Big London Dreams was my 19th lesbian romance novel, but the first one set in any other time but the present day. Writing an historical novel scared me at first, but then I decided to do what scared me. I gave myself extra time to do the research and editing, and a little bit more to get over my publishing nerves. Now I’ve done it, what are my key takeaways?
The wait is nearly over: just one week until my new lesbian romance hits the shelves! July 28th is the date when the ebook and paperback will be on sale, so mark your calendar! If you can’t wait that long for the story of Eunice and Joan in late 1950s London, here are the first two chapters to get you in the mood. When you’ve read them, why not pre-order straight away to ensure you can read on come July 28th….
It’s true what they say, people really do judge a book by its cover. You’ve done the hard work writing it in the first place, so don’t stop there. Go the extra mile and get a professional cover. The good news? Professional covers don’t have to cost the earth. Read on for more… Continue reading » “Top Tips: Get A Professional Cover”
I’ve been banging on about getting my books out in different languages for a while now, and I’ve only gone and done it again! I’m thrilled to let you know that Das Gefuhl Von Liebe – the German version of A Taste Of Love – is out now!
This lesbian romance is set in the Cotswolds, and features gin lover Natalie Hill and her new ice cream-toting neighbour, Ellie Knap. It’s an enemies-to-lovers small-town story packed with passion, and I hope it fills your summer with lashings of German love!
Check out the blurb and the places you can buy it by clicking here.
Welcome to episode 70 of the Lesbian Book Club, where I interview UK author Rosie Wilby. Rosie is an award-winning comedian, author and podcaster whose first book was entitled Is Monogamy Dead? She just released her second book, The Break-Up Monologues, asking what we can learn from heartache and how it can teach us so much about ourselves and relationships. It’s a funny and honest delve into the human psyche and what it takes to stay in a relationship for all the right reasons.
I also do a run-down of the Amazon Lesbian Fiction charts in the US & UK, as well as updating you on the latest news of lesbian fiction conferences & awards season. I hope you enjoy!
Happy Pride Month! To celebrate, I’m doing a 25% off all my books for sale on my web shop. All you need to do is head over there, select the books you want, then check out using the coupon code HAPPYPRIDE.
Nearly my whole back catalogue is there, including all the London Romance books and boxsets, the All I Want series and boxsets, as well as six standalone novels: Before You Say I Do, Christmas In Mistletoe, You’re My Kind, Twice In A Lifetime, The Long Weekend and Nothing To Lose. What are you waiting for? Go stock up on lesbian romance and make Pride month that little bit happier. Sale ends June 30th, use the code HAPPYPRIDE at checkout. Happy reading!
April and May have been big months for audio, with two of my lesbian romances hitting the virtual audio shelves! The Long Weekend and Hot London Nights are now available for you to stream into your ears, and they’re for sale or rent wherever audiobooks are sold or streamed. Plus, you can order them from your local library for free, too! Find out more here.
You’ve written a book. Congratulations! You’ve done an amazing thing. Pop some fizz, soak up the applause, and then turn your attention to the next conundrum. How do you launch it? Getting attention on the various bookseller platforms isn’t easy, but here are some things you can do… Continue reading » “Top Tips: How To Launch A Book”
“Write what you know.” It’s the first advice given to new writers, but it’s invariably bad advice if you take it literally. Write what you know doesn’t mean your story has to be a carbon copy of your life. Nobody wants to read that, trust me.
On the contrary, ‘write what you know’ means you have to examine what you know, and also what you can research or learn. Because once you research or learn something, then you know it. Write what you know means you can literally write about anything, so long as you prepare.
Write what you know it also about experience and emotion. So yes, write about your dad’s red Ford Cortina estate with the traffic-light air freshener. Write about the fear of walking into your first gay bar. Write about the gut-wrenching pain you felt when that first woman broke your heart. But also, write about women from 1958, as I am in my upcoming lesbian romance, Big London Dreams. I wasn’t alive then, but I know how it feels to kiss a woman for the first time. To dance with a woman. I can put a magnifying glass on those emotions to hold the reader in the story, then shade in the period details once I’ve researched them.
Don’t be scared to write eras you haven’t lived, jobs you’ve never done, a gender you’ve never lived. Do the research, put yourself in the character’s shoes and truly feel their life. Then you can write what you know, because you know.