Dear All,
Well, it’s been a BIG month! For any of you who’ve not noticed, Kiss, Marry, Murder hit the shelves last week, and the build up to publication day was intense, exhilarating and just a little bit knackering! I like to think it’s gone well – certainly I’ve really enjoyed getting back out into bookshops for signing events and am flattered by the wonderful reviews coming in so far and the general level of enthusiasm for the book. Now all I need to do is figure out how to translate that into more sales!
June is National Crime Reading Month, so I’ll be getting involved in a few events to celebrate. I’m delighted to be a guest on the Write and Wrong podcast later this month – as well as running writing workshops for the King’s Arts Festival in Wimbledon. In terms of writing – aside from getting KMM out, this year has mainly consisted of intense editing of a manuscript that’s now going on submission to publishers in the hope of a new book deal. With these big projects now largely off my plate it’s time for me to start something fresh. I’ve already begun roughing out the second book of the Jessica Sinclair Mysteries series, with the intention of an early 2026 release, and I’m excited to get started on this new adventure over the summertime!
It would be remiss of me not to remind you that Kiss, Marry, Murder is on sale via Amazon and also to order through most bookshops across the UK, North America and beyond. If you do read it and particularly if you enjoy it, please leave a review on whatever platform you are comfortable with. It makes an enormous difference to the visibility of the book and is much appreciated.
WHAT I’M READING THIS MONTH I have been reading ‘The Women’ – a fantastic novel by Kristin Hannah, recommended to me by the lovely people at Barnes Bookshop where I had my launch last week. It’s a bit of a departure from my usual preferred genres but still with a suitably feminist overtone and a fascinating look at the lives of the nurses serving in Vietnam during the war. It’s gritty, real, heartbreaking and thrilling – a book that has really stayed with me. I thoroughly recommend it.
WHAT I’M WATCHING THIS MONTH Most of my time lately has consisted of slaving over social media but when I’m not staring into the Insta-abyss, I’ve very much enjoyed ‘The Residence’, a brilliant and witty whodunnit currently streaming on Netflix. With loads of borderline ridiculous twists and turns, a sharp, joyful script and some wonderfully clever tongue-in-cheek performances it was right up my street and kept me guessing all the way until the end!
WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS MONTH Sunshine! Tennis! End of exam season! Live music! Outdoor theatre! There are SO many reasons to be cheerful this month, it’s my very favourite time of year to be in London and my diary is packed out. As well as being National Crime Reading Month, there’s also a bunch of other ‘significant days’ I’ll be celebrating in honour of Kiss, Marry, Murder, including National Fish and Chip Day on 6th June, and National Writing Day on 23rd. I’m also meeting up with my wonderful Comedy Women in Print sisters ‘CWIPsters’ Kathleen Whyman and Nancy Peach, which is always one of my very favourite ‘working brunches’. Plus visiting some more bookshops to sign copies of Kiss, Marry, Murder!
AND FINALLY … I’m now available for book club nights, blogs, podcast and workshop opportunities. If you would like me to come along and talk about my books, writing mid-life female characters, writing through play, or generally about life, the menopause and everything, please get in touch at fayebrannwriter@gmail.com. If you’re part of a bookclub, visit my ‘books’ pages on the website and download a bookclub pack for either Kiss, Marry, Murder or Tinker, Tailor, Schoolmum, Spy. They contain some discussion questions about the book, a short essay from me and MOST importantly, a cocktail recipe!
Have a wonderful June!
Faye x
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