Between Branches: Christmas 2023
That’s that! Another Christmas book scribbled, stamped, sealed, and sent. Phew.
I’ve had so many lovely messages about this year’s story. It sounds like I made quite a lot of you cry which, at the risk of sounding like a creep, is exactly what I wanted to hear. A good story ought to make you feel something, and I did everything I could to pack this little festive tale with heart. And it’s not all sad! We had some laughs too, right? Right? The bit with the dog?!
If for any reason you didn’t get your hands on a copy this year and you, also, would like a tiny weep before you tuck into your turkey and/or would like to know more about this alleged ‘funny bit with the dog’, you can read the full book here.
I hope you love it — it’s packed with little flourishes that I think make it really special. Like the final poem, ‘Delivery’, which I wrote with the same rhythm and rhyme scheme as Clement Clarke Moore’s ‘A Visit From St. Nicholas’ (you know: ‘twas the night before Christmas) to give it a festive feel. And Lark Design’s beautiful artwork is even better printed. I still can’t get over how Keith manages to do so much with punctuation, and this year he’s outdone himself. I mean, look!
Oh, and if you’d like to read any more of my creative stuff, sign up to my Substack. I’ve temporarily taken down the paywall, so all my posts are up and free to read if you’d like a browse. I took a little break towards the end of the year to write the Christmas book (I’m not superhuman), but I’ll be back to it in January.
Right then! With that, I’m done for the year. Hand me the mince pies, the festive socks, and the perfect Spotify playlist, without any of that weird new stuff: CHRISTMAS HITS NO SHITE.
Have a brilliant Christmas. I’ve got my fingers crossed for a happy and hopeful new year.
