Happy publication day to #TheNames by Florence Knapp, which is such a special debut and definitely one of my books of the year. I’m a sucker for a high-concept premise, and this is a great one. Three versions of the same life, in which the protagonist has three different names.

Thrilled that @florenceknapp.bsky.social’s The Names has been selected as the Read With Jenna book club pick for May www.today.com/popculture/b...

Well, this was incredible. More thoughts to follow. @francescamain.bsky.social #TheNames

I loved the moving and tragic #AboutaSon and I’m delighted to have a proof of David Whitehouse’s next book, #SaltwaterMansions. Thanks to @francescamain.bsky.social and Phoenix Books. Out in June.

This gem is 99p again for a few more days and I couldn’t recommend it more

I'm very much enjoying this from @dwhitehouse.bsky.social

Phew! 🍇 A fabulous night of books, cake and celebrations at @goldsborobooks.bsky.social for the launch of @katekemp.bsky.social’s amazing debut #TheGrapevine 🤩 What a story! What a night! Thanks @nelleandrew.bsky.social and @francescamain.bsky.social 🙏 Out now!

I’ve been an avid reader of Louise Doughty’s novels for years and am honoured and excited to be publishing her memoir at Phoenix. Heartbreaking, eye-opening and uplifting, it’s about grief and loss and family but above all it’s a love story. www.thebookseller.com/rights/phoen...

The Wedding People is in the Kindle Monthly Deal this month and quickly rising up the Top 100. If you’re looking for an irresistibly entertaining book with real emotional substance, I can’t recommend it more

Delighted and proud that both @emilyhowes.bsky.social and @newlands.bsky.social have made the longlist for the Authors Club Best First Novel Award www.authorsclub.co.uk/tag/best-fir...

SO excited to read this as have heard just so many good things. And also because I am very shallow and just love that colour palette so much.

I’m so proud to be publishing this extraordinary new book. It’s like nothing I’ve read before. I can’t wait for readers to fall down the rabbit hole and meet the residents of Saltwater Mansions www.thebookseller.com/rights/phoen...

#OrdinaryTime by @catrentz.bsky.social is a quiet masterpiece with shades of Bridges of Madison County. Ann is in a pretty loveless marriage to a vicar when she meets Jamie and her whole world changes. It’s so understated but I was absolutely hooked. @francescamain.bsky.social

An amazing piece in The Times today on the power of great fiction and ‘the best debut novel I’ve read in years’ — The Names by @florenceknapp.bsky.social

For the last few years, the latest @janicehallett.bsky.social novel has been the highlight of my Christmas reading and The Examiner is her best yet. So funny and entertaining, ingeniously plotted, surprising at every turn, full of big ideas and warm-hearted despite the darkness. Loved it.

Well, this is bloody good, isn’t it? #OrdinaryTime @francescamain.bsky.social

When you’ve left your Christmas shopping to the last minute

Still can’t believe I got to see this. Last night was magical.

Plus I hope this will just be interesting for readers, too. Please join me! rebeccamakkai.substack.com/p/blurb-no-m...

Glorious holiday reading c/o @orionbooks.bsky.social - thank you, @francescamain.bsky.social ! Have heard brilliant things about both & can't wait to get started.

Congratulations @newlands.bsky.social! So proud to see Only Here, Only Now on the Gordon Burn Prize longlist in such exhilarating company

Some beautiful proofs for some fabulous sounding books coming from Phoenix Books next year - thank you so much @francescamain.bsky.social 📚📚

As someone who’s lost both breasts to cancer and cancer prevention, I think #Breasts is going to be a tough but hopefully cathartic read. Huge thanks to @francescamain.bsky.social and Phoenix Books. Out in April.

Congratulations to Alison Espach and The Wedding People! I have loved sharing the UK edition of this brilliant, hilarious and surprising book with readers this year

Out dropping signed copies of Kate Murray-Browne’s One Girl Began in east London cafes today — hope the lucky readers who find them enjoy this immersive story and slice of local history

Loved this funny, insightful, generous chat between @clotimms.bsky.social and @newlands.bsky.social (even when Tom talked about the pain of editing his novel) — highly recommended along with Chloe’s podcast as a whole open.spotify.com/episode/0u1i...

Two stages of writing: 1) This shouldn't take too long 2) Oh no

Distressed to discover there is no left-handed writing emoji ✍️

My favourite books of 2024 for Red Magazine. www.redonline.co.uk/entertainmen...

‘Books as fun as this one are few and far between… unexpected and delightful, funny but never cruel, loving and tender… pure enjoyment, and an excellent gift for almost anyone’ Thank you @jennycolgan.bsky.social for this dream review of The Wedding People! www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...

Popular fiction Book of the Year in The Times! If you haven’t read Alison Espach’s The Wedding People yet, you have a treat in store

Today I’m talking to Tom Newlands about his contemporary novel Only Here, Only Now, why he wanted to write about neurodivergence and poverty, and why ignoring all advice was the only way he got it written! 🎧 bit.ly/COADNtomnew

Bit of a spoiler on this Great Gatsby gift edition

Which Booker novel was rejected because some people at the publishing house didn't like the characters? What winner chose his publisher "I had not many other options, frankly"? I had great fun writing this piece about rejected Booker books: thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-l...

I absolutely loved The Grapevine, by @katekemp.bsky.social - brilliantly gripping and atmospheric, with such great characters - secrets, lies, and all. (Also, an excellent cat). Out in March 2025 from Phoenix Books. Thank you so much to @francescamain.bsky.social for the proof!

Had a lovely time at the Historical Writers Awards where @emilyhowes.bsky.social was shortlisted for the debut crown, as evidenced by this very wonky photo

Thank you to everyone who made last night’s @orionbooks.bsky.social showcase so special and cheered on our authors — especially my two brilliant debut stars for next year @florenceknapp.bsky.social and @katekemp.bsky.social who spoke beautifully about their novels The Names and The Grapevine

Lovely to see lots of familiar faces over here 👋 For those of you who don't know us, we're Orion, home to some of the very best publishing including our friends @whiterabbitbks.bsky.social and @wnbooks.bsky.social 📖

Wrote about our failure open.substack.com/pub/jhethrea...

I hope your writing week is working out better than Wittgenstein’s.

BBC Short Story Award winner Naomi Wood is running a FREE online short story masterclass this Wednesday! Link and details here: www.eventbrite.com/e/short-stor...

Book 53 @katekemp.bsky.social #thegrapevine Fans of @joannacannon #goatsandsheep will adore this novel set in 1979, Australia. As 12yo Tammy sets out to investigate neighbour Antonio's death, secrets bubble to the surface, exposing more mysteries to solve. Out March '25. Pre-order now!

This is exquisite storytelling with unforgettable characters and moved me deeply. Watch out for THE NAMES by @florenceknapp.bsky.social next year. It’s a big one. @francescamain.bsky.social

I spent ages reading #TheGrapevine, a devastating debut novel by #KateKemp bc rationing began early! Extraordinarily paced from its shattering opening through a slow burn revelation of what lies hidden in a community entrenched in prejudice, it’s positively incendiary. Out Mar 25

Absolutely loved The Wedding People by Alison Espach. The start comes with some trigger warnings but it’s a funny, clever, gorgeous romantic (tragi-)comedy that’s completely absorbing and so insightful on relationships of all kinds. Might be my favourite book of the year so far.

@katekemp.bsky.social your photo! 😍

Currently reading. With thanks to @francescamain.bsky.social for the proof (and postcard for my collection)!

Oh, it’s actually quite nice here, isn’t it?

‘Round here the options for lassies like me were school or a baby, shelf-stacking or shoplifting, gin on the Shreddies or tongue in the socket. I wanted my own proper future, but I wasn’t choosing it the way other folk could…’ lithub.com/only-here-on...