From my desk to yours

I could not be happier for Philippa Malicka – it’s just been announced that IN HER DEFENCE is Reese’s Book Club’s pick for February 2026, an incredible moment for a debut novel and a hugely exciting milestone for everyone involved.

‍

2026 saw the return of the Writing Prompts section in my newsletter, and I'm so excited to share this much-loved feature. Writing prompts are a great way to exercise your creative muscles, but also help to spark story ideas and character creation. Feel free to use any of the below on your creative journey – and do share what you come up with, as I'd love to hear!

And if you want to receive new prompts straight to your inbox every month, sign up to my newsletter – The Editor's Letter – here. Writing prompts, industry news, opportunities and much more.

Ali Steed is a multi-award-winning national journalist and crime author. With more than 20 years’ experience on the receiving end of pitches, she understands exactly what journalists look for – and just as importantly, what makes them switch off. She now uses that insight to help authors find credible PR angles and approach the media with confidence.

In Ali's guest blog, she talks about why PR is so important to get right in your author journey.

‍

British English or American English? Canadian or Australian? It’s one of the most common questions I hear – and the answer is (annoyingly) “it depends”. Here’s how to decide what works best for your story, your voice, and your readers.

‍

Are you fed up of giving the writer in your life notepads and pens for Christmas? Well, I've got the perfect stocking filler for you.