Newsletter #10 - Of Siblings and Stories
Phew! It’s been busy with the launch of The Unchosen One: bookshop signings with lovely conversations; an online author panel with thousands of children; book club discussions; and a wonderful launch event at Eastbourne Library. Thank you very much to all of you who have borrowed or bought The Unchosen One, engaged with my social media posts, attended events, reviewed the book, or spread the word about it. Your support is truly appreciated. If you haven’t grabbed a copy yet and would like to, please click here.
And so…
Now the bulk of the launch is over, my brain has some space, and I’m frantically writing. If you’ve read several of my books, you might notice that siblings feature frequently – I find them so fun to write! And there are more sibling stories on the way.
Why am I so endlessly fascinated with siblings? Well, I have six children of my own and I love watching their relationship dynamics as they grow. Plenty of inspiration there! In addition to that, I think the sibling relationship can be so varied, complex, and important. Siblings are the people that you are bonded with by blood for life, whatever the nature of the relationship.
Here are some different angles of sibling relationships in my books and why I wrote them.
PICTURE BOOKS
The Magic Crayon, illustrated by Ali Pye (Puffin, 2021)
This one is very much a ‘love-hate’ sibling vibe. In this story, Jack is older at seven years old, and Chloe is only slightly younger at six. Unfortunately for Chloe, Jack likes causing trouble - but it’s Chloe who keeps on getting the blame.
In utter frustration, Chloe draws a picture of a witch to turn Jack into a frog. But she is horrified when the drawing comes to life and the witch whisks Jack away into a magical fairytale wood. As soon as her brother vanishes, Chloe’s frustration at Jack is replaced by her sisterly love, and she begins an epic rescue quest.
I love the idea that very different emotions can co-exist. You can be utterly frustrated by someone and yet really love them at the same time. This can be very true of siblings. And I hope this picture book helps young readers navigate the sometimes-complicated sibling bond.
For more like this:
The Bestest Big Brother Ever written and illustrated by Ben Mantle, also the fabulous illustrator of my The House At The Edge of Magic series and my The Unchosen One books! (Walker Books, 2025). A lovely book about young siblings working out themselves and their relationship with each other.
CHAPTER BOOKS
Pirate Blunderbeard series, illustrated by Ben Cort (HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2017-2018)
As a hapless and somewhat disastrous younger sibling, Pirate Blunderbeard is always trying to either impress or defeat his successful big brother, Blackbeard (not the nicest pirate in the world).
Although it’s written in diary format, Blackbeard (who is also, unfortunately, the revered director of PARPS – Pirates Against Rubbish Piracy Society) regularly writes frustrated letters to Pirate Blunderbeard and appears in the illustrations.
I enjoyed blending the underdog trope with (one-sided!) sibling rivalry in this series. Children can often feel they have to live up to expectations – whether family expectations or their own. I hope this series helps children explore their frustrations and concerns around this, and discover that they can be successful at being themselves, which is enough.
For more like this
Loki series written and illustrated by Louie Stowell (Walker Books, 2022- ongoing). A fun diary-style book exploring what happens when Norse trickster god Loki is banished from his home and sent to Earth as an 11-year-old boy.
ADULT FICTION
The Players Act 1 : All The World’s A Stage (Sword & Fiddle Publishing, 2025)
Writing adult fiction has allowed me to explore character at a deeper level, which to me, is one of the most exciting things about writing. And I love the fact that even as adults, some things just don’t change when it comes to siblings!
There is deep affection between the two brothers in this series (Thomas, the overbearing older one, and Benedict, the long-suffering younger one), but there is also deep frustration. This conflict provides heaps of opportunities for character development and plot.
As well as sharing a challenging upbringing, the brothers have several personality qualities in common – their passion, their earnestness, their love of Shakespeare – but they come at life from very different angles. One is blinded by ambition; the other is blinded by love – and neither can understand the other’s perspective.
I’m enjoying their relationship arc as it continues into book 2.
For more like this:
When We Were Divided by Liz Flanagan (Fox & Ink Books, 2026) is about two sisters on opposing sides of the English Civil War in 1643. I’m yet to read this, but it’s on my TBR after being recommended to me by a bookseller who knows her historical stuff!
WHAT’S NEXT FOR SIBLING STORIES?
Well, there’s always room for more! With most of my stories, a sibling is never usually far behind. I’m continuing to write The Players Act 2 (the rest of the title is yet to be announced!), working on a period drama film script which features two brothers who were born 20 years apart (fascinating to explore), and developing a new middle grade duology about a young boy and his sibling (yet to decide if it’s a brother or a sister – it could go either way, so watch this space!)
What about you? Do you like reading sibling stories? What are your favourite sibling relationships? Who are your favourite sibling characters?
READER EXCLUSIVE
As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, I’m delighted to share a brand new short story set in the world of The House At The Edge of Magic, exclusively for subscribers. So lovely to return to the House and hang out with the inhabitants again! The story is called ‘Laundry Day’ and I hope you enjoy it! You can download it here…
Download “Laundry Day - a House At The Edge Of Magic story” here.
EVENTS!
I’m really excited about some events coming up! I always love meeting my readers! Dates are still coming together so I’ll be sending out more information as it comes in. Currently:
Saturday 25th August, 1pm - Exeter Waterstones
Join me for a fun fantasy-themed activity session in the bookshop.
CURRENTLY READING
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher.
I’m trying to read more YA and really enjoying this funny historical romance.
AUTHOR CORNER
I’m delighted to share with you some fantastic authors I’ve discovered across all ages and genres. To kick off the Author Corner, allow me to introduce... ANDY SHEPHERD!
Welcome to the newsletter! Tell us about yourself.
I spent a lot of time scribbling stories as a kid but didn’t really get back into writing until my sons were young. It was telling them stories that reminded me how much I loved making up characters and worlds and it was their excitement to hear just one more chapter that actually got The Boy Who Grew Dragons written.
I particularly love writing for the 7-9 age group. This is the time where stories are still shared and yet children are also stepping into reading independently. I try and write stories that will appeal to children and the grown-ups they read them with, because for me shared storytime is so important and if we are enjoying the books ourselves that can just add to the magic. I wrote them very much with my own son in mind. He wanted the rich stories his older brother was reading but without quite as much peril and with subjects that would capture his imagination.
What kinds of stories do you like writing?
My stories are rooted in the everyday world, but have this idea that even in the most ordinary places magic can grow and transform our lives, especially if we take the time to slow down and open our eyes. Kindness – to each other and the natural world – along with creativity and imagination are very much key fertilisers. The more I write the more I see how deep-rooted these ideas are, as their tendrils keep bursting out into all my books!
Describe your writing voice in three words.
I’d like to think: heartfelt, funny, thoughtful. My husband says warm, funny and lyrical. So hopefully I’m not a million miles off with those three.
And tell us about your new book coming out!
The Wood Where Stories Sing is the sequel to The Wood Where Magic Grows which came out last summer.
Iggy, Mae and Cal, aka the Treetoppers, have discovered the wonder of Wildtop Wood, where wooden animals scamper, a driftwood horse roams, living treehouses burst from the canopy and petal birds take flight.
But there’s a storm gathering and the trees, who have become their friends, are threatened on all sides. The stories we tell matter and it’s up to the Treetoppers to sing their own story and save their home.
I wanted to write a story that encourages children to see the magic that is growing all around us. To look for faces in trees and whisper secrets to them. To rally to protect these green guardians that we walk among. But above all to leap into the treetops and have fun!
Where can readers find out more?
I have a website with lots of free resources and videos which you can find here: https://www.andyshepherdwriter.co.uk
And you can find me on Instagram & Facebook @andyshepherdwriter
I really do value your support, so thanks so much for reading the newsletter! Please do feel free to forward it on to anyone who might be interested.
If you ever have any questions for me, do feel free to contact me through my agent via my website or send me a DM via my social media platforms:
Mastodon: @[email protected]
Happy reading,
Amy
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