Dear reader...

The story behind the story of my forthcoming novel Dear Neighbour

Back when my publisher was first getting ready to share proof copies of my novel Dear Neighbour, they asked me to write a letter to readers that could be sent along with book. Here’s what I wrote about my personal connection to the novel’s themes of austerity, housing insecurity, community and mutual care.

Dear Neighbour is the story of single mum Alice, her next door neighbour Bill, and the other residents of Leodis Street in Chapel Allerton in Leeds. It comes out on 15th June 2023 (two weeks tomorrow!) and you can pre-order it now from your fave indie bookshop or Amazon / Waterstones / WHSmiths / Blackwells / Hive / Audible

Londoners can find me taking part in Hachette’s Pride in Writing event next week, or if you’re in or near Manchester I’d love to see you at the launch party on publication day, where I’ll be celebrating with performances from some amazing writer friends (you can find the line-up and ticket details here).

I’d planned to do a video to go with this letter but car drama and train strikes and various other factors conspired to send that plan sideways, and I wanted to share the audio with you anyway. It’s my first foray into sharing with you in this way, so I’d love to hear what you think.

Shout-out and cheers to my lovely mate Anne Louise Kershaw for letting me record this in her amazing home studio. I’m sorry for making you cry.