job, the house and the family, and that often leaves little time for reading other than during the holidays. For many years I found it hard to read at all when I was writing, as I couldn’t keep the stories separate in my head, but – thankfully – that’s improved and I can now do both. However, fitting in all the reading I wanted was still a challenge. So many great books and so little time!

All that changed in 2019 as a result of a surprise Christmas gift from my son. He bought me a subscription to Audible.

I have a 45-minute driving commute, and I wondered how well I would get on with listening whilst negotiating the A4 heading towards London. I started listening to books that I already knew and loved so that I wouldn’t worry if I got distracted and missed a bit. I soon moved onto new books though, and started racing through them. At my daughter’s suggestion I listened at x1.25 speed, which kept the voices OK but stepped up the pace. I developed a habit of listening through each book first to get the story and then listening again to learn about the structure, the characterisation, the ‘show not tell’ and all the other writer’s tricks.

I started to listen not just on my commute, but when I was gardening or doing the housework – suddenly the place was clean! Yesterday I looked at the app and saw that I had spent 460 hours listening to books this year – time which I didn’t know I had. That’s over 19 full days. I’ve not had to stop writing or doing any of the other things I would usually do. It’s as if I’ve ben given a gift of free reading time.

The books I’ve read and listened to are below. If I had to pick a favourite of the ones new to me this year, I’d have to select those that I listened to first, then felt compelled to buy in hard copy too – Sweet Sorrow, by David Nicholls, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz, by Heather Morris.

 

Paperbacks/hardbacks:

 

Machines like me, Ian McEwan

After the End, Clare Mackintosh

A God in Ruins, Kate Atkinson

Outsider, Stephen King

The Last, Hanna Jameson

The Boy Who Flew, Fleur Hitchcock

Anna at War, Helen Peters

Meat Market, Juno Dawson

The Secrets We Kept, Lara Prescott

Sweet Sorrow, David Nicholls

The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris

Unnatural Causes, Richard Shepherd

Breaking and Mending, Joanna Cannon

Danse Macabre, Stephen King

 

Currently in progress:

Cilka’s Journey Heather Morris

The Remarkable Life of the Skin, Monty Lyman

 

Audio books:

(Listed by date of most recent purchase)

 

For Emily, Katherine Slee

Don’t Think a Single Thought, Diana Cambridge

The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neil Gaiman

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Book 5, J.K. Rowling

The Good Samaritan, John Marrs

The Institute, Stephen King

The Power, Naomi Alderman

The Perfect Wife, JP Delaney

Nine Perfect Strangers, Liane Moriarty

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Book 4, J.K. Rowling

Sweet Sorrow, David Nicholls

Firestarter, Stephen King

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Book 3, J.K. Rowling

Career of Evil: Cormoran Strike, Book 3, Robert Galbraith

The Silkworm: Cormoran Strike, Book 2, Robert Galbraith

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2, J.K. Rowling

The Cuckoo’s Calling: Cormoran Strike, Book 1, Robert Galbraith

Lethal White: Cormoran Strike, Book 4, Robert Galbraith

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty

The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris

The Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger

The Stand, Stephen King

The War of the Worlds, H. G. Wells

 

Today, in 2011, Small Blue Thing was published after a whirlwind year of edits, choosing covers, translations and photoshoots. I had never expected to write a book of any kind, never mind one that ended up as award winning, or that I’d be voted as finalist (twice!) for the awesome Queen of Teen. It was the start of a new chapter in my life. I’ve now had four books for teens published, written one other (still at first draft) and currently have my debut adult thriller out with agents. I still have my day job, as most authors do, but I have a fantastic new passion and have met some brilliant people. I’ve also discovered a love for school visits. There is nothing quite like a room of 400 kids to focus the attention, and I’m constantly amazed at the questions they can come up with!
My publisher, Nosy Crow, is also seven today, as Small Blue Thing was their launch publication. They have gone from strength to strength, and I’m really proud to have been part of their journey. (Their latest news is here.)
So if you have been one of the many readers who have contacted me over the years, thank you. Your feedback is more precious than you know. Happy Birthday, Small Blue Thing – I can’t wait to see what the next seven years bring!

If you’ve read any of my books you might have noticed a theme running through them – each one has a dog featured somewhere. I wrote the first one before I had a dog – my parents were always much more fond of cats – but eventually my children wore me down and I agreed. Within a flash Bailey was part of the family. She has invaded my life and my heart, and I thought you might like to meet her.

 

What sort of family are you – dog or cat?

I’m delighted to be able to finally announce that I’m going to be participating in YA Shot this year. This is a huge event on October 22nd, and it’s open to all. A link to the site is here, and a summary of what’s happening is below. I’ll give you’re info as I get it, and I hope I’ll see some of you there!

 

YA Shot is an author-run, author-led Young Adult and Middle Grade festival that raises the money and resources to run a year-long programme pairing libraries and schools for free author events to foster a love of reading, inspire a passion for writing, and encourage aspirations to careers in the Arts. We believe in equal access to books and opportunities for all – YA Shot brings UKYA and UKMG authors together to pursue that goal, supporting libraries and young people across the country. At present, we’re a not-for-profit organisation but we’re seeking to become a charity.

YA Shot is a one-day annual festival based in the centre of Uxbridge (London). The 2016 festival will take place on Saturday 22nd October 2016. Around 70 authors are involved in a programme of workshop, panel and ‘in conversation’ events (plus book-signing sessions) in the Uxbridge Civic Centre, Waterstone’s Uxbridge and Uxbridge Library. There is also a programme of fantastic blogging and vlogging workshops. YA Shot is run in partnership with Hillingdon Borough Libraries and Waterstone’s Uxbridge.

I was really chuffed to hear that The Beneath has been longlisted for the Amazing Book Awards being held by the Sussex Coast Schools – it’s great to be part of such a brilliant list. See who I’m up against –

The shortlist will be announced in the next few days, and – whoever makes it through – I’m so proud to be included. These awards are voted for by the students themselves, not the teachers or the librarians, and that makes being a part of it even more special. Details of the award and the process are here.

So thank you, Sussex. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I make it onto the shortlist!

I hope you’ve had a great Christmas – mine has been really busy with lots of family things. I’m sorry that I’ve not had much time to post on here recently, but along with all the family stuff I’ve been busy writing a new book. In fact, I’ve been so busy with all of it that I’ve pretty much had to abandon social media. It’s amazing how much more time I’ve got in my day to crack on with everything else.
But I just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year. Thank you for all your support in 2015 and I hope to speak with and meet lots more of you in 2016!

Next Saturday – on the 10th October – there is a brilliant UK YA event going on in Nottingham. Around 30 authors – including me – are going to be at the main Waterstones store, talking, answering questions, signing books and providing cake!

The day starts at 1pm, and there will be a series of panels throughout the afternoon. Groups of four authors will say a bit about themselves and their books, and will then answer questions. I’m on with a great crowd – David Owen, Helen Grant and CJ Skuse. I can’t wait! The full  line-up is shown below. I bet some of your favourites are on there.

There are still a few tickets left (only £3 – that’s just 10p per author 🙂 ), so if you can be in Nottingham next weekend, we’d love to meet you. Just call the number on the poster below.

 

 

Amber is a blogger who loves books and wants to be a writer, but she can no longer go to school. I’m supporting her in her quest to find the funding to get an education.

You can read all about her story here.

She’s giving away some fabulous things to entice you to spare a few pounds, including some of my books ( – signed too!). The copy of The Beneath has already been snaffled, but an opportunity to get your hands on a signed copy of Small Blue Thing will be on the site shortly. Follow the link above to the crowdfunding site to see all the details, or check out her award-winning book blog – the Mile Long Bookshelf.

Go and have a look, and if you can spare it, please invest in Amber. Help to give a girl an education.

 

I’m sure that you’ve seen all the brilliant stuff which has been going on under the banner of UKYA, and now we have another exciting initiative – our very own UKYA shop!

Organised by the fabulous Susie Day, you can buy various branded items – T-shirts, tote bags, phone cases, and lots and lots of different mugs, each with a quote from one of your favorite UKYA authors. I was given the chance to provide my favourite quote from the book, and after much pondering, decided on the moment when Callum first speaks to Alex.

So if you’d like to be drinking your tea out out of a rather special Small Blue Thing mug, you can find it in the on-line shop here.

And check out all the other merchandise available here.