The wonderful thing about having a book out at the start of the summer is the number of exciting moments it brings throughout the spring. A personal highlight for this past month has been attending the Bournemouth Writing Festival and delivering a really fun workshop on ‘Writing Through Play’ which saw the participants exploring spontaneity, originality, character development and story. I learn something new every time I deliver this workshop and this was no exception. A huge thank you to the Bournemouth Writing Festival for having me – and to anyone who wants to hone their craft, this is a truly excellent festival to head to next year, in a stunning setting – highly recommend!
The other thing that’s been happening is a bit of a Kiss, Marry, Murder renaissance, in preparation for book 2 in the series coming out next month. It’s been lovely to read the reviews from the bookstagrammers who have taken part in the blog tour this week and remember what made readers smile the first time around! Hopefully its introduced a few new people to the series, too. Little Grey Cells is out on 2nd June 2026 so whether you are new to me as an author or a long-time ‘fan’, if it tickles your fancy, please consider pre-ordering here. Pre-orders largely dictate the enthusiasm that the algorithm has for any given product, so it’s not just vanity that I’m asking. It can really help to boost the book beyond my current audience, so do think about buying a copy before June if you’re able.
The last week has been pretty quiet for me while I recover from a shoulder operation, but I have consumed a lot of books and tv as a result! Here’s my picks based on last month’s reading, listening and watching. Have a super May!
WHAT I’M READING THIS MONTH Another fellow Comedy Women in Print author Nancy Peach has her new book coming out very soon, entitled, rather appropriately, My Big Fat Empty Nest.
This is the third book Nancy has written in the ‘mid life women’ theme and each one has been very different from the last but they all resonate with what often feels like very personal voice to capture the difficult landscape of being a perimenopausal woman with a job, marriage, ageing parents and children to juggle – and what this costs us in terms of identity, relationships and control over our own lives. It’s all seen through a bittersweet, and often highly comic lens, and if you’re anywhere near this stage in your life, I highly recommend you take a look. Thanks for letting me read this advance copy, Nancy, and good luck with the launch!
WHAT I’M WATCHING THIS MONTH A lot. Not a lot of great stuff, I’ll admit… but there’s potential for greatness as Apple TV brings back ‘Your Friends and Neighbours’ with John Hamm for a second series (which I’m much preferring to the first) and the rather brilliant Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ which I’m very much enjoying as the series develops. Also on my watchlist has been the final season of ‘The Boys’ which seems to have had it’s day, if I’m honest… see also Greys Anatomy season 354 which ended with somewhat of a whimper this week, finally shedding two of the most boring character arcs of all time THANK GOD. I have loved Grey’s forever, but it looks like such a weak, insipid, dated delivery in comparison to The Pitt – which I was lucky enough to catch last summer in the US and am much enjoying watching again – Season 2 will likely be my recommend of the year when it is finally concluded.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS MONTH Starting a new project, which is bubbling away in the background already… although the lead up to my book launch is happening and that’s really what it’s all about! Follow me @writerfaye on Instagram for unboxing vids in surgical stockings, launch events and lots of excitement. Next time I write, I’ll be a published author all over again!
Have a sunny, sparky rest of the month
Faye x
Discover more from FAYE BRANN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.