Philippa Ball Lewis

Feeling very honoured to be part of this line up! Can't wait to read everyone else's pieces.
#WritersOfBlueSky #AmWriting

Piranesi shouldn't be on a shelf, it should be on a plinth in the centre of every bookshop, bathed by the glow of a warm, soft spotlight, and when you are wise enough to ask for a copy to purchase, everyone else in the shop should break into applause and offer you champagne and Malteasers

I contemplated a re-read recently but wasn't sure how well it would hold up! Glad to know it has aged well.

It's all such a tricky balance.
I'm in the Middle of Nowhere, North Wales, and social media allows me to get involved/ stay up to date with the book industry in a way that simply wouldn't be possible without it - BUT what a mess it all is.

Ooh thanks for the rec! I shall add it to my ridiculously long TBR list 🙂

2025 reads: What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher. Surprisingly jolly for horror! People keep recommending T. Kingfisher to me so I'm glad to have finally got acquainted with one of her books. #BookSky #AmReading

How an editor spends maternity leave Excellent fantastical books I've read this year, short stories I've had published, and coaching for writers.

I've technically been off on maternity leave since last March, but I seem to have spent quite a lot of time thinking about stories and books anyway. Here's a little update about how I've been keeping myself busy (feral baby aside), and the best things I read in 2024.
lexicalpeaks.com/blog/materni...

Had a brilliant time at my local book club last night! We chatted about our favourite reads of 2024, which was lovely apart from now I have even more books to add to my TBR list and it is already several lifetimes long. #BookProblems

Skis plus beautiful snowy mountains and a mostly blue sky

A beautiful view of snowy summits under a layered sky.

An incredible weekend out on the snowy hills of Eryri. I spent Saturday out on my skis, and then on Sunday I took my baby on a lovely sunny stroll in the hills. Today I am VERY achy but very happy!

Snowy mountains reflected perfectly in a still llyn.

Spectacular snowy scenes in the mountains yesterday. It's strange not heading up with skis or ice axes for a big day - but if I didn't have to do a baby-paced day, I'd have missed this wonderful view. The mountains will still be there next year!

I always find it tricky switching between short stories where you don't want a single word wasted and a novel; this is such a helpful way of looking at it.

The most effective editing move is still the one I stole from George Saunders: read your draft over and over and over again, out loud, until you have to fix the bad parts because you will literally die if you have to read them more time

I had an email from an electrician recently which had loads! Of exclamation marks!! And I actually loved it because it made him sound very enthusiastic about his job. Am going to channel full exclamation mark energy into 2025 I reckon!

In more cheerful news, I'm super proud to have a short story in Dark Mountain Project's latest anthology, Dark Ocean. (I have tried endless times to post this with a photo and BlueSky keeps refusing to post it soooo you'll just have to take my word for it!) #WritersOfBlueSky #SpecLit #AmWriting

I very rarely (never?) talk about chronic pain stuff publicly because it is just boring and miserable, but I felt a bit less alone after reading this post and the replies to it ❤️

(Although if my laptop could come home soon, preferably with a working keyboard and without having been wiped again, that would be GREAT.)

My laptop is once again in laptop hospital, so this evening I'm re-drafting a short story by hand. I actually really enjoy re-writing like this but rarely find the time/focus/energy to do it. The slowness makes me consider every word and often takes me down paths I wouldn't have expected. #AmWriting

Would love to be added if you've still got spaces!

Probably one of my favourite ways to hang out with the baby is watching him snooze through the monitor whilst I'm enjoying a slow breakfast with a book. Turns out it is possible to love someone more than you could ever express and still be delighted that they are not awake yet.

What a shame! If it helps I've been very sad not to get out for a moonlit snowy walk in the mountains this evening - I bet it's been stunning 😅 Hopefully early snow bodes well for the rest of the winter!

Ah these are gorgeous. There's enough on the hills above Conwy to make me excited for a snowy walk in a bit!

The Hogfather is excellent and probably a good place to start!

Thank you!

I would love to be on the general one please! Thank you!

Although this one won points for an early and relatively niche Taylor Swift reference

Ah yes I read that one a few months ago! Loved it!

Spending my evening reading Emily Henry's Beach Read and it is a delight. Highly recommended if bookish romances are your thing! #booksky #AmReading

I haven't dressed him up yet but I did put him in a pumpkin. What is the point of having a baby if not to put him in a pumpkin??

I'm so excited to see everyone over here!!!

(Also HI I have missed you!!!)