Dear friends,
Welcome to the autumn edition of my newsletter! It’s September — one of my favourite months of the year. It’s also exactly the right season to be celebrating my retelling of the children’s classic Anne of Green Gables which is out this week. Published as part of Nosy Crow’s Illustrated Classics series, it has the most beautiful new illustrations from Isabelle Follath.
Find out more about the book on my website, or check out a preview here which shows some of Isabelle’s lovely artwork.
You can order it now from Waterstones, Bookshop.org or Amazon — or look out for copies signed by both me and Isabelle, with gorgeous specially-designed bookplates, available from independent bookshops.
This is my fifteenth (!) published book, but having a new book out doesn’t get any less exciting and nerve-wracking. Happily I’ve already seen some lovely reviews and reactions online, and it’s been especially reassuring to see lifelong Anne fans say that they approve of my interpretation.
Of course, I’m now looking forward to enjoying a very cosy, Anne-inspired autumn. If you’d like to follow along and enjoy it with me, do be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok, where I’ll be sharing what I’m up to. You can also browse my Anne of Green Gables Pinterest board to get in the mood!
Events
If you’d like to join me to celebrate Anne of Green Gables, I have several events coming up. Here are the ones which have already been confirmed - keep an eye on my website for news of more.
Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September - No Limits Festival at Normanby Hall Country Park, near Scunthorpe
Saturday 19th October - Lancaster LitFest Autumn Weekender, Lancaster
What (else) I’ve been up to
It’s been a really busy summer for me with lots of travelling and adventures, but now it’s September, I am very pleased to be back at my desk with all my stationery organised (bouquets of sharpened pencils, etc) getting stuck into my to-do list.
I’ve been working on a few different things: my adaptation of Wilkie Collins’s classic The Moonstone for Walker Books, which is out next September (another perfectly autumnal project, which has been such fun to work on) and a couple of projects which haven’t been announced yet, but which I look forward to sharing soon.
On that note, fans of the Sinclair’s Mysteries and Taylor & Rose should definitely keep their eyes open for my next newsletter, which MAY just include some details of how we will be celebrating the 10 year anniversary of The Clockwork Sparrow in 2025!
From the bookshelf
Since we’re celebrating the retelling of a classic this month, may I also recommend my retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice for the Awesomely Austen series, illustrated by Églantine Ceulemans? I had an absolutely joyful time writing this kids’ version of one of my all-time favourite books, which is perfectly accompanied by Églantine’s funny black and white illustrations.
Aimed at readers age 8 and up, I think it’s a really fun introduction to Pride & Prejudice (after which you should of course go on to watch the classic BBC TV series which in my opinion simply cannot be bettered!)
You can watch a little video introduction to the book here.
If you’re interested in more retellings of classic books for children, then do check out my ongoing booklist here (and let me know if you come across any brilliant examples that you think I should add!)
Five favourites
Here are a few books I’ve been enjoying lately:
Lockett & Wilde’s Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries: The Ghosts of the Manor by Lucy Strange, illustrated by Pam Smy
This new children’s book from Lucy Strange and Pam Smy is a delicious spooky mystery which makes ideal autumn reading. Matilda Lockett is used to playing the role of ‘Poor Dead Edna’ on stage alongside her medium aunt and theatrical uncle. But when they head to the haunted Beauchamp Manor, Matilda is amazed to discover that she really can see ghosts. Soon she has teamed up with a ghost boy, Edgar Wilde, and together they set about solving the mystery at the manor house and finding a long-lost diamond. Quirky and funny, the tone of this story reminded me somewhat of Joan Aiken (high praise indeed!) It’s also a beautiful-looking book, gorgeously designed and full of fantastic illustrations from Pam Smy that perfectly match the atmosphere of the story.
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Tim Miller
I was totally charmed by YA superstar Patrick Ness’s first foray into middle-grade. This story follows Zeke, a young lizard, who is trying to survive life at school. Zeke and his friends Daniel and Alicia have all been made ‘hall monitors’ by Principal Wombat — which is absolutely nothing to do with the fact that they are monitor lizards. Now, these three unassuming reptiles must try and impose order on arrogant lions, excitable seals, relaxed pandas, and a new student, a fearsome hawk with a very loud voice. Worst of all there is Pelicarnassus, a giant pelican school bully, who also happens to be the son of a supervillain. Wonderfully weird, this book is so pleasingly unexpected in the best possible way. But as well as being surreal and funny, it’s also a deeply warm-hearted read, which will really leave you rooting for Zeke, its likable lizard hero.
Caterpillar Hall by Anne Barrett
I was delighted to receive this book alongside the latest edition of the gab, a lovely little magazine produced by Jon Appleton to celebrate the children’s literature of the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s (there’s a brief bit of info about it here). I was intrigued to see that Jon had sent me this book, which he’s recently helped to bring back into print: I’d never heard of the author Anne Barrett before but was immediately drawn in by the opening lines. Complete with a magical umbrella, a delightful cast of characters, some mysterious time-slips and an unapologetically happy ending, this sits very much in old-fashioned classic children’s literature territory. If you enjoy that sort of thing, it’s a delight to discover. Thank you Jon - I’ll certainly be keeping my eye out for more of Anne Barrett’s work!
I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Conner
This one is a bit of a cheat because it’s not actually published until 10th October, but since this is a newsletter celebrating retellings, I had to include it. It's also one of my most anticipated books of the season, after I was lucky enough to sneak an early peek at it earlier in the year. Endorsed by Alice Oseman no less, this YA graphic novel is a glorious Regency-era romance — think Jane Austen’s Emma reimagined with a cast of queer teen characters, drawing in questions of class, race and gender and (as the back cover states) joyfully ‘rewriting the rules of happy ever after’. Perfect for fans of Bridgerton or historical romance in general, it’s a total delight. I particularly enjoyed the section at the back where author Hari Conner explores some of the real history that inspired the book, as well as work-in-progress from their sketchbook.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Now for a recommendation for adult readers. I’ve enjoyed Leigh Bardugo’s books previously, particularly Six of Crows, and Ninth House, so I was interested to read this - her first historical novel for adults. Set in late-16th-century Spain, its a magical tale rooted in real history. Luiza is a servant girl who has the power to create ‘milagritos’ — small miracles. When her power is discovered, powerful and influential people want to use it for their own ends, and soon she finds herself entangled in complex political intrigues — all while trying to keep secrets about herself, and the origins of her magical gift. Exciting, atmospheric and compelling, this book also gave me a pleasant surprise when the story didn’t quite follow the path I expected it to take.
And one more… The Children’s Bach by Helen Garner
I’m sneaking this extra one in at the last minute even though I haven’t finished it yet. But I’m relishing every word of this perfectly-formed, odd little novella for adult readers, which I think I originally saw recommended by Katie Clapham (her brilliant newsletter Receipts from the Bookshop is one of my favourites - I’d highly recommend you subscribe to, if you don’t already!) It’s not a new book, but was originally published in 1984, and was republished earlier this year. The writing is so brilliant — spare, sharp, evocative prose. I’m not surprised it’s been called ‘a jewel of a novel’ (by David Nicholls, no less) and ‘a masterpiece’.
Don't forget to check out my Bookshop.org.uk page for lots more book suggestions, or take a look at this list of all the books I've recommended previously in this newsletter.
That's all for now! I hope you've enjoyed this edition of the newsletter. Until next time, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Threads. You can also find out more on my website katherinewoodfine.co.uk and of course, you can contact me here.
Happy reading!
Katherine