You omit, in the positives that you mention, that you are a loyal and lovely friend, an adventurous soul who puts herself out in the world and pushes her limits; you ignore your pithy wit, your thigh burning pushes of energy climbing Pyrenean peaks on bikes. The fact that you are a wonderful human being and great company. If the book industry is in the doldrums, please remember there is no necessity for you to follow suit!
Your books are brilliant. You are a wonderfully talented writer, who makes topics which may seem large & irrelevant very relevant to ordinary readers like me. And I think Bill Gates liked one too? However I would love to read a crime book you'd written...do give it a go, do! 👏👏👏
I am extremely behind on my reading (for pleasure at least) but am very much looking forward to it. I bet it feels awful right now but it's important to remind oneself that it's not a reflection of the quality of you or the work. You can't control the zeitgeist or the timing. With a little luck it finds an audience later, as so many authors find. But that is little salve in the moment. I
Having worked in the fishing industry for over 18 years, as policy officer, consultant, MSC assessor, I think it's a great book, that shows the compexities of the industry well. The facts are at times harrowing, and the industry does have a lot of flaws (ignorance, greed, stubborness, to name a few). But the humanity of the people still manages to shine through. But I can see what you mean about the title, I might not have bought it if I wasn't involved in the industry. Though it is certainly accessible for a broader public.
I can now admit that when I read your post about the latest book, I did think the title was a mistake - it’s put me off, and I am already familiar with, and enjoy, your writing. When it comes to pessimistic visions of the future - my learning-disabled, vulnerable son’s future - I’m worried enough already (also my non-fiction keeps being rejected and, as your post suggests, self-publishing is the only option for me). But sorry to hear about the lack of reviews. Best wishes for 2026, whatever you decide to do.
Really wish you had trusted what you know of my writing and read the book anyway but that is your choice of course. Here is to more success for both of us and a happy future for your son.
I read Deep Sea some years ago and went in and on about it for months to anyone who'd listen to me. Favourite read that year. Nine Pints then sat on my huge, ever- growing tbr stack forever, until two days ago when it felt like the right moment and I'm relishing it as much as Deep Sea as I knew I would, because you write that well. I'd read anything you write (even crime fiction), and it's odd, I completely missed you even had a new book out..? But much like Patrick Radden Keefe's writing, I don't care what it's about - or what the title is, because I know I can trust it will be illuminating and absorbing in ways a Substack post or even a good long- form essay can't achieve. I don't touch daily news, or much social media because it's exhausting, depressing and unlikely to be factual for more than five minutes. Exquisite journalism like yours in book form feels rich and valuable in comparison. Obviously I'm just one lone, avid reader of books, and making furniture will undoubtedly be very satisfying, but I for one would definitely miss how you string together a sentence.
what a lovely comment, Andrea, thank you. I'm really touched. And being in the same paragraph as Patrick Radden Keefe is no bad thing. Exquisite! I'm getting that as a tattoo. Thank you, seriously.
That's a tattoo I want to see. Where ever would you put it? (Planning to go to a bookshop event he's doing in Bath in March actually. Perhaps he'd like a reciprocal one)
You omit, in the positives that you mention, that you are a loyal and lovely friend, an adventurous soul who puts herself out in the world and pushes her limits; you ignore your pithy wit, your thigh burning pushes of energy climbing Pyrenean peaks on bikes. The fact that you are a wonderful human being and great company. If the book industry is in the doldrums, please remember there is no necessity for you to follow suit!
Your books are brilliant. You are a wonderfully talented writer, who makes topics which may seem large & irrelevant very relevant to ordinary readers like me. And I think Bill Gates liked one too? However I would love to read a crime book you'd written...do give it a go, do! 👏👏👏
I am extremely behind on my reading (for pleasure at least) but am very much looking forward to it. I bet it feels awful right now but it's important to remind oneself that it's not a reflection of the quality of you or the work. You can't control the zeitgeist or the timing. With a little luck it finds an audience later, as so many authors find. But that is little salve in the moment. I
Having worked in the fishing industry for over 18 years, as policy officer, consultant, MSC assessor, I think it's a great book, that shows the compexities of the industry well. The facts are at times harrowing, and the industry does have a lot of flaws (ignorance, greed, stubborness, to name a few). But the humanity of the people still manages to shine through. But I can see what you mean about the title, I might not have bought it if I wasn't involved in the industry. Though it is certainly accessible for a broader public.
Thanks so much Cora. I am honoured to have been read by a fishing expert. And thank you for your compliments.
I can now admit that when I read your post about the latest book, I did think the title was a mistake - it’s put me off, and I am already familiar with, and enjoy, your writing. When it comes to pessimistic visions of the future - my learning-disabled, vulnerable son’s future - I’m worried enough already (also my non-fiction keeps being rejected and, as your post suggests, self-publishing is the only option for me). But sorry to hear about the lack of reviews. Best wishes for 2026, whatever you decide to do.
Really wish you had trusted what you know of my writing and read the book anyway but that is your choice of course. Here is to more success for both of us and a happy future for your son.
I read Deep Sea some years ago and went in and on about it for months to anyone who'd listen to me. Favourite read that year. Nine Pints then sat on my huge, ever- growing tbr stack forever, until two days ago when it felt like the right moment and I'm relishing it as much as Deep Sea as I knew I would, because you write that well. I'd read anything you write (even crime fiction), and it's odd, I completely missed you even had a new book out..? But much like Patrick Radden Keefe's writing, I don't care what it's about - or what the title is, because I know I can trust it will be illuminating and absorbing in ways a Substack post or even a good long- form essay can't achieve. I don't touch daily news, or much social media because it's exhausting, depressing and unlikely to be factual for more than five minutes. Exquisite journalism like yours in book form feels rich and valuable in comparison. Obviously I'm just one lone, avid reader of books, and making furniture will undoubtedly be very satisfying, but I for one would definitely miss how you string together a sentence.
what a lovely comment, Andrea, thank you. I'm really touched. And being in the same paragraph as Patrick Radden Keefe is no bad thing. Exquisite! I'm getting that as a tattoo. Thank you, seriously.
That's a tattoo I want to see. Where ever would you put it? (Planning to go to a bookshop event he's doing in Bath in March actually. Perhaps he'd like a reciprocal one)