Over the moon to be nominated for the Lakeland Book Awards
I used to read about it every year in The Westmorland Gazette and never dreamed I’d be on the longlist one day. 🥰

Eeeeek!
So happy Rural is on the longlist for the Lakeland Book of the Year along with Victoria and Polly!

“People, through a lack of connection with nature, are consuming more than they need at an unbridled pace.”
#fastfashion

Scotlands last remaining POW camp, Cultybraggan.
It’s now run by Comrie Development Trust and is a great example of what a community space can achieve.

I'm angry about housing again and slightly less nuanced than usual. It's tiring being even handed all the time and it doesn't seem to be getting us anywhere. 👇

thenational.scot/comment/242997…

Totally blows my mind that my book is being studied/used in this way. When I did my dissertation, the idea that one day I would write a book that students would read didn’t even enter my mind. Sometimes life is surprising in the best of ways.
Also, love a cat reading buddy.

Spending a sunny half hour finishing this and oh my heart. Set in Wales, where once upon a time second homes were burnt down by locals, this love story will be recognisable to so many rural teenagers who fell in love, drank & dreamed like only young people can. Francesca Reece

Fascinating/jaw dropping reading for writers here.
Thank you for the transparency Galley Beggar Press!

Write Like a Grrrl was the very first writing course I did. It was exactly what I needed to give me the confidence and time to start writing. It’s the best kind of supportive community too. 🥰
Check it out if you need that little kick start.

Now this is my kind of invite!

A new photography exhibition by Joanne Coates and Franki Raffles launches at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art next week. It’s on until November so I’ll definitely be heading that way to see it.

baltic.art/whats-on/tG-pr…

It was so great to chair Andrew McMillan at Paisley Book festival today.
It’s a wonderful book!

Heading through to PaisleyBookFest later today to speak to Andrew McMillan
5pm til 6pm at the Town Hall. I can’t wait to chat to him about this brilliant book. paisleybookfest.com/programme/work…

Anyone can go to these meetings - they are a brilliant to explore the whole forestry industry and why it’s important to everyone of us.
And this year there is one about coppicing in my brothers woods in Cumbria (Black Beck)!
Check these out plus RSFS for ones in your area.

Our Woodland Meetings offer a sneak peak into diverse woodlands and estates. If you want to find out more about each event and how to get involved check out RFS.org.uk/events/

#RFSWoodlandMeetings #WoodlandManagement #Forestry #JoinUs #DoThingsDifferently #WoodlandWalks

Channelling two of my favourites today, Cusk and Smith, for something I’ve been asked to write.

I took the kid to the launch of an eco-museum celebrating coal mining today- he didn’t last long at the event but I was pleased I made it to hear a little about it & finally visit the wonderful NationalMiningMuseum
It’s a great project and you can find out more at Mining Landscapes

Wow, look at me and my wee brother peeking out among this brilliant selection from my publisher.
Thanks Arabella!

The paperback of Rural is out in just over six weeks and it has a funky new look!
I love it, even though it means I’m going to have to re-train my eye to look for splashes of orange in bookshops now, not fern green.
Paperback events in the summer to follow. #RURAL