How do the books we read in school shape us?

Here’s a short extract from Reading Lessons by Carol Atherton – a reflection on the books we studied at school and the way they quietly shape us. And now I’m going to be nosy: – Are there school books that still echo in your mind or your writing? – Have you ever revisited one andContinue reading “How do the books we read in school shape us?”

Stories from the North – A Night Out with the Cumbrian Book Crowd

A joyful reflection on the Lakeland Book of the Year Awards 2025 — celebrating Cumbrian writers, books about Cumbria, and the region’s rich literary community. Highlights include local authors, publishing diversity, and the importance of nurturing young creative voices.

Indie authors:  why not tell your story as an after-dinner speech?

After delivering my first after-dinner speech to a local Rotary Club, I discovered the power of sharing our indie publishing journeys. Learn how indie authors can inspire communities by stepping up to tell their story.

FantasyCon 2024. Will you be there?

Jon and I are excited to attend our first FantasyCon, which is on between the 11th and 13th October 2024 in Chester, UK. We’re both appearing on panels, with Jon discussing the apocalyse, disability, grimdark, and rogues. I’ll be discussing editing, naturally! There are so many sessions on that have piqued my interest, so myContinue reading “FantasyCon 2024. Will you be there?”

The three lessons that keep me growing as an editor.

Resting on your laurels as an editor or writer can stall your growth and harm client relationships. In this article, I share three key lessons I’ve learned about staying adaptable, engaging clients, and embracing lifelong learning to keep Cherry Edits thriving. Discover how avoiding complacency has shaped my journey, and join the conversation by sharing your own experiences and tips for staying motivated in the world of indie publishing.

How my editing work snowballed from one word-of-mouth recommendation.

Discover how a word-of-mouth recommendation sparked a long-term editing partnership with author G. J. Kemp. In this post, I share my journey from networking to building trust in the indie author community, and how genuine connections led to a thriving editing business. Learn the value of referrals and the power of relationships in the writing world.

Is ‘Save The Cat! Writes a Novel’ a formula or a framework?

Hey, writers. I’ve got some questions for you about the very popular writing craft book: ‘Save The Cat! Writes A Novel’ by Jessica Brody. 💬 Here’s what the Amazon blurb says about this book: ‘Novelist Jessica Brody presents a comprehensive story-structure guide for novelists that applies the famed Save the Cat! screenwriting methodology to theContinue reading “Is ‘Save The Cat! Writes a Novel’ a formula or a framework?”

Books about where you live: Do they paint an accurate picture?

A short review of Tom Chesshyre’s Lost in the Lakes’ This book. 🤩 Oh yes! Right up my street — or, more accurately, my old stomping ground. I finished this over the weekend and loved it. I’m not so sure that this cover (as lovely as it is) quite encapsulates the feel of this travelogue,Continue reading “Books about where you live: Do they paint an accurate picture?”

The Value of Community in Writing and Editing | A Gratitude Post

✨ A Gratitude Post to See Out the Week ✨ I joined a Zoom meeting the other night and felt nervous while waiting. It was a writers’ group, and their agenda mentioned editing. I thought it might be helpful to join, hoping I could offer something valuable to the discussion. Even if I stayed quiet,Continue reading “The Value of Community in Writing and Editing | A Gratitude Post”