Newsletter #7 - Of Walking Boots and Book Prizes
Hello, everyone!
Hello! March is here and it’s been lovely to see the sunshine after a very rainy start!
Ah, it’s been so delightfully full on lately, with projects bursting out left, right and centre through various mediums of storytelling. Sometimes, I like to scare myself and stop and count up how many ‘To Be Written’ projects there are outstanding. I think I’m currently on 14 books (across children’s and adult), 2 short story collections, 2 more feature films (plus working on the period drama one already in development), plus a TV series. One thing I’m never short on is inspiration! Time, however, is another matter.
BOOTED
Today (Sunday 1st) is a happy day: I’m delighted to announce that my latest short film, Booted, is out NOW! Booted was filmed at various locations in south-west England and looks at one family’s experience of love, loss and walking boots.
It’s just under 8 minutes long and was a really fun challenge, artistically and logistically. Artistically, because I’m very new to filmmaking, and needed to explore different ideas and angles, although I loved this exploration. And logistically, because I had to make this film in bite-size segments and fit it into an already rather busy schedule. But it was worth it completely, and I’m really pleased with the end result. I hope you like it!
The film stars Olivia Edwards (The Salt Path) and Simon Alison (Faithless: A Sojourn Story; The Ballad Of Lucy Sands), with a song by the singer-songwriter duo Sound of The Sirens woven throughout. If you’ve got 8 minutes spare, make yourself a cup of tea and watch it for free on Vimeo.
AWARD WINS
So excited to share that The Players Act 1: All The World’s A Stage won third place overall in the inaugural Bookshelfie Book Awards. A big thank you to Bookshelfie for choosing Players, and especially exciting to have won my first award for adult fiction. You can find out about the awards and winners here: Bookshelfie 2025 Award Winners.
They said:
Awarded for its impressively realised and historically accurate … setting, loveable ensemble cast, and gripping, theatrically paced prose. Its balance of humour and hardship, alongside sharp character work, brings Shakespeare vividly and imaginatively to life.
If you haven’t read Players yet and would like to, we’ve collated links to all the places you can pick up a paperback or e-Book here: Players 1715
I’m also really happy that there’s been some exciting award news for The House At The Edge Of Magic. The book’s been given the Middle School category prize in the Bookpal OWL 2025 awards (it’s short for “Outstanding Works of Literature”). According to the judges:
“I had a smile on my face from start to finish. This book is laugh-out-loud funny, wildly imaginative, and so immersive. Kids will be all in with Nine and the Magical House from page one. I can see this being a favorite(sic) for classrooms and libraries.”
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS FOR THE UNCHOSEN ONE
Although it’s not released until 7th May, ‘The Unchosen One’ is getting out and about, across the globe. I’m over the moon to see how well it’s going down with readers and reviewers.
The latest lovely review I’ve seen is from Kirkus Reviews, who said:
“Sparkes’ writing is witty, her characters charming, and the Isles of Peryll are a swirl of bright color and rich texture… An irreverent, laugh-out-loud love letter to fairy-tale adventures featuring an indomitable hero.”
You can read the full review here: THE UNCHOSEN ONE | Kirkus Reviews
I’m really pleased that the world-building in the book was acknowledged. Creating a setting away from the here-and-now is one of my favourite parts of writing, which is why so many of my stories are set in the past, or in magical places. I had so much fun creating the Isles of Peryll, drawing from fantasy tropes and throwing in plenty of humour and surprises along the way.
When creating worlds, I love creating a real sense of place - not just the geographical ‘what goes where’, (although I enjoy drawing the maps that go with the worlds), but also immersing the reader in the detail – in the magic and wonder of the scene, with the sounds, the smells, the feels, and the tastes. When I visit places, especially places like ruined castles or forests, I always try to notice details about the surroundings – details that make that particular place feel so alive, and I try to translate that attention to my writing, without bogging down the reader too much with every little thing!
Reader Exclusive!
I’m also very excited to say that in the next issue of the newsletter, I’ll be sharing the prologue and the opening chapter of The Unchosen One – exclusively for newsletter readers! Hope you enjoy it. And if you know anyone else who would like a sneaky-peek, please do tell them about or forward this newsletter. They can sign up here.
Preorders
And just a reminder that you can pre-order ‘The Unchosen One’ book here: https://www.amysparkes.co.uk/@theunchosenone Pre-orders are really helpful to authors and make a big difference, so please know that every pre-order is very much appreciated!
CURRENTLY READING
I’ve been working hard lately, but also trying to make time for reading, usually at least two books at a time. This is what I’ve been reading lately:
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson.
I’ve borrowed this from my mum as it was one of her Book Club reads. I’m really enjoying this book – a bit of a departure from books I usually read, but that is precisely why it’s captured me, I think. It’s definitely one of the slower-paced books I have read, but it is very immersive and the character voice is strong. I’m still reading it at the moment, so the process of piecing the story together is ongoing. It features a lot of flashbacks – a device I enjoy in both book and screen (and use them in my own writing), so it works for me!
The Magic Library of Waterfall Way by Julie Abe.
This is a very accessible, cosy fantasy middle-grade coming out this September. A love letter to books and libraries, this story features a protagonist trying to find their place in the world, a new take on ‘guilds’, and plenty of delicious food along the way. The hardback version of the book also has colourful spredges which look amazing.
Thanks so much for reading the newsletter! Have a fantastic March.
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:
And also now on Mastodon: @amysparkes@wandering.shop
Best wishes,