96 Hours
the countdown to Ashes and Stones Publication Day
Ashes & Stones launches into the world this week! I have loads of news to share—including an audio book excerpt— and invite you to celebrate with me in myriad ways—preorder your copy today! Join Jesse Bullington and me at the VIRTUAL LAUNCH, and write with me at my first online writing workshop of the year! All details below.
Listen to Lucy Paterson read Ashes & Stones.
You can purchase the audio book with Lucy’s beautiful narration here.
It only happens once in your life, and only if you are lucky. A first book comes out into the world—words you’ve shaped and worried over for years will now be in the hands of others.
I walked alone into the night down to the sea, and I was utterly alone as I considered this moment. The yellow lights pooled at the doorways of the cottages, lined up along the path. The holiday homes were dark inside, some with sandbags at their front doors and For Sale signs in the windows. The sea was a hissing black brim of sky, frothing beside me. I didn’t see another soul the whole time I was out—not even a dog walker. The night was the background of a surrealist painting—waiting for its spotlit, uncanny drama to appear.
Perhaps we are it. The lone figure limping and bundled against the wind off the North Sea, releasing her charge: the book flying out into hands all over the world. The book with a life of its own, its meaning multiplied, deepened with each reading.
You are invited to my party in cyberspace!
21 January 2023, 7pm GMT.
Come to the first workshop of the year!
A crash course in first lines, new habits and starting out. In this workshop we will discuss ways to face the blank page, modes of creating a writing ritual for yourself and as well as warding your practice in the face of upheaval and uncertainty. 4th of February, 2023. 7pm GMT £25 Tickets via Eventbrite.
Enter the Preorder Competition, hosted by Sceptre:
I designed this necklace in sterling silver and semi-precious stones, inspired by the storm clouds and rainbows over the sea as well as the folklore of knot-work spells. From Sceptre: “We're delighted to announce a very special pre-order competition for Ashes & Stones by @northseawitch! Pre-order a copy of the book & upload your proof of purchase to be in with a chance of winning a Witches Ladder necklace made by Allyson!”
Upload here:ashes-and-stones-pre-order-competition
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