Dear All
Happy new year! It’s fair to say I have been a little remiss with these newsletters since October but, given the time of year I imagine you’ve had better things to do than read my nonsense anyway. Now, in the cold light (or rather, dark) of January, perhaps you’ll find time to snuggle up with me by the fire for a couple of minutes and indulge me while I take stock of 2025, and give you a bit of insight into what lies ahead.
At the close of 2024, I decided, in the absence of a book deal coming to fruition (despite coming annoyingly close) that I would become a hybrid author, self publishing as well as continuing to pursue traditional deals. As a result of that decision, I scheduled Kiss, Marry, Murder for a May publication and in the five months that followed I went on a hugely steep learning curve to discover just how much work is involved in making a book successful when you have to do it all yourself! But I did it! And I’m really grateful for all the support from the many people who helped me get there as well as proud and relieved to be back to the business of publishing books again.
I spent most of the late spring and early summer promoting KMM through launch events, signings and workshops – my favourite part of the process. There is nothing I love more than an audience lol. And that energy channeled SO much creativity that while production and pre-launch marketing of Kiss, Marry, Murder continued, I finished another book I’d been working on for the past year! It’s a standalone, grittier than my previous works with some darker humour thrown in — a gangland style story about an all-female mafia family, set in late 1990s Essex. Super fun to write, hopefully fun to read. Watch this space…
With two huge projects complete, summer provided an opportunity to chill and think about what was next. In the world of writing, walking away from being agented is considered to be completely crazy but I have known for a while I needed a new energy and a change of pace. So in September I started to look for a new parter with my now-polished manuscript. I am still on submission with a few agents, hoping one will land and veer wildly between being very positive about this process and wondering what on earth I am doing. I suspect this seesaw of emotions will probably continue until someone says yes…
In the meantime, to stop me from obsessively checking my inbox, I set myself the challenge to write another book in 60 working days… and succeeded! This is by far the shortest amount of time I’ve ever spent on a first draft, but the sequel to Kiss, Marry, Murder is now looking pretty ship shape and I’m planning an April release. It feels good to get another book out there – even if I’m currently wondering how I’ll ever have the energy to do it all again so soon!
So what does 2026 hold, then, apart from the publication of Little Grey Cells? Well, I’m going to be appearing at the Bournemouth Writing Festival in the spring and at the Great Dunmow BookFest in June, as well as teaching a few workshops and hopefully getting some book signing opportunities for Little Grey Cells as well. Writing wise I am currently torn between wanting to get the third in the Jessica Sinclair series, Murder Most Unholy, written in time for a pre-Christmas release, and putting a shiny new idea on paper. The shiny new idea is a big one, and it’s going to take a lot of thinking and research before I can start. I know the right option is to write book 3 before summer for release in late October. This would mean I can start the new project in the autumn knowing the Sinclair series is done (for now!). But it’s really hard to sit on a new idea so let’s see if I can resist the temptation…
Have a great January. And if you want to hibernate with a good book or some great tv, here’s my faves this month.
WHAT I’M READING THIS MONTH I finished a great audio book in December which I’m basically recommending to (or buying for) everyone.
The Measure is a really interesting, beautiful, sometimes ugly book about family, friendship and human nature. It interweaves the lives of several people in a study of life, love and death exploring how moments, big and small, can impact and change the meaning of life even without changing the course of it. It’s touching and lovely and even if you usually don’t go for that sort of thing, you should give it a go!
WHAT I’M WATCHING THIS MONTH I think the question might be more a case of what haven’t I watched lol. Slow Horses, The Morning Show, Pluribus and Palm Royale have all been stand out for me (thanks AppleTV); Emily in Paris was not. Although I still prefer it to Nobody Wants This which I just find really annoying and not funny or charming. Actually that goes for both but Emily in Paris doesn’t seem to set expectations to be either funny or charming so it’s somehow a lot more bearable…
If you’re asking me to pick just one I’m going to assume you’ve already watched Slow Horses but might not have picked up on Pluribus yet. It’s glorious and heart breaking, and so darkly funny… what starts as a sort of sci-fi type premise is actually a study on the human condition (do you sense a theme this month?!) and stars a mid-life woman which should be reason enough to give it a go. Give it a go!
WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS MONTH In general, this month is about laying the foundations for the spring launch: getting the book finished and off to the editor and proofreader, and then gearing up for publication: getting the pre-launch marketing started, approving the cover, booking a launch venue, blog tour, and starting to build a bit of momentum for the spring campaign. What I’m looking forward to? Getting the front cover, of course!
AND FINALLY … You may have noticed my website’s had a bit of a makeover so check it out and subscribe if you haven’t already to receive these newsletters by email – and perhaps a few exclusives nearer publication of Little Grey Cells. The observant amongst you will also note that Kiss, Marry, Murder is on sale via several new outlets now, including the e-book on Kobo and paperback with The Great British Bookshop. I know I sound like a broken record but if you haven’t yet left a star rating or review anywhere online, it would be really appreciated and make a huge difference to my book being seen. In addition, please do share a recommendation on your own social media and tag me @writerfaye (Insta) or @fayebrannwriter (FaceBook). I am truly grateful for every single piece of support you can offer. And, if you’ve never read my award-winning debut Tinker, Tailor, Schoolmum, Spy, why not check it out as well?
Have a peaceful January!
Faye x
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