Yay it's May
Folly, Festivals & Fiction from Anna Foxkirk
Hello lovely Foxtrot folk,
I’m currently back in England spending some precious time with my 93-year-old mother, catching up with old friends, and reacquainting myself with the unpredictable nature of British spring weather — that glorious season where sunshine, showers and hail can all arrive within the same half hour (And I thought Melbourne weather was changeable).
Progress on my manuscript — working title ‘Folly’ (should tell you something) — has been slower than I’d hoped thanks to motherly interruptions and agent suggestions, but the story is moving forward. Perhaps not as gracefully as I’d hoped. But still enough that I can believe it will eventually emerge blinking into daylight sometime this decade.
The trade-off of being here, of course, is less writing time than I’d like and time away from my family in Australia — which occasionally sends me spiralling into mild existential panic about manuscripts, deadlines, and the terrifying speed at which time seems to move these days.
One unexpected highlight of being in England has been the chance to visit the Bournemouth Writing Festival, which was completely new to me. It was fantastic spending time among fellow writers and book lovers again — and especially interesting hearing things from a British publishing perspective. There were some genuinely excellent presentations and discussions, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to any writers able to attend in future.
I’ve also managed to revisit places I haven’t seen in years, including Cornwall and Bath, as well as somewhere entirely new to me: Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight — utterly gorgeous.
Well, England in spring really is blooming marvellous. Everything looks impossibly green and smells floral and on several shocking occasions I’ve even encountered sunshine. Actually, I shouldn’t complain because the weather forecast for the next week is glorious sunshine and temperatures in the twenties.
Perfect for tomorrow, when I’m heading off to the Hay-on-Wye Festival, which remains one of my all-time favourites — and one of the inspirations behind my current work-in-progress which revolves around a literary festival set up by the protagonist’s parents. Anyhow, by the time this newsletter lands in your inbox on the 23rd, I’ll be wandering around Hay-on-Wye again, surrounded by authors and books, and attempting to not buy too many because my luggage allowance home won’t allow allow it — unless I jettison clothes which is a definite possibility. Oxymorons aside, festival highlights I’m excited to see include Fredrik Backman, Malala Yousafzai, Emerald Fennell (I loved her Wuthering Heights adaptation), and Elizabeth Strout. Maybe more on Hay in my next newsletter …
Okay, back from fab Friday day at Hay - oh yay. Here are a few photos to whet the appetite. Tips and more festivals insights in next newsletter…
What I’ve Been Reading & Listening To
The Last Love Note — Emma Grey
My standout read this month. I laughed, cried, occasionally did both simultaneously, and became completely immersed in the story from first page to last. I’ll absolutely be reading more of Emma Grey’s books.
The Bodyguard — Katherine Center
Great fun. I was instantly hooked by Katherine Center’s witty, playful writing style. Very much a romcom in the best sense — slightly far-fetched at times, but warm, uplifting, and thoroughly entertaining.
Slags — Emma Jane Unsworth
A dual-timeline 90s nostalgia-fest with sharp writing and some painfully funny moments. Raw, messy, and emotionally intelligent. Not remotely light-hearted, but a worthwhile read.
The Wedding People — Alison Espach
I picked this up because so many people recommended it. Enjoyed the narrative, though I wanted to love it more than I ultimately did.
Consider Yourself Kissed — Jessica Stanley
I enjoyed it, though I went in expecting more of a romance. Instead, it felt like a portrait of family life, politics and societal anxiety over the last decade.
Romantic Comedy — Curtis Sittenfeld
A very enjoyable listen. Sharp, clever, and observant.
What I’ve Been Watching
More Traitors and The Piano — classic Claudia Winkleman brilliance. She remains an absolute star.
A Woman of Substance — currently catching up and already impatient for the next season.
Rivals — honestly … OMG. No question, I’m obsessed. I’ve now watched the first three episodes of season two and am absolutely hanging out for the next one. The glamour, the chaos, the emotional messiness, the shoulder pads, the ridiculous and very British sex … perfection. Do you love it too? I want to know: who is your favourite character?
Thank you, as always, for following along with my slightly chaotic literary life.
Until next time, may your books be immersive, your festivals inspiring, and your writing time uninterrupted!
Anna
P.S. I’ve temporarily, experimentally, put most of my ebooks in KU. If you subscribe and haven’t read them yet, please check them out.
More Book Offers
I’ve also included a few book offers and bargains below for anyone looking to add dangerously to their already teetering TBR piles. You’ve been warned.
Click an image to grab a bargain!
