I had a lot of fun writing this guest post for the great website MG Book Village, which is dedicated to celebrating middle grade fiction. Here are the opening lines: “Most authors have some sense of who their audience will be when they write a novel, and I certainly did with The Mad Wolf’s Daughter: I… Read more »
My Books
Musings on Publication
I’m a week out from the publication of my debut novel The Mad Wolf’s Daughter. And I’ve been reflecting on how I got here, and what it’s meant. I’ve been writing novels since I was 14 years old. My early novels were fantasy adventures, and I had my characters do things that I dreamed I could… Read more »
Author Copies
The exciting moment when I get home from work after a long day and discover three boxes from Penguin Random House containing the author copies of my first book…
Now Presenting…My Book Trailer!
I’m rather chuffed at how well this came out. See what you think! Thanks so much again to Antonio Javier Caparo for the art that is making these first glimpses of my book sing!
Castle Scenes: Part 3
This is Part 3 and final installment of a series of posts about how I’ve been inspired by Scottish castles to create scenes in my novels. We visit Dirleton Castle in Dirleton, East Lothian for this one. Here I introduce Lord Faintree’s solar: The solar is where the lord, lady, or master of a castle lives. It’s… Read more »
The Mad Wolf’s Daughter…Read Aloud
If you’ve met me in person, you’ve probably heard me go on a bit about Scotland. (And if you know me on social media, you’ve seen that too.) So, with my book placed in 1210 on the Scottish lowlands (most the Borders and the coast), it should come as no surprise that I was hoping… Read more »
Author Copy
A special book was waiting for me at home on Friday after work…and was quite an incredible surprise. I saw the book-shaped padded envelope from my publisher, had a pretty good idea of what it might be, and asked my son to open the package. His grin grew wider and wider as he did. He’s… Read more »
Preorder Giveaway!
Thank you to everyone who has shown interest and enthusiasm for The Mad Wolf’s Daughter. It’s so exciting (and a bit unbelievable) that my wee lass’s tale is so close to being in print. Its publication date, March 6, 2018, is coming right up! I’m offering a special preorder thanks/giveaway with various tangible objects related… Read more »
Castle Scenes: Part 2
This is the second post in a series of how I’ve discovered crucial details within the castles of Scotland to inspire a scene in my fiction. Today’s post is about doors. This door is from Tantallon Castle near North Berwick. I like the solid wood of it (oak, I assume, as my castle’s door is),… Read more »
Starred Review from Publishers Weekly
It’s been another exciting day for this debut writer! I woke up to find my very first starred review in this lovely piece from Publisher’s Weekly. Here’s the takeaway line: “Empathetic, bold, and entirely herself at a time when women were dismissed as weak, Drest shines in this fast-paced adventure.” Now, book review stars, as my… Read more »
These lilacs have the most glorious scent, but are pretty modest in their way. The former colleague I lost over the weekend to cancer would have liked them for both those reasons.
#flowers #grief #lilacs
It’s been a tough week. A moment with a few flowers can make a difference.
#flowers #azalea #springflowers