The Literary Sofa
Isabel Costello
My new novel SCENT – Cover reveal and opening pages
I said I had something exciting for this week and here it is: the cover of my new novel Scent, which will be published in the UK on 1 April 2021. I am absolutely thrilled with it and very grateful to talented designer Jamie Keenan and my publishers Sarah Beal and Kate Beal at Muswell … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Tyler Keevil on Prague
This is the first post of England’s Lockdown 2 (today is the halfway point, not that I’m counting), but not the last, as I have some exciting things lined up. Not many writers can commit right now, so I’m doubly grateful to acclaimed guest author Tyler Keevil, who grew up in Vancouver and now lives … Continue reading
Reading Round-up – October 2020 #2
Welcome to the my latest reading round-up. I soon realised that covering four books a week would be a stretch once I’d cleared my backlog (I read fast, but not that fast, and if everything was worth recommending there wouldn’t be much point to this) – so I hope you’ll continue to join me ‘as … Continue reading
Reading Round-up – October 2020 #1
The first quick-fire round-up went down well last week, prompting lots of shares and interesting conversations, which was the whole idea. Thanks to you I also added a few promising titles to my own TBR list. Today I’m going to dive straight in with four more novels I’d recommend as there’s lots to say about … Continue reading
Reading Round-up – September 2020
Last week’s Writers on Location post was a heart-warming start to autumn on the Sofa with Jude Cook reliving the childhood memories of Paris which inspired his new novel Jacob’s Advice (Unbound). There will be more guest author posts in the months ahead, with Tyler Keevil (Your Still Beating Heart, Myriad Editions) and Cath Barton … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Jude Cook on Paris
Lots of readers seemed to connect with last week’s blog post which was much more personal than I would normally write. People have thanked me and I’d like to thank everyone who read it and/or got in touch. That means a lot to me. Today it’s back to business as usual, if you can call … Continue reading
Nothing like September
If all you want is the book/blog stuff, head straight to the final paragraph. As I return to the Sofa after a long ‘break’, I’d love to be writing the usual September post in which I’m fired up after a lovely trip to France, full of optimism and plans. But I can’t (and you’d probably … Continue reading
Guest Author – Justin Myers on generational conflict
It’s always an honour when the authors of books I’ve connected with agree to appear on the Literary Sofa, but today is unique because I’m hosting someone whose writing I have not only enjoyed for a very long time but since before I had a clue who he was. Never one to be deterred by … Continue reading
Guest Author – Amanda Huggins on the Importance of location in fiction
Regular visitors to the Sofa will know that short fiction doesn’t often pop up here, so when it does, it’s something really special. Today’s guest Amanda Huggins is the first short fiction writer ever to appear twice on the blog and the timing is perfect to congratulate her on winning the 2020 Colm Tóibín International … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Jane Johnson on Cornwall
So far I’ve hosted far fewer Writers on Location posts than usual this year but am making up for that now with two in a row on books from my Summer Reads selection: last week it was the gorgeous Greek island of Paros for Dugald Bruce-Lockhart’s thriller The Lizard and today, a visit to Cornwall … Continue reading
My Novel – Now out in paperback
