Welcome to the new BOOKY podcast - guess who is my first guest?
Plus: Simon & Schuster turns 100, The Bath Novel Award, Aye Write cancelled, The Lowry’s annual Creative Writing Challenge, write on The Royal Mile & what I'm reading
My dear wordsmiths,
It’s finally here! What feels like years after coming up with the concept of a books and authors podcast BOOKY has finally launched. We uploaded episode one to all your favourite podcast providers today. It features a chat with the amazing Milly Johnson who says ‘I’m not a natural writer’ yet she’s sold three million books!
How to listen:
Here is the link via Podfollow - this essentially links you to your preferred podcast provider. LISTEN TO BOOKY HERE I would massively appreciate a subscribe and a follow, we have many more amazing guests from across the UK and across the genres, lined up with nine episodes already recorded. You’ll need a cosy ‘Booky nook’ to settle into with a cuppa or download and listen while you get your steps in. Enjoy and please share both the pod and this newsletter if you enjoy it.
A little about the lovely Milly. If you’ve been here a while you’ll know she’s an alumna of Write Reject Repeat and full of fantastic advice for writers. A champion for the north and for women’s fiction, Milly was born and raised in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and is adored by her readers. Her books are absolute page turners which do not shy away from tackling difficult issues and challenges within relationships and modern life whilst celebrating the importance of friendship and community. She talks all about her road to publication - and in case you didn’t realise - she also once won Come Dine With Me! Her latest novel The Happiest Ever After is now available and is a must read.
I just need to say a huge thanks to Milly and her publicists Annabelle and and Katie at EDPR (also congrats to Annabelle on the exciting new job). And I also want to mention the podcast is far from a one woman job so thanks to podcast producer, the award-winning Kelly Crichton (standing joke as I always describe her as that), and Simon Cutler who is behind the design. Also thanks to everyone who put up with me banging on about a books podcast for what feel like 100 years.
Just to mention the podcast is being produced via my day job as an editor at National World PLC (I’m editor in chief for the north - across nine brands) and all of our titles across the UK are kindly sharing promo duties. The pod is also available via video on Daily Motion HERE - live Friday - and it will also be on You Tube.
What I’m reading:
I’ve just started Tales from the dance floor by Sacha Lord with Luke Bainbridge. This was sent to me by Harper North ahead of publication on April 11 - but if ever there was a book chronicling ‘my era’ this is it. He should have consulted me really! Sacha is the co-founder of the Warehouse Project and Parklife festival, and his name is synonymous with the vibrant nightlife of Manchester including Sankeys and The Hacienda.
Now advisor for the night-time economy to Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, this book chronicles Sacha’s stories along the way from working with music icons (The Prodigy, Fat Boy Slim ..it goes on) and the strife from being shot in a drive-by shooting to dealing with the criminal underworld. But essentially it’s a love letter to Manchester and as Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays) comments “fills in a few blanks.” (If you know, you know).
News, events and opportunities for writers and journalists
Write your novel on The Royal Mile: Writers have the chance to get paid to work from one of the most prestigious hot desks in Edinburgh via the Writer’s Trust. The Writer’s Room is a private space in the office of the Edinburgh City of Literature Trust, on the top floor of John Knox House on the Royal Mile. The Trust is partnering with the Society of Authors in Scotland and the Scottish BPOC Network “to find authors who would benefit most, including working-class, diverse, and other under-represented writers”.
The Lowry’s annual Creative Writing Challenge (CWC): There’s just 4 weeks left for Greater Manchester children aged 7-11 to enter. Aimed at amplifying the voices of children from across Greater Manchester and celebrating children’s creativity and imagination, Creative Writing Challenge entries can include poetry, short stories and stage text.
Simon and Schuster turns 100: The company, which started as a publisher of crossword puzzles, is celebrating a century in 2024 and the celebrations began with the release of the Simon & Schuster 100, a selection of 100 titles the company has published over its history. This week, on April 8th, a birthday gala will be held at New York City’s Town Hall with more than 30 of their authors in attendance.
Aye Write cancelled: The book festival ‘Aye Write’ in Glasgow has been cancelled for 2024 after a funding bid to Creative Scotland failed. The event, which has been running since 2005, attracts leading authors to venues like the Mitchell Library to discuss their work. Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, comedian Janey Godley, and author Ian Rankin are among those who have appeared at the festival.
The Bath Novel award 2024: In its 10th year, the awards are open and accepting entries from un-agented authors who may be unpublished, self published or independently published. With a deadline of the 31st May, you must supply the first 5,000 words plus one page synopsis - your finished novel must be minimum 50,000 words in any genre. First prize is £5,000 and all shortlisted authors will get a full manuscript feedback. Entry is £29.99 with sponsored places for writers on a low income.
As always, keep on reading and writing and don’t forget to subscribe and send in your useful nuggets. Have a peaceful week, Nicola x