Your Latest London Dispatch for June 2024
The deadlines are real.
I was lamenting to an author friend via email the other day as we try to set up a time to chat for her podcast that, no matter how many times I’ve moved in my life, I still under-estimate how much it’s going to take out of me. The logistics, organizing, decluttering, packing, unpacking—it’s a lot. Add into that a proofreading deadline for pass pages in June and a first draft deadline in July and there’s a lot going on right now.
All of this is to say, I’m playing a bit of catch-up when it comes to Substack and my normal newsletters. However, I’m determined to catch up and get back on track. I hope this regular edition of Your Latest London Dispatch is proof of that!
Book news
The Dressmakers of London
Earlier this week I shared the very exciting news that The Dressmakers of London officially has a cover!
Just having a cover makes the book feel all that more real, and the fact that I just turned in pass page (i.e. proofreading) for the book certainly helps!
I really hope you fall in love with my estranged sisters, dressmaking, barrage balloon, partially epistolary adventure when it comes out February 18, 2025! Until then, I would be eternally grateful if you would consider preordering the book!
Evelyne Redfern #3
After finishing pass pages for The Dressmakers of London, it was time to turn my attention back to the first draft of Evelyne Redfern #3. I have been having so much fun writing this third installment, which takes Evelyne and David abroad in the hunt for a missing British informant who disappeared with vital information about a dangerous German plot.
I don’t want to jinx myself here, but I crossed the halfway mark and the words kept flowing, which is usually a pretty good sign that I’m on track with the story.1 We shall see in July’s YLLD whether that remained the case.
General release date news
I realized while talking to someone the other day that there’s a lot going on the next six months, and it might be handy to have a little cheatsheet of when things are coming up:
September 10, 2024: A Traitor in Whitehall (Evelyne Redfern #1) (trade paperback release) — historical mystery / whodunnit
October 1, 2024: Betrayal at Blackthorn Park (Evelyne Redfern #2) — historical mystery / whodunnit
February 18, 2025: The Dressmakers of London — historical fiction
If you want to find out more about any of these books, just click on the titles.
ARC Giveaway
As we get closer to the release date for Betrayal at Blackthorn Park, I’m starting to itch to see this book in readers’ hands. Fortunately, I have a few ARC copies hanging around, so I thought it would be the perfect time to do a giveaway!
To enter, just click the button below and fill out the form:
I will be randomly selecting winners and sending out books via post before the end of the month.2
Postscript
What I’ve been reading: It’s been a long time since I read a classic, but I’m thoroughly enjoying New Grub Street by George Gissing. To say it’s a cautionary tale to writers would be an understatement…
What I’ve been watching: The Euros are here! I love international football tournaments, and I am hoping England will go deep in the Euros although I know it’s the hope that kills you.
What I’ve been listening to: The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan. Introduced to me by my much-cooler sister and brother-in-law, I’ve really been enjoying listening to this album and there’s been more than a few breaks while cooking to do the “Hot to Go!” dance.
What I’ve been knitting: I am desperate to get the Rosa Cardigan off my needles not because I’m not enjoying knitting it but because it has been such a cool start to the summer here in the UK that I could use a spare cardigan!
If I am struggling with a plot, I usually find out about 45,000 words in when I run out of steam, which is incredibly annoying.
Just for transparency, this giveaway is open to international readers, however please be aware that because of the prohibitive cost of shipping these days, I will be mailing prizes to international winners out via the Royal Mail’s International Economy. That means they might take some time to get to you but rest assured they are on their way!
Hope I win a copy!
Claire RYCE (Canada)