THE QUACK

THE STORY OF WRITING A NOVEL PART 5: THE FINISH LINE.

“Can you sign this one for my personal trainer? Say thank you for looking after my dad.”
 
To wrap up 'The Story of Writing A Novel' series, I officially launch my debut novel into the world. To celebrate, I overordered merchandise and threw a book launch at INK&84 in North London. 
Skip introduction: 2:25
Order| Amy Elman Doesn't Feel Sexy at Ink
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Follow | @MaryNewnhamWrites
Sound | Soundstripe.com
 

HOW TO AUTHOR: LAURA MARSHALL

On the last episode of How to Author, I talk to Sunday Times Bestseller Laura Marshall. (Friend Request, My Husband's Killer, Kiss Marry Kill). We talk about her success as a thriller author, building a life around full-time writing, and question how important social media is for an author. A fantastic chat full of solid advice for any writer out there.
 
Laura's latest book, 'Kiss Marry Kill', is OUT NOW!
My debut, 'Amy Elman Doesn't Feel Sexy', is out THIS WEEK!
 
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@LauraMarshallAuthor
@MaryNewnhamWrites
 
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HOW *NOT* TO SET GOALS IN 2026

"Drink water, compliment one stranger a day, travel to somewhere hot, travel to somewhere cultural, save the environment, and wear a red Slipknot mask..."
 
Happy 2026! This week's Quack is about goal culture. Is it me, or are we trying to achieve too much? Even the arts have goals now. 
 
Preorder Amy Elman Doesn't Feel Sexy.
Read | TheQuack.blog
Follow | @marynewnhamwrites
 
Sound | Soundstripe.com

HOW TO AUTHOR: GEORGIA STONE

On today's episode of the mini series, How to Author, I talk to romance novelist, Georgia Stone. (Friendship Fling, The Roommate Rule).
We talk about Georgia's journey from Bookstagrammer to self-publishing her first novel, to signing a book deal with Hodder. We discuss writing routines, building author communities, and using social media effectively. It's a bubbly conversation filled with tips and tricks to help any new author.
 
Preorder Georgia's next novel - 'The Roommate Rule' (May 21st 2016)
Preorder Mary's debut - 'Amy Elman Doesn't Feel Sexy'
 
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MaryNewnhamWrites
GeorgiaStoneWrites

HOW TO AUTHOR: FIONA GIBSON

In the first episode of the mini-series 'How to Author', I talk to best-selling novelist Fiona Gibson. ('The Woman Who Ran Away From Everything', 'The Full Nest', 'When Life Gives You Lemons'). We discuss Fiona's author journey, balancing family life, handling negative reviews, and her writing ticks. It's a lively conversation (lots of giggling) with solid advice for any writer.
 
Books
You can preorder Fiona's latest book (February 20th) - 'The Woman Who Turned Her Life Around' NOW!
You can also preorder my debut - 'Amy Elman Doesn't Feel Sexy'
 
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@MaryNewnhamWrites
@Fiona_Gib  and subscribe to Fiona's Substack - All Grown Up by Fiona Gibson.

THE WEEK MY BOOK CAME OUT IN GERMANY

“'This isn’t happiness' is about a woman’s inner turmoil when the intimacy vanishes from a relationship…” *Puffs cigarette*
 
On this week's episode, I try my best to be cool as I launch my book, 'This isn't happiness', in Germany.
 
Visit: TheQuack.Blog
Buy: This isn't happiness (German translation)
Preorder: Amy Elman Doesn't Feel Sexy (UK version)
Follow: @MaryNewnhamWrites

HOW TO AUTHOR: JANUARY 2026

In the lead-up to the launch of my debut novel, Amy Elman Doesn't Feel Sexy, I am asking three established authors for advice about the author life. Join me here on The Quack for the first episode of HOW TO AUTHOR—coming Monday, January 5th. 
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Visit: TheQuack.Blog
 

THE STORY OF WRITING A NOVEL PART 4: THE BOOK THAT CAME TO LIFE.

"I, an adult, had made some characters in my head, and now I’m in a boardroom, having a professional discussion with another adult about them..."
 
It's Part 4 of the Story of Writing a Novel, and some remarkable things are starting to happen. Includes a failed therapy session and the creation of a Liverpudlian stripper. 
 
(Note: there is some swearing in this episode. Also note, some dialogue has been exaggerated for creative purposes.) 
 
Visit | TheQuack.blog
Follow| @marynewnhamwrites
Preorder | Amy Elman Doesn't Feel Sexy
Sound| Soundstripe.com
 
 

CAN YOU SURVIVE THE ROMANTIC GETAWAY?

"We paused in front of the bed, where there was a display of red and white balloons." 🇫🇷🎈
I had my first romantic getaway in Paris. I was so concerned about discovering unflattering details about my new boyfriend that I had completely forgotten just how tricky I could be to travel with.
 
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Follow | MaryNewnhamWrites
Sound | Soundstripe.com
Preorder | Amy Elman Doesn't Feel Sexy

THE STORY OF WRITING A NOVEL PART 3: THE CRINGE ERA.

I couldn't risk wasting time on real men when I had fictional men to worry about.
 
This week, we continue the story writing the book. This is the part where I try to get an agent and fail at dating — also known as 'The Cringe Era'.
 
Listen to Parts 1 and 2 before this episode.
 
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Follow | @MaryNewnhamWrites
Skip Introduction | 3:15
Sound | Soundstripe.com
 
Preorder Amy Elman Doesn't Feel Sexy on Amazon