Up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack: When a book 'fails'...

Looking forward to this event @societyofauthors.bsky.social office on 12th May. Only £9.50 for members. Come and meet Sarah Crossan, former Irish Children's Laureate, Waterstones book of the month author & all round superstar. Wine and nibbles, lots of time for networking & I'll be there too!

Up now, on my Publishing Peptalk substack - how little we can ACTUALLY influence book sales.

The 2 most-read posts on my Publishing Peptalk substack are about envy. Not cos authors are jealous people. Cos social media makes it easy to compare ourselves. That’s a killer for creative work. When a ‘bad’ book does well shorturl.at/CyGxh This wouldn’t happen to a bigger author shorturl.at/Likjt

Up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack... International School visits (pic features Jack Meggit-Philips and me in Jakarta. Clothes: models' own)

Is anyone else trying Parseword? I really wish there was space to just type the answer in. Often, I've known the word but had to figure out their weird way of working it out. Like being forced to show your working in maths.

I'm on a panel at the Creators Emergency Summit today, talking about the effect of AI on authors/illustrators/translators 💪

I'm often asked about agents so, up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack: Is my agent any good? How do I know?

Busy day, lots of people of all ages getting new books, lots of world book vouchers coming in! We were also at Barnsley Library for an event with @abielongstaff.bsky.social this morning, here is Abie making a new story with the children who came! We now have signed copies of Abie's books in store.

Gorgeous reel of my school visit to Great Walstead School to open their new library www.instagram.com/reel/DVgZqjW...

More books! Arriving today, we have Little Fairy Godmother by @abielongstaff.bsky.social in store, for an event at Barnsley Library this Saturday! Stories and activities, and the magical origins of fairy tale characters. The new book is out late April, we have early supply for this event! #booksky

Up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack 'We're all clinging on by our fingernails (it's not just you).'

“Following the news is a bit like watching a TV series where the characters systematically make the wrong choices and you're in front of your screen like "NO WAY ARE YOU STUPID OR WHAT NO ONE WITH ANY SENSE WOULD... RHAAAA" but you still keep watching because you want to know how it ends.”

New post up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack 'What to do in a publishing slump'

The Society of Authors joins forces with other creator-led organisations to co-launch Brave New World?, a groundbreaking report on the onset of a creative jobs crisis in the UK. More and a link to download the report here. Essential reading. societyofauthors.org/2026/01/30/b... #JusticeForCreators

'I don't like my cover' What to do... Up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack open.substack.com/pub/abielong...

Just heard that my latest @barringtonstoke.bsky.social novella got Children's Book of the Week in The Times! Blimey.

Up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack. Mini creative blocks: how to identify them and how to overcome them.

Morning all! If any of you are in the Edinburgh area and in need of a last-minute gift for the young 'uns in your life, I highly recommend a trip to Toppings bookstore where they have two big stacks of newly SIGNED copies of my books. Run run run!

Hello! If you're looking for a last minute Christmas book for your young, old, or cake orientated bookish friends, then may I suggest these? They feature best friends forever, afternoon tea, found family, delightful chaos, footnotes, covert ninja skills, and more... ❤️ #booksky #books #childrensbooks

Saying No - new post up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack...

When a 'bad' book does well - coping with ugly feelings Up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack open.substack.com/pub/abielong...

This Guardian article on how even well-known writers have benefited from the wonderful RLF shows the value of backing artists. Many, many writers need TIME to develop. And time costs. I'm watching the UBI for artists programme in Ireland. Will be so interesting to see what comes of it.

I could really relate to this article by @abielongstaff.bsky.social. abielongstaff.substack.com/p/what-do-yo... Have a read, @womenwritersnet.bsky.social community! #writerslife #writinglife #writing

Up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack including, What to put in your sessions, How to get work, How to control the kids (featuring a VERY funny story from the brilliant @sarahcrossan.bsky.social who does amazing school visits) open.substack.com/pub/abielong...

How many people look at your work before you submit it? New post up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack.

It's the last day of the 99p Kindle ebook deal for The Green Man's War. Don't miss out - especially if you want to catch up with Dan's adventures before embarking on The Green Man's Holiday which keen readers are already enjoying. You could get both for under six quid, just saying 😁

For the past three years, I’ve been a member of the CWIG committee of the Society of Authors - we’re the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group - and we’ve been working on a campaign to come up with guidelines for publishers, agents, etc, for ghostwriters.

#SerendipityLit author Dr. @csmaccath.com will be moderating the "Shapeshifting Stories" panel at the World Fantasy Convention next Saturday! Featured panelists: @abielongstaff.bsky.social @silvanhistorian.bsky.social @toribovalino.bsky.social A membership is required: worldfantasy2025.co.uk

I'm really excited about the Children's Booker prize but I want to learn more. I can't find the rules & regs yet. I want to know what 'aimed at children of 8-12' means. 'Aimed at' by whom? The author, the publisher, the bookshop? If the author says a chapter book is right for age 8, is that enough?

societyofauthors.org/2025/10/24/g... Our CWIG @societyofauthors.bsky.social guidelines for publishers and agents #GhostsAreReal

Thank you @thebookseller.com for covering our CWIG @societyofauthors.bsky.social campaign to celebrate the unsung heroes of many celebrity children's books - the ghostwriters. Please support our #GhostsAreReal campaign. Let's applaud the CRAFT of writing. www.thebookseller.com/news/soa-cal...

New on my Publishing Peptalk substack. 'When you think of your writing life at its best, what do you want it to bring you - practically, emotionally, creatively?' I asked 50 author/illustrators, and this is what they said. open.substack.com/pub/abielong...

In Conversation with… Lydia Monks 3:00pm-4:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @grimmandco.bsky.social @lydiamonks.bsky.social

In other news: Angry Robot Books has acquired Juliet E. McKenna’s The Riven Kingdom, described as a “fresh and gripping fantasy” that “blends politics, religion, and a battle for a dead king’s throne, perfect for fans of the Realm of the Elderlings series.” britishfantasysociety.org/book-news-an...

What a wonderful day on Saturday at our Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group Conference. A full day of speakers, panel discussions and networking with our fabulous CWIG members. And a quiz!

Good news! The Green Man's War is a Kindle ebook deal for October. You can get fully caught up with Dan Mackmain's adventures before The Green Man's Holiday is published on 30th October. www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Mans-W...

The Astrosaurs and I were on BBC Look East last night! A sweet report on the Milton Keynes Literary Festival.

If you missed my 'Publishing Peptalk' Substack, here are some links to posts: The Fumes of Hope tinyurl.com/2haj25a7 How much promo do I have to doooooo? tinyurl.com/mr3vy3m7 Ouch this Edit hurts tinyurl.com/9c3bcxmu No, you’re not being annoying tinyurl.com/4yyw9dte

Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy: www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...

New book! Out today, Little Bad Wolf is the first in my brand-new Before the Fairy Tale series, looking at the backstories of your favourite fairytale characters. Illustrated by Leire Martin

A delicious #fairytale prequel #LittleBadWolf @abielongstaff.bsky.social & Leire Martin @quartokids.bsky.social #HappyYak is #RedReadingHub’s #picturebook of the day reviewed on the blog wp.me/p11DI5-dpv

Little Bad Wolf Little Bad WolfAbie Longstaff and Leire MartinHappy Yak This is not so much a fractured fairytale more a fairytale prequel.We first meet the wolf - Baby Wolf - as a cute looking creature but with the habit of gobbling up anything that makes him cross. This distresses his mother and…

How to survive a harsh edit... New post up now on my Publishing Peptalk substack

My interview for the Words and Pictures Substack open.substack.com/pub/naomiand...

The latest post on my Publishing Peptalk substack...

There are still a few tickets left to this fabulous and Free event on Sat 13 Sept. Bestselling children's authors @abielongstaff.bsky.social and @redbreastedbird.bsky.social will be speaking and signing books. Please register: www.iacf-uk.org/festival-202... @librariesunlimited.bsky.social

When I asked my 4yo if he'd liked his first day at school he said 'Yes! I've finished school now.' He was v miffed to hear he'd have to go back again. If you need a starting-school gift, Little Bad Wolf is on pre-order @booknookhove.bsky.social I'll sign & personalise it. It comes out on 11th Sept

Such a brilliant book. And the second one in the series 'Torchfire' is excellent too 👏👏

I was happy to see @thebookseller.com feature a podcast that @grainneobrien.bsky.social & I are launching in Sept to highlight great Children’s and YA books! The idea is very simple - each episode is 10 minutes long and will discuss the book - we’ll also have author chats and giveaways!