Great chat this evening with Lucy Nichol for New Writing North & Northumberland Libraries’ #NorthernBookshelf event to talk mental health, ‘90s Brit Pop, writing cracking characters, small press vs mainstream publishing & new book #NoWorriesIfNot 📚

Thanks to Lucy & all those who came along!

Big thanks to author & lecturer Chris Chris Stokel-Walker for tonight’s insightful & inspiring (if not somewhat alarming) event on the history, facts, benefits & dangers of AI.

Thanks also to Kay The Lit and Phil for having us, & special kudos to the audience for the great questions at the end!

AUTHOR EVENT: I’m going to be chatting to James from Opt Indie Books tomorrow eve (Tues) at Blyth Library about why we are obsessed with saying ‘sorry’, writing comedy & being an author.

Do come along if you can 👇🏻

Northumberland County Council Discover Northumberland Northumberland Live
eventbrite.co.uk/e/blyth-librar…

Backstory magazine launched last year as an extension to Tom Rowley’s indie gem Backstory | London bookshop. Issue 2 features Hollie McNish, Julia Armfield, Sophie Mackintosh & others.

Get yours from your favourite local bookseller while the sun lasts… or anytime after for that matter! 📚

From the mountains of upcoming indie releases we’ve handpicked some stellar new books from the likes of Fly on the Wall Press, Tilted Axis, Sort of Books, Aurum & Foundry Editions and they’re now up on our website for your perusal.

Get ready to discover your next favourite read!

Right, what you up to on Tues 14th May at 7pm?

That's right, you're coming to #Blyth Library to see Lucy Nichol in conversation with James Routledge as part of #NorthernBookshelfLive .

Not got your ticket yet? Click here: bit.ly/4beZhUe

New Writing North Opt Indie Books

Take a deep-dive into the art of book subscriptions, indie publishing and reviving old favourites, house band collaborations, book fest highlights, balancing BA bureaucracy, and more with Mr B's Emporium!

Head to Opt Indie for the final chapter of this week’s #BookshopSpotlight

A great evening in conversation with the inimitable A. McCall Smith, talking new books, Scottish tapestries, fictional dinner parties, new poems on the art of tennis, @ much more.

Big thanks to The Lit and Phil for having us, Sandy & Alan for the chat, and to all who bought a book! 📚

In case you missed it over the Bank Holiday, catch Part 1 of our #BookshopSpotlight interview with Nic Mr B's Emporium where we discuss the importance of community to indie bookshops, events, championing favourite reads, & more.

🔗: optindiebooks.co.uk/mr-bs-emporium…

Part 2 is coming soon!

“It is a fable for our times.

The best thing he’s written… It’s unique & different to anything else being published” - Kevin Duffy Bluemoose Books

It’s the one you’ve all been waiting for!

We know what we’ll be reading this Bank Holiday, what about you?

Mumblin' Deaf Ro ⛰️📚

“We’ve got to be proud of what a bunch of knowledgeable geeks we all are.”

We had so much fun chatting with Mr B's Emporium‘s Nic Bottomley that this week’s #BookshopSpotlight rolled over into two parts.

Put your feet up this Bank Holiday & head to optindiebooks.co.uk 📚🛁

Get all the book and bookshop goss from me here 🤭🤫

In case you missed it, this week’s Books, Unpacked episode features author & Sam Read Bookseller co-owner Polly Atkin, talking new books, their publishing journey - from Seren to Saraband Books & Sceptre Books - and more.

Head to booksunpacked.substack.com for the full story 🎧📚

Whether it’s waiting for the next release from your favorite author or sticking with a beloved publisher, there’s something special about the bond readers form with the names they trust.

What’s your go-to publisher? Comment below to help spread the word! 📚

📸: UNITOM Store

For this week’s #BookshopSpotlight we met up with Nic Bottomley, co-owner of Mr B's Emporium based in Bath, to discuss their unique perspective on the industry.

Watch this space for the full interview where we discuss their beautiful high street premises, Reading Spas & more!

Hear me chatting some book stuff with Books Unpacked!

Our second Books, Unpacked episode is now live!

Join Sarah Davy and I as we chat to multi-award winning writer, essayist and poet Polly Atkin. Listen now at booksunpacked.substack.com, or on @spotify & @youtube today.

Share, like & comment to let us know what you think!

“It felt like this was my chance, I have to put my money where my mouth is…”

Here we have Isabelle of Fly on the Wall Press talking about the process of publishing her debut psychological thriller, #TheDarkWithinThem

Read the full #PressoftheMonth interview here: optindiebooks.co.uk/fly-on-the-wal…

Bestselling Brazilian novelist & playwright Patrícia Melo’s latest thriller is a genre-defying psychological trip with a twist!

Poetic, dark & full of rage, The Simple Art of Killing a Woman is a perfect addition to this week’s #FeaturedFive

📚 optindiebooks.co.uk for more!

Selected from 149 of the best novels & short story collections from around the globe; independent publishing leads the way with five books making this year’s International Booker Prize shortlist.

Have you read any from this year’s shortlist? Who do you think will take the win?