Your Latest London Dispatch for March 2024
Women's History Month, historic gardens, and recommendations
With spring in the air and new books growing on my laptop, there’s a lot to talk about today but I wanted to take a moment for Women’s History Month.
Long-time readers won’t be surprised to hear that I care very deeply about promoting the lesser-known—or in some cases forgotten—stories of women from history. This is what prompted me to write The Light Over London about the Gunner Girls of the ATS and The Lost English Girl about the mothers, fathers, and children affected by Operation Pied Piper. It is also what led to the kernel of an idea that became A Traitor in Whitehall and the Evelyne Redfern historical mystery series.
This March, it feels as though it is more vital than ever to highlight the role of women throughout history and remember that women’s voices should and will continue to be heard.
Book News
With spring almost here, it feels appropriate that I’m starting new things this month!
Evelyne Redfern series
After sending off copy edits for Betrayal at Blackthorn Park (Evelyne Redfern #2) in February, I turned my attention to the big question: what is book #3 going to be about?
WELL, I am very happy to report that after some back and forth and working through some questions around plot, my editor has accepted my pitch for Evelyne Redfern #3 and I am starting to do the detailed work of prepping to begin that book. I always love this stage of writing because, although it can feel overwhelming being at the blank-page start of a book, the possibility of what the book could become is always exciting.
Watch this space for more updates in the coming months!
The Dressmaker Book
I am also happy to report that developmental edits for The Dressmaker Book (working title) is off to my editor! The story follows two estranged sisters in 1941, Sylvia and Izzie, who are forced into speaking again after their mother leaves them her dressmaking shop in her will. However, their plan to dispense with the business and return to their separate lives is thwarted by the UK’s conscription order for women and they begin to repair their rocky relationship through letters.
This book is slated to come out late winter 2025, so there’s some time until you’ll be seeing it on bookstore shelves, but I cannot wait to share it with you! Look out for a proper title and cover reveal coming soon!
Recommendations & Miscellany from Across the Internet
I have quite a bit to share this month—some of it featuring my own work and some of it just things I’ve found interesting over the past four weeks. Here’s a look.
The Last Garden in England is a featured read for Longwood Gardens’s long-running Community Read program (more below in events), and I was delighted to speak with them about the book, drawing inspiration from historic gardens, and the role that green spaces play in our lives. You can read the entire post here.
As many of you know, I’m a dedicated knitter and my hobby has truly taken over my life in 2024.1 If you’re curious about what I’ve been knitting up, I’ve been writing about it on The Writer’s Knitting Basket. Two to check out are “The Pleasure of Knitting for Those Who are ‘Knit-Worthy’” and “Yarn Shopping in NYC”
The History Quill Podcast I co-host with Theodore Brun has released another episode of our second season. This one is about creating compelling characters in historical fiction with author Katherine Clements. Give it a listen here.
Kicking off a few recommendations, I wanted to mention the excellent Substack Terrible at Titles by Kate Clapham but in particular the regular feature Receipts from the Bookshop. Fun and utterly charming!
I loved this article “Stumbling into Presence” from Mary Chris’s over at The Healthier Hustle about being present during experiences (something I am working on myself)
And finally, best-selling author Kerri Maher of Sandcastles with Kerri Maher is doing a fantastic series called Authors Over 40. Give this interview with Anastasia Rubis called “Success is 99% Perseverance” a try.
Events
I am thrilled to be speaking virtually as part of Longwood Gardens 11th Annual Community Read program! The event is called “Looking Back to Create Something New with Julia Kelly,” and it will focus on a discussion about The Last Garden in England.
Looking Back to Create Something New with Julia Kelly
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
6:30-7:45 p.m. Eastern
The event is free but requires advance registration.
For those of you interested in learning more about the inspiration behind The Last Garden in England, Longwood is also holding a virtual lecture (paid) on April 11, 2024 featuring Hidcote Manor Gardens, which I visited for my research.
Postscript
H/T to Kathleen Schmidt and Publishing Confidential, which inspired this format.
What I’ve been reading: A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie
What I’ve been watching: This past weekend, the Gentleman and I went to Twickenham Stadium to watch the thrilling England vs. Ireland Six Nations Rugby match. An absolute classic—and my first England international match!
What I’ve been listening to: “Cornelia Street” by Taylor Swift
What I’ve been cooking: Things have been hectic in the Kelly household thanks to traveling, and it’s also been a rainy late winter, so I’ve been focusing on cozy meals like roast chicken as well as freshly baked sourdough
What I’ve been knitting: I’ve been participating in a test knit for the Feather Sweater by The Knit Purl Girl
In Case You Missed It
Your Latest London Dispatch is my regular free newsletter for subscribers to this Substack and will always remain free. However, earlier this year I decided to start writing and publishing additional content. This includes weekly essays, monthly reading roundups, and quarterly short stories. Because writing is my full-time job and this additional content takes time away from writing my books, I am making this extra content available to paid subscribers for a small monthly or annual fee (i.e. about a cup of fancy coffee a month).
Here is a sample of what paid subscribers got in their inboxes last month:
Welcome to New York
I am freshly back from a hybrid business/holiday trip to NYC, and while jet lag is still making my life a low-key misery, I thought I’d share a little look behind the scenes at what happens when a traditionally published author goes to New York. First of all, a little vocab lesson. Being traditionally published means that I have a publisher who I sell my books to and rely on for editorial, publicity, marketing, sales, and distribution support.
The Art of Signing Stock
I am still on the road, galavanting around NYC. Being the (usually) organized author I am, I had a regular Friday essay about when I got “The Call” and learned I had landed my first book deal planned for today, however I got to NYC and decided to bin in.
What I Read This Month (February 2024)
After a great reading start to the year, things have slowed down on the reading front in the Kelly Household. (At least for me. The Gentleman has been happily reading away this entire time.) I could blame this on the fact that I’m researching a new book, which means that I’m reading for specific facts and a sense of timeline rather than necessarily finishing a book. However, I also have been very distracted by some big knitting projects this week.
Send The Gentleman a kind thought for all of the mohair that’s been flying through the air in our living room this winter…
The Longwood Gardens events sound so great! Love that! Also thanks for the shoutout for my presence post.