3 years
Three years ago today, I signed my very first publishing contract! Now I’m five books in, what have I learned so far? Trust your gut While there are people in this industry from whom you can learn a lot, including identifying the right time to scrap or change a manuscript, ultimately you are a writerContinue reading “3 years”
The Wake audiobook
It’s audio publication day for The Wake! You can now download my fifth psychological suspense novel from Audible. Narrated by the wonderful Rosie Akerman and produced by Dreamscape Media.
In the Dark pre-order
My fifth psychological suspense novel, In the Dark, goes up for pre-order today! Available on Kindle and in paperback, out 03/03. Is a situation ever black and white? Liv knows what kind of boy her grandson is. She knows Seb would never do anything to hurt his girlfriend Izzy. But could the shadow cast byContinue reading “In the Dark pre-order”
In the Dark cover reveal
I am so excited to reveal the cover to my fifth psychological suspense novel, In the Dark! I’m so proud of this book. It’s the one I wrote in 5 weeks last summer after abandoning another novel, and I was so lucky that these characters arrived almost fully-formed, ready to tell me their stories. AlthoughContinue reading “In the Dark cover reveal”
Happy new year!
I know, I’m a week late. But hasn’t 2021 started with a bang? Monday was my first working day of the year, and that meant dealing with the fallout of the Brexit transition period ending. For those of you who don’t know, by day I work in regulatory & compliance within the medical device industry,Continue reading “Happy new year!”
Exciting news!
I can’t really believe I’m writing this, but I have just been signed by the wonderful Emily Glenister at DHH Literary Agency! I submitted my historical fiction novel during their Pitch DHH event, and was thrilled to get a slot. I’ve never pitched in person before, and was nervous about saying enough, but not too much, aboutContinue reading “Exciting news!”
Book news
So book 5 has a new title and a brilliant cover! It’s now called In the Dark and will be out on March 3rd. I can’t share the cover for ages yet, but I hope you’re all going to love it as much as I do. What else has been going on? Well, I’ve beenContinue reading “Book news”
My dog is famous
After speaking to the lovely Piper at Happening in Herts, I was thrilled that she chose Ivy to feature in the 2021 dog calendar. All proceeds from the calendar will go to St Andrew’s School in Stanstead Abbotts and ALFs pet foodbank in Hertford, which is a very worthy cause helping families feed their pets during thisContinue reading “My dog is famous”
New cover for The Wake
The Wake has got a brand new cover, and it’s a corker! Perfect for Spooktober too. What do you think? The new cover should be live on Amazon soon. Still just 99p to download! Discover this addictive and totally gripping psychological suspense from the bestselling author of Girl, Lost. Can death bring a family together orContinue reading “New cover for The Wake”
The Wake: Preorder
Today’s the day! You can finally get your hands on a copy of The Wake, my fourth psychological suspense novel. Kindle and paperback will be published on the 27th of October, with the audiobook to follow in 2021. Click here to preorder your copy! I also wanted to take some time to tell you aContinue reading “The Wake: Preorder”
Welcome to The Bandwagon!
Followers of this website might not be familiar with my very first baby, The Bandwagon, which started as a blog in 2014 when I was still a student. When I signed my first publishing contract, I found I didn’t have enough time to keep up with it, but now we’re back and even better thanContinue reading “Welcome to The Bandwagon!”
Book 5
October! This year really is zipping by. The Wake is out in just 20 days, and it’s already in the hands of reviewers – eek! And I just received the publication schedule for book five. At Fault is coming out on the 3rd of March 2021, which also marks three years since I signed my first publishing contract. FiveContinue reading “Book 5”
Reviews
Today I noticed that Girl, Lost has 130 ratings on Amazon. The Diary was published almost 2 years ago and only has 137 ratings, and The Girl Across the Street has 132 after almost 18 months since publication. What does this mean in real terms? Well, it means that more people are reading Girl, Lost,Continue reading “Reviews”
New project
After finishing my latest manuscript in 5 weeks, you’d think I’d take a break, but no. Last week I started a new project in a brand new genre for me (Gothic historical fiction, think Laura Purcell) and managed to write 9000 words. I can sleep when I’m dead, or at least when I don’t haveContinue reading “New project”
Heatwave
Who else is sick of this hot weather? I know I am, and the puppy has been suffering too. I’ve been trying to edit The Wake after I finish the day job, but it’s just too hot to do anything except splash around in the paddling pool with Ivy. Thankfully it’s going to cool downContinue reading “Heatwave”
Not the Booker Prize 2020
Girl, Lost has made the longlist for the Not the Booker Prize 2020! I’m so thrilled to be included amongst so many fabulous authors. Huge thanks to everyone who nominated me, and congratulations to all who made the longlist! Next up is the shortlist. If you’d like to vote in this round, all you needContinue reading “Not the Booker Prize 2020”
First draft done
5 weeks ago, I scrapped a book I’d been wrestling with for about 2 months and pitched a new idea to my publisher. Today I finished the first draft of that new book, 77,000 words and a lot of evening & weekend writing later. Next week I’ll give it a structural edit and then it’llContinue reading “First draft done”
Diversity
Recently, diversity has been at the forefront of many conversations in the publishing world, and with good reason. But as an aside to the current discussions, it’s got me thinking about how often we see characters with disabilities in books and on screen, and when we do, how those characters are portrayed. It’s why IContinue reading “Diversity”
Abandoned
Last Friday, I abandoned the book I’d been working on for almost two months. I’d rewritten it three times, cut it, changed it, removed characters, added characters. I’d done just about everything I could to make it work. But it just wouldn’t, and I was forced to admit defeat. I scrapped it, put it inContinue reading “Abandoned”
A good run
A couple of days ago, Girl, Lost fell out of the top 100 and the price went up from 99p to £1.99. The first thing I felt was something akin to panic. Had it stayed in there for long enough? Would my publisher be happy with the sales? Would I be happy with the sales? Is the bookContinue reading “A good run”
Bestseller
Girl, Lost has reached the top 100 on Amazon! Writing this book was a bit of a gamble for me. It took me out of contract early on in my career, and at one point I was worried it would never find a home. So for it to be sitting at number 60 in theContinue reading “Bestseller”
Another 18th, another publication day
Today is publication day for Girl, Lost! It’s been over a year since my last, and I’m still feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. It is however my first lockdown publication day, so the launch party is taking place over on Facebook. Feel free to join in!
International Women’s Day
And 1 year since my second psychological thriller, The Girl Across the Street, was published by Bookouture. What have I learned during the past year? Hopefully lots! Most importantly, I’ve learned to trust my gut. To write the book that takes over my heart and my mind. To enjoy every moment. My third novel isContinue reading “International Women’s Day”
Always the 18th
Readers of my debut novel, The Diary, will know that the 18th of October is Hannah’s birthday. And so, on this day, I am thrilled to announce that I have just signed a three-book deal with Bloodhound Books! My third psychological thriller will publish in 2020, followed by two more. I’m so pleased my books haveContinue reading “Always the 18th”
One year ago
One year ago today, The Diary went up for preorder. My debut novel, my first book baby, was out in the world for people to buy. I was at work, just like I am today, impatiently waiting for my publisher to share the news on social media. This is it, I thought, giddy, the beginningContinue reading “One year ago”
Top 100
The Girl Across the Street has made it into the top 100 paid in Kindle Store! Thanks to everyone who has bought, read, & reviewed my second novel.
Exciting news!
Bookouture are thrilled to announce the signing of debut author Vikki Patis in a World rights deal for two dark psychological thrillers. Read the full article here.
Subscribe to My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
