Things have got a bit hectic what with new clients and book edits, so I'm just darting in to your inbox to say I hope you're all doing very well – and to share a few snapshots of a lovely couple of weeks. Some of it is stuff I shared on Notes, but given I think most people aren’t using the Substack app, I’m sharing again here.

I don’t know when this email is going to truncate, but do click to see it in the browser if you want to see some truly creepy and brilliant art. I’ll say goodbye here in case you don’t make it to the end. Have a lovely weekend!!

Speaking

I spoke at the BASH Creatives Networking event in Barnaby’s Lounge Bar and Café and tried to convince everyone to stop worrying about going viral and start connecting with their followers via email, real world events, podcasts and anything else that might free them from the tyranny of the algorithm. (I said I was a pioneer because technically it just means one of the first, not one of the best.)

I also spoke at the Street Agency’s International Women’s Day breakfast at Soho House, but that doesn’t mean much since anyone who wanted to take the mic got 2 minutes to share a message or pearl of wisdom. Everyone who spoke said something worth hearing, and it was a really lovely and positive way to spend a morning. Since the event was all about getting your voices heard, my advice was the same as it had been at the BASH event: stop worrying about going viral, don't be afraid to think smaller, try to make meaningful connections.

(Additional pro tip: if you're ever offered the opportunity to take the mic at a networking event, screw down your courage to the sticking place and take to the floor. If you're introverted or find social interaction hard, taking the mic means everyone knows who you are and you've just avoided the most awkward bit of any mingling session. So yes, it might be painful in the short term, but in the long term you've saved yourself a lot of awkwardness.

Afterwards, my mate Darika and I went to BAFTA to make the most of my membership while it still lasts (can’t imagine they’ll let me in again since I haven’t had a new TV option for years). Also, to eat their amazing chips and write in the sunshine.

Fat Tuesday In St Leonards-on-Sea

I had an absolutely brilliant Saturday back at the start of the month enjoying Hastings Fat Tuesday1 Acoustic day. Three venues sampled, six acts seen. And we got to hang out with one of our oldest friends. The highlight was the final act. The Kukes finished our evening with the most beautiful set that made us all feel high on life and happiness. Music really is like magic isn’t it? And it’s so mad and wonderful that humans feel the need to do it.

Singing

I went along to a folk night the other day where you sit round and take it in turns to sing (if you want to). You can opt to have people join in or sing solo depending on your fancy. I did Kathy’s Song with Alex on guitar and didn’t let people join in. What a meanie! Next time, I’ll pick something with a rousing chorus for people to do some harmonies, because it sounded amazing when we all sang together. I just wasn’t ready for it on my first go.

It was such a wholesome and beautiful experience. Everyone was excellent. Later in the week a few of us gathered again to sing at our friend Paul’s house.

Also there was Isobel Anderson, who hasn’t performed in public for eight years and and who sings like a magical Scottish angel. What a privilege it was to hear her sing. She has over 30m listens on Spotify, but focuses on her business now – the excellently named Girls Twiddling Knobs. (I haven’t shared her song because I don’t have her permission) but you can find her on Spotify here:

Emily-Jane Clark in the house!

EJ came to stay! Usually Alex brings all the children’s authors to the yard, but EJ is my addition to our collection. She is part of my much-cherished writing gang which is sometimes called the Sketchy Bitches (because we used to write comedy sketches together), sometimes called the Writing Crew, and sometimes called the Scarecrows (because we’re outstanding in our field, which is something we all found inordinately amusing when we were spitballing ideas and I think that tells you what you need to know about how sober we were at the time).

Emily-Jane is the author of two extremely funny children’s books set in a place called Knobbly Bottom.

Art

Today I popped down to see Elinar Rudzite’s amazing art exhibtion down in the magical kingdom that is St Andrew’s Mews. Check this stuff out. Isn’t it phenominal?! Have a look at her instagram for more shots.