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Hello Ladies, I’m back! I’m out of a prolonged hibernation following the September reset. And I lost access to my website and decided to work on my boat after doing some hard graft over winter back up north. On my return, I discovered rats ate their way into my boat and caused a right bloody mess. However, winter seems long gone after the heatwaves we’ve just had – who needs to be in the Med!

Happy Pride 2025: Free Book Time

Alas, it’s that time of year again: Happy Pride 2025 everyone, let the sun and love shine down on you all. Where will I be? I’m not entirely sure, but I might not get out much (again). Without anyone to persuade me otherwise, I doubt I will go and mingle. I’m getting older and basically can’t be arsed. 

Besides, I’ve got books to finish. And my boat! Plus, I have done my share of Pride marches and parties, and have enough fine memories to see me through – my wild and crazy adventures inspired the series, so you’ll understand why I stay home and away from the chaos sometimes. For anyone heading out: stay safe, have fun, and go stride with pride!

Read for Free Throughout Pride

Whether you’re in or out (ahem), if you need to mentally escape and be transported to the Med and hang out with a bunch of cool women, you can download both books in my series A Dangling Fish (A Dangling Fish, Girl Town) for free in the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale as a Pride gift.

Confirmed: A Dangling Fish Let Loose (Plus other Books)

Yes, there is a third book in the series coming soon – sorry for anyone waiting, I wasn’t totally sure if I would write another and why Girl Town is often referenced as the sequel to A Dangling Fish. Also, I’ve been working on another book and have been deliberating which one to finish first – the other (They) is almost finished and I’m really keen to get it published. I’ll be writing more about my writing life (and other projects) in the coming weeks.

Sisterly Support Needed: dozens of copies downloaded, but…

Despite getting great reviews, lots of reviews are what drives the world these days. I admit I’m supposed to do more to promote my work, and I’m working on it, but I honestly don’t know where time goes. And as we say up north, “I’ve had a lot on.”

However, I’m fortunate that so many of you have discovered my books already and enjoy reading them. So, I kindly ask anyone who is more active on social and wherever you download my books from to please leave a review or give me a shout out. It’s a tough time to be a writer, and even tougher living back in the UK – I need to escape again!

In the midst of tech issues (keys typing on their own, not in a good way), I was at the point of having a meltdown. I was making a few last minute edits to A Dangling Fish in Girl Town when my laptop became unusable. This problem has been ongoing since updates were installed, despite me telling it not to update. My system, though not old, is not compatible with the software and I suspect is the reason behind the ghost in my machine.

Besides using smaller devices which I struggle to write with, I currently have no other way to write. I need to use a proper keyboard that I can actually see and use, and a screen of adequate size also. The issue is with the software and wireless keyboards won’t fix it. For drafting, sure, I can use anything. I wrote the first draft of the first book with pen/pencil and paper, old school. Not a good idea, by the way. Pencil smudges, ink can get washed out, and I now wear reading glasses and still struggle to read my own handwriting. Enough about me and tech issues.

Greece is Burning

Greece is never far from my mind. The series I’m writing is inspired by my adventures in Greece, and the first place I went was Rhodes. It was 1999 and I had the time of my life. I stayed a while and did a few seasons. There were no fires back then, if I remember right.

But I was on Kefalonia one year, a holiday, and there was a serious out-of-control fire. Thinking about it, it was a funny holiday, but I’m not going into that. The main sticking point was being awoke in the middle of the night by banging on the door and smelling smoke. The island was on fire and we were being ‘warned’. Not evacuated. We were told it was normal and not to worry. The local ladies running down the street crying told me something else and we took our Jeep to the beach, our mask, fins and snorkel and whatever else in the back. The neighbouring island, Zante, was also on fire, the orange flames clearly visible.

And so I stopped my meltdown and my thoughts and heart goes out to Greece. Nothing serious happened to us, things were under control as we waited for our flight the next day, watching fire planes scoop up water and then drop it over the smouldering plumes in the distance.

Same happened to me in Spain not long ago (I forgot until now), but it was put out the same way. And from what I understand, all of these were caused by arson; all fuelled by hotter than average temperatures driven by climate change. I’ve noticed the difference, be it the sea-beds looking bleak or the heatwaves breaking the 50s more often. Here in the UK has been crazy enough, currently it is August 3rd, but the season could be anything from Spring to Autumn one day and Med-like the next. What interesting times we are going through.

Hi there, how you doing – what are your Pride plans this year?

Has the heat got to you yet, or have you been stuck indoors and are eager to escape? I keep stepping out, but I’m trying to be disciplined. I’m about to launch the sequel to A Dangling Fish. Despite best efforts, it seems working outdoors in my current location isn’t possible. There are too many distractions or untimely interruptions. Maybe it’s an issue with concentration… How do people write in coffee shops or on park benches or on the Tube? A mountainside, yes. But, I am not (for once) on a mountainside.

Luckily, apart from a few blog posts like this one, most of my writing is finished for now. And as you may know, it’s taken longer than I’d hoped, certainly longer than I’d planned, to get book two, A Dangling Fish in Girl Town, finished. The next is in the works and I hope to have that one published by the end of the year.

Free Pride Giveaways

To wish everyone an amazing Pride and offer more entertainment to help you unwind, I’m giving away copies of my books for 99p throughout Pride. I reckon there’s a good few day’s reading, and if you’re broke and can’t get to any Pride events this year, these books will take you on a journey to the Med where you’ll meet plenty of cool women and laugh out loud. You can check them out for free right now by downloading a free sample here or Amazon or wherever you buy your books. To read a blurb, see the book’s pages via the main menu.

Free Pride summer reading: classics

If you love reading but don’t always have the budget to devour the latest releases, why not take a trip back in time and join some of the best women writers? Free copies of books like many of Virginia Woolf’s novels and classics like Orlando are available to download for free from Amazon. If you want to learn more about Virginia Woolf and the times she lived through, for women writers and book lovers especially, A Room of One’s Own is a fascinating read, and free!

Free Pride event dates 2023

The official Pride date is the 28th of June. But each town, city, and country have their own events, and most aren’t on the official Pride date. For example, London kicks off on the 1st of July, others aren’t until mid-July – check out the official Pride website for exact dates and locations. Most are free with paid after-parties and VIP entries, blah blah blah. Have fun and stay safe.

Awesome Free book download

A Dangling Fish will be available to download for free for a limited time. Make sure you don’t miss out by subscribing to the newsletter or visiting again in the near future. Dates TBC. Get your free copy, and be entertained – on me. Hugs, Neve x