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Clare's Autumn Update!

Clare Lydon <mail@clarelydon.co.uk>

September 5, 12:15 pm

Sports galore, Tzatziki, my upcoming romance and your book hangovers!  ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Greetings from Lydon HQ where autumn is making its presence felt with typical British subtlety: which is to say, not subtle at all. One day you're lounging in shorts and flip-flops, the next you're eyeing the thermostat wondering "is it too early?" September always feels like nature's way of reminding us that summer was just a lovely dream, but now it's time to de-fluff your jumpers.

Speaking of seasonal disappointments, the WSL is about to kick off again, and I'm clinging to hope for Spurs despite our minimal summer signings. We're basically entering the season with crossed fingers and blind optimism: classic Tottenham. This weekend is also all about the Red Roses and the Girls In Green (Ireland to their friends) in the Women's Rugby World Cup. What chance an England/Ireland/Spurs triple win? I'm manifesting it.

Five Things From My Week:

  1. DIY Divas
    Friends descended on our renovated house last week armed with spirit levels, ladders, and the sort of DIY confidence I can only dream of possessing. They hung pictures with military precision, transforming bare walls into an actual home. Gotta love a toolbelt lesbian, even if I'll never be one. Our artwork has never been so perfectly straight. Nice that something in our house is.
  2. Laundry Lows
    Achieved peak domestic disaster yesterday: washed my bedding, marched triumphantly to the washing line, then promptly dropped the entire load on the damp, gritty ground. Nothing quite compares to the soul-crushing moment when freshly laundered sheets meet dirty courtyard. I let out a tiny, sad scream inside, before trudging back in to start again. At least my washing machine got a proper workout.
  3. Banging Burlesque
    This week, I caught the Burlesque musical at the Savoy Theatre with friends and bloody hell, what an evening! Pure camp brilliance from start to finish – the cast delivered stellar vocals and dancing that left us breathless. Sometimes the West End reminds you why live theatre is truly magical. If you need an injection of pure joy and sequins, this is your show.
  4. Tzatziki Triumph
    Finally attempted homemade tzatziki and it was revelatory – creamy, garlicky perfection that I want to slather on everything. The dangerous thing about discovering something delicious is my tendency to overkill it completely. I'm currently exercising superhuman restraint to avoid putting tzatziki on my morning toast. But the temptation is real.
  5. Sydney Raincheck
    Last time around, I told you I was coming to Sydney, and did anyone want to meet up for a books & coffee chat? Turns out, I was wrong! Plans abruptly changed, so my Sydney trip is now postponed. Huge thanks for the enthusiasm from everyone who replied. I'll let you know when the trip is rescheduled!

What am I working on? My upcoming sapphic romance, called Not Part Of The Plan, is going to the editor next week. Eeek! I read it through start to nearly finish this week - I still have the final four chapters to write. I'm at the stage where I'm not sure about it and I constantly think "is enough happening here?" This happens with every single book, as my wife always reminds me. I just have to trust the process, but the fear at this stage is real. I will set up a pre-order link for next time, where I will also be revealing the cover!

What am I reading? I just finished an ARC of a festive sapphic rom-com that didn't mention Christmas or introduce you to the love interest until about three-quarters of the way into the book. Don't do this. Not good. Back to my sapphic hockey romance I go. You can check out my longer list of recommended queer reads by clicking here.

Would you write me a review on my web shop? For any book of mine you've read. Reviews are important to new readers who might take a chance on me. Also, they make my shop look like a proper grown-up shop, which I very much like!

New to my books? If that's you, hello! Also, you're in luck: I created a special page on my website so you don't feel lost. I have 27 novels to dive into. Go here for your next sapphic read!

Last time's question: Last time I asked: have you ever had a book hangover so severe you couldn't start anything new for days? Thanks so much for all your answers. Here are a select few...

Lou says: "The most recent book hangover I’ve had was from reading Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth by Gwenhyver. Stayed with me for days after reading it."

Susan says: "After I finished Veritas by MJ Duncan, I had to hold off reading for a few days. It was so well put together and the setting so detailed, I felt as if I was sailing round the Virgin Islands with the ladies. I almost had to wait and let myself catch up from being on vacation."

Michelle says: "The book that wrecked me, but not in a good way: The Unfinished Line by Jen Lyon." Ann agrees: "It's still in my thoughts months after reading. The afterword by Jen saying many real-life athletes had taken their own life has stuck with me." Robin concurred, as did Vicky: "It wrecked me for days, and when I think about it, it wrecks me again!"

Lisa says: "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I could not even contemplate another book. Then a few days later, I had to read it again."

Leah says: "The book I thought about for weeks after reading it was One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston. I loved the original storyline, I revelled in the slow burn and quietly building angst. Such a different and unique plot."

Lindsey says: "Making It by Laura Kay. I’ve never cried about a chinchilla before, but to be fair, I can’t remember the last time I cried reading any book. Don’t let this put you off though, it’s a necessary part of Issy’s journey. Plus, the ending is perfection."

Shani says: "I suffer from a book hangover every time I finish reading anything by Milena McKay. Even her shorter, lighter novellas (the Cupids series) make it impossible for me to pick up a new book for at least 24 hours. The longer novels leave me incapacitated for 3-4 days."

This week's question: What's your favourite setting for a book, and is there a setting you wish someone would write? Are you itching for a Broadway sapphic romance, one set in a funeral home, or one with time travel? Is small town your vibe? Or are you more office setting, sports field, Hollywood, or a cattle ranch? Hit reply and tell me which setting you love or would like to see, and why. I'd love to know!

That's it from me. This weekend, my friend is coming over and we're taking in two games of women's football. First, at the Emirates for Arsenal vs London City Lionesses (my mate is a gooner, I'm surrounded by them!). Then on Sunday, it's Spurs vs West Ham. We've had a good pre-season. Could we kick off with a win? I've got everything crossed! Whatever you're doing, I hope it's filled with friends, football, and that delicious Turkish bread smeared in meat jus.

Until next time, thanks for your support & happy reading!

Love,

Clare. xxx

ps - Don't forget to hit reply and tell me your favourite setting for a sapphic novel. I'd love to know!

Latest Book: The Princess Match

Latest Translation: La Partita Della Principessa

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