Frances' Writblr

It’s a new year, and with it comes a moment to reflect on the one just gone.  A meaningful experience I’ve had this last year, was delivering a speech for Hope Night, an event run by the New Zealand Eating Disorders Clinic (NZDEC). I spoke about my journey as someone who has recovered from anorexia, and about how being neurodiverse moulded that experience. Sharing something so personal was…

This year’s been a bit disappointing on the reading-front. However, I did read three fantastic books: THE CASTLE OF OTRANTO by Horace Walpole An interesting read. It resembles Hamlet quite a bit with its main character being haunted by his father. Walpole acknowledges being heavily inspired by the Shakespeare tragedy. I also love how the story blends a realistic historical setting with the…

I received this ARC in an exchange for an honest review. Fallen’s First by Kassidy Coursey is a dark fantasy retelling of the biblical story of Adam and Eve but using the Seven Deadly Sins of Hell instead. The story follows Saer, the demon of Pride, and his siblings as they carry out Lucifer’s command: to harvest human souls that will fuel the creation of his infernal army. Each demon is bound…

If you’re an Aucklander and head-over-heels for the romance genre, I recommend checking out the new bookstore Enamoured Books, that has recently opened in Remuera. Last week, I was interviewed by reporter Sophie Albornett of Te Waha Nui, where we discussed why a romance-dedicated bookshop is on-trend, and why the romance genre isn’t likely to ever go out of style.  To read the article where I…

As 2024 comes to an end, I’ve put together a list of my favourite reads this year.  I haven’t read as many books as in previous years, hence the short list below, because, among other less exciting reasons, I’ve been finishing a YA gothic romantasy, which is due to my agent in March.  As some of you know, last year I signed with a literary agent and this year I went on submission with an…

Duration: 2 hours Where: Heart of Bays Community Centre, Browns Bay, Meeting Room 2, 1st Floor Facilitator: Frances Denny is a writer of young adult paranormal romance. She is signed with New York literary agency, Arc Literary Management. Her latest manuscript was a finalist in the Page Turner Awards. Cost: $20 Outcomes: 1. Discover how to harness the YA voice. 2. Master the structure of…

Cost: $40When: Saturday February 3rdTime: 10am – 12pmWhere: Heart of Bays Community Centre, Meeting Room 2 (first floor), 2 Glen Road, Browns Bay, Auckland, New Zealand  Frances Denny is signed with a New York literary agency. Her latest manuscript was a finalist in the Page Turner awards, and is currently out on submission. In this workshop, she will be drawing on her research and industry…

To celebrate the end of 2023, here’s a list of books that I enjoyed reading this year. A SNAKE FALLS TO EARTH by Darcie Little Badger GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology AMAZING! Beautiful writing, well researched. An adorable friendship between Nina, a Lipan girl, and Oli, a cottonmouth (snake) boy from the land of spirits and monsters. So much to love about this book. Also, if you’re…