Chicken House Big Breakfast 2023

On Wednesday 22nd November, 2023, my publisher Chicken House had their annual Big Breakfast, where they introduce some of their 2024-upcomings to a collection of literary folk, including literary scouts, agents, representatives from Scholastic (CH’s parent company) and, of course, the authors.

I was supposed to be there last year, too, because I was a shortlisted author for the Times/Chicken House Competition, but I was in Reykjavik for Iceland Noir at the time. I was also convinced I hadn’t won, because I am one of those annoying “if I assume the worst I can’t be disappointed” kinda gals.

Long story short, I did win one of the two available prizes, which also meant I won a book deal with Chicken House and agent representation from Louise Lamont at LBA. I am… still in shock a year later, honestly. But like, lovely shock.

Anyway,

this year was my first time attending the Big Breakfast, and actually, my first time going to one of these literary events as an author. I’ve been going to Primadonna Festival for a couple of years, which is very literary, and I went to Jericho Writer’s Festival of Writing in York a couple of years ago, and I’m a fan of heading to Waterstones to see author talks and pick up signed copies, but this was my first time as an invited author, and I was a bit nervous.

I shouldn’t have been. It’s going to surprise no one to learn that people at these events tend to be pleasant and friendly and cheerful and kind. Also, Louise was there, and she introduced me around a bit (thanks Louise!!)

The main reason I was nervous was because as well as an invited author, I was also an invited speaker. Luckily, Chicken House had kindly emailed me with the questions they would ask in advance, so I’d had a little time to prepare, and I wasn’t on my own - Amie Jordan and Melissa Welliver were also on the panel with me…

and side note: both of them are brilliant authors by the way. Melissa’s My Love Life & the Apocalypse is already out and is just great - really funny and warm and moving. I’m looking forward to getting a copy of Soulmates & Other Ways to Die as well. And I did actually snag a proof copy of Amie’s novel (due out May 2024, preorders open now!!) All the Hidden Monsters and seriously… I demolished it. Single sitting. Loved it - you should definitely read it.

…anyway, it was a completely comfortable and relaxed experience, and it was so great to meet so many of the brilliant people who’ve been working on my book with me. People did keep saying things to me that sound very cryptic when you’re a new author - things like we’ll see your book at Bologna - but generally it was a Very Good Time.

Here I am, possibly trying to answer the question “what are your hopes and fears for our future world?” (Which is a BIG QUESTION for a breakfast event).

Picture taken by my delightful agent, Louise. Look at Major, Amie’s German Shepherd, outshining the lot of us onstage!

We did also trial the new name for my book at the event, and if you’re on Twitter you’ll probably have seen it hashtagged, but some kind of weird superstition I didn’t know was part of my psyche is preventing me from telling you what it is formally until I have a cover to reveal along with it, so for now…

Cover coming soon.

Well, fingers crossed, anyway!