I feel this could have gone a lot worse

Going to be a long few months for this person who can barely sit still normally. Tips for standout novels l/memoirs welcome - extra points for: New releases Witty Clever Sexy American Family/relationship theme

My first sighting of this fantastic anthology - what a joy ☀️ My poem The Night We Met is the most personal thing I’ve had published but I suspect many contributors feel the same. Some extraordinarily frank, open and illuminating work here. Thanks to Muswell Press

Such a clear-sighted, articulate take on a contentious subject

I've been nominated (🙏🥰) for the National Diversity Awards as a Positive Role Model for #LGBT people. Hugely honoured! I think voting closes today so if you'd like to support me I'd really love you to click the link (or share this). nationaldiversityawards.co.uk//awards-2023/n…

Thank you @RetreatWest Happy dance!! 🎉 The Novel Creator course is brilliant. Supportive, insightful and inspiring 😁 📖

Massive congratulations to former Novel Creator course member Kristina, whose incredible drive and hard work have led to this! It’s a wonderful story too

Read a few good novels on holiday but this debut set in Australia utterly wowed me with the beauty of the writing Oneworld Publications

It’s a long time since I read a novel in German but I absolutely loved this one, which will be out in English at some point new-books-in-german.com/recommendation…

In fact, my TBR has seen a lot of surprising additions since I stopped running the blog!

Came here for a break from the depressing themes of my novel and am suddenly in a hurry to get back to it

Couple of book tweets because I’m still good for them occasionally. Was moved and captivated by this historical novel set in Vienna, based on author @SylviaAPetter’s fascinating family history during/after WW2

And currently reading this. Not the first time his writing has blown me away with its sheer beauty, often in service to setting but never at the expense of character or story. Truly stunning

Huge congratulations to Jane on publication of her debut novel The Girl who fled the Picture. I’m looking forward to reading it

Poetry people, I'm setting up a list for all things poetry. So I don't miss anyone can you please like and share this, and I'll add you if not already added, thank you.

This place isn’t doing it for me any more. I’m more active, entertaining and (dare I say) photogenic on Insta @isabelcostellowriter, where I’m planning to talk more about books - do say Hi if you’re on there! ☀️

Exciting news from my brilliant agent of ten years if you’re loooking for representation and this sounds like your masterpiece

Hardly ever here any more but I am so proud of Rachel who has worked incredibly hard to write a superb and moving historical novel - it's been a huge privilege and pleasure mentoring her during the Retreat West Novel Course and beyond

When I ran the Literary Sofa blog, my Summer Reads selections were always popular, so I’m going to be featuring a few recent favourites on Instagram @isabelcostellowriter. On an incredible reading streak lately!

Delighted to be mentoring for the third time on the Novel Creator course starting 16 September. It always amazes me how much new writers progress and produce on this programme that really gets results retreatwest.co.uk/the-novel-crea…