Amy Sparkes

The novel of 'The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage' by Amy Sparkes... partially obscured by two bananas.

🍌5% off🍌
Amazon (UK) is offering 5% discount on #Players1715, saving a whole 41p! You can buy 2 bananas with that. So, you get a health boost and a book*. What more could you want?

*Bananas not included with book
www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-...

#BookSky
#comedyandtragedy (and bananas)
#histfic

It's always nail-biting when you send something new out into the world, especially a 'first'. #Players1715 is my 1st book for adults & 1st #historicalfiction. Grateful for encouraging words from early readers.
www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-...

#Shakespeare #BookReview #BookSky
Cover: Sarah Christie

Today the curtain rises on my adult #histfict debut: THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.
These broken but beautiful players have been with me a long time. I've walked beside them, listened to their pain, chuckled at their antics and despaired at their decisions for many years now.
#BookSky

🎼Listen to the Players Playlist and find out more about the book here: adults.amysparkes.co.uk

📚You can order from your local bookshop
Or Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-...
Or Kobo: www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...

Thank you from me and the players. Here's a health to the company! 🍷

🎭🥁🎻🎲⚔️💀❤️‍🩹

Huge thanks to cover designer Sarah Christie, editor @catcamacho1.bsky.social proof-reader Ally Wilkes @unheimlichmanvr.bsky.social, sensitivity reader @pridereads.bsky.social, and everyone else who has given feedback or encouraged me with this book along the way.
#Players1715

Today the curtain rises on my adult #histfict debut: THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.
These broken but beautiful players have been with me a long time. I've walked beside them, listened to their pain, chuckled at their antics and despaired at their decisions for many years now.
#BookSky

Over the moon to see 'The House At The Edge of Magic' beautifully illustrated by @benmantle.bsky.social shortlisted for the Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards! A huge honour.

Congratulations to the other authors and illustrators in all categories.
#thehouseattheedgeofmagic
#BookSky
#kidlit

The Players Act 1 ebook by Amy Sparkes - Rakuten Kobo Read "The Players Act 1 All The World's A Stage" by Amy Sparkes available from Rakuten Kobo. How far would you go to save what you truly love? Devon, 1715. When society doesn’t understand you, and you...

Minchin is the best muse. You might just find a cameo in the book... 💀
You can pre-order e-books here:
www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/... (check out the preview)
www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-...
Paperbacks available to pre-order from bookshops or Amazon from 29th July.
Thank you from me and him 💀

Historical fiction is often considered to be very serious, but comedy has always existed. When researching, I devoured 'The Itinerant, Or The Memoirs of an Actor' by Samuel Ryley (1759-1837). His writing is so warm, so engaging, so perfect in its comical timing. Had me chuckling.
#HIstoricalFiction

A skull sits on the boards of a stage with a peacock feather in its teeth and a pocket watch in front of it.

An open copy of 'The Itinerant, Or The Memoirs Of An Actor' by Samuel Ryley on a table, beside a nice cup of coffee.

The novel cover of 'The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage' by Amy Sparkes. Tagline: how far would you go to save what you truly love? The ribbon tumbles down a parchment-coloured cover, bearing the book title. Five commedia dell'Arte characters in purple are dotted around.

ONE WEEK TO GO!
'The Players Act 1' is out on 29th July & I found these photos last night whilst sorting storage on my phone. Allow me to introduce Minchin. He adores photoshoots and it's lovely working with a skull with a good sense of humour (and mischief). We get on well.
#Players1715
#BookSky

Thank you very much! Sarah Christie did the design and I'm so pleased with it :)

Cover of "The Players Act 1" by Amy Sparkes. Behind the book a hawker playing a drum is visible, and a peacock feather protrudes from the other side. In the background is a green curtain. A bit of smoke envelopes all.

E-book available:

www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...

www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-...

(paperbacks available at Amazon on 29th July)

You can also order paperbacks from Waterstones or your local bookshop

🎭🎻🥁🎲⚔💀❤️‍🩹

Cover: Sarah Christie

Film: @swordandfiddle.co.uk

#BookSky

Only 10 days until 'The Players Act 1: All the World's A Stage' is out! In the 1700s, Shakespeare reliably draw a crowd and was often performed by strolling theatre companies. Discover each main character's favourite Shakespeare quote.
#Players1715
#BookSky
#historicalfiction
#Shakespeare

Oooh! Thank you very much. Hope you enjoy the second half of the series :)

**Writers**
I'm running a free character workshop for subscribers of my Story Godmother newsletter (also free). Friday 11th July - so sign up quick if you'd like to come along. Details of the workshop in the newsletter:

buttondown.com/storygodmother
Thanks!

So lovely to be invited onto this. Thank you @writersonline.bsky.social for letting me chat away about everything from finding buried treasure to the importance of emotion to the Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize!

Reading for pleasure is the right of every child. Proper funding for libraries and librarians essential

***WRITERS***
Two months to go until the Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize submission window opens again. We are looking for picture book and chapter book entries from unagented and not-yet-published authors. Very excited!
For more info:
www.storygodmother.co.uk/index.php/op...

#kidlitUK

A smiling Amy Sparkes stands in front of a green curtain, holding a copy of her new historical fiction book: THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.

One proof copy is closed and rests on a green curtain. The second copy is opened showing the title page, THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE, Amy Sparkes.

Two copies of THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE rest against a green curtain. The cover has a parchment-coloured background with the title spiralling down on a pale ribbon. Five commedia dell'arte character in purple are dotted around. There are various objects such as a hammer, a skull, a pocket-watch, the theatre masks and a fiddle visible on the cover. A grey proof copy ribbon runs across the cover saying 'Not for resale'.

Proof copies have just arrived! So happy to finally hold a copy. Thanks to my husband, Alyn, for formatting, Cat Camacho for editing & Ally Wilkes for proofreading.
Cover: Sarah Christie
🎭🎻🥁💀🎲⚔❤️‍🩹
Paperback available: 29th July
www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-...

#BookSky #HistoricalFiction #Players1715

Left hand panel has a parchment-coloured background and has a Commedia Dell'Arte female character in a long dress and holding a tambourine. Reads: Paperback release! Available to purchase from Amazon starting on July 29th. On the right hand side is a cover of the book by Amy Sparkes. On a parchment coloured background, a ribbon tumbles down bearing the title: THE PLAYERS ACT 1 : ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE. Commedia dell'Arte characters dressed in purple. Tagline: How far would you go to save what you truly love?

Delighted to say that a paperback edition of THE PLAYERS ACT 1 can be ordered from 29th July. Can't wait to share this story of comedy & tragedy, Shakespeare & swords, heart & hope. It's been a joy to work on 🙂
🎭🎻🥁🎲💀⚔️❤️‍🩹
#players1715
#BookSky #histfic
Cover: Sarah Christie
adults.amysparkes.co.uk

Writing Key Moments Learn how to use key moments (internal and external) to create dynamic, engaging and memorable storytelling.

Excited to run this #writingclass on Key Moments on 1st July 7pm BST, exploring:

What key moments are
Why they're important
When they're most effective
The relationship between key moments & readers
Using them in plot, character, emotion & theme

For more info:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-ke...

Book cover: The Tower At The End Of Time by Amy Sparkes. Indigo Kids exclusive edition. Cover shows a wonky tower with many turrets and pointed spires branching off the main tower. Nine, a scruffy orphan girl, is visible standing at the top on a turrret. Flabberghast the wizard is further down, on a different part of the tower. Eric the troll is visible in a different window. The background is soft pinks and orange, speckled with sparkling stars. Sprayed edges are dark pink with white images of a wonky tower.

Book cover: The Tower At The End Of Time by Amy Sparkes. Barnes and Noble exclusive edition. Cover shows a wonky tower with many turrets and pointed spires branching off the main tower. Nine, a scruffy orphan girl, is visible standing at the top on a turrret. Flabberghast the wizard is further down, on a different part of the tower. Eric the troll is visible in a different window. The background is soft pinks and orange, speckled with sparkling stars.

Book cover: The Tower At The End Of Time by Amy Sparkes. Indigo Kids exclusive edition. Cover shows a wonky tower with many turrets and pointed spires branching off the main tower. Nine, a scruffy orphan girl, is visible standing at the top on a turrret. Flabberghast the wizard is further down, on a different part of the tower. Eric the troll is visible in a different window. The background is soft pinks and orange, speckled with sparkling stars.

Happy Book Birthday to #TowerAtTheEndOfTime, out today in Canada and US! To all the readers over there: hope you enjoy the next part of the adventure ♥️ Thanks to all at @simonkids.bsky.social, @barnesandnoble.com and Indigo Kids for the amazing special editions!

#HouseAtTheEdgeOfMagic
#BookSky

Thank you sooo much! Every copy of House sold donates 5% of my royalties to a baby charity called ICP Support, so it's done a little bit of good, too :)
Thanks for asking about Players - yes, it's out in paperback, too on 29th July :)

That's good to hear. Yes, we've been doing it for many years, too! Some of mine are similar age to yours. It's hard work sometimes, of course, but like you - best decision ever ♥️

That's lovely 😊 Hope your home ed journey is going well.

Illustrators are incredible. I am always in awe. Looking forward to reading the book.

This looks amazing!

Well, this looks fabulous!

A really lovely time 😊

I set myself the challenge of writing a script which told a story in about 2 minutes. I can't tell you how much fun it was filming this. A lot of laughter, and working with some very talented people. An absolute joy ♥️