First to big things–the Book. Here's to The Silent Women–to several years of hard work, of reading, researching, thinking, agonising, editing, but above all of writing finally coming to fruition. Now as promised last week, the cover reveal…
Kind things people have said about The Silent Women:
'In The Silent Women: Notes from an Asylum, Avril Joy has written a truly captivating novel - an unputdownable! What a treat that is, to have a novel that calls to you, urging you to read on, though I realise now, having come to the end of the story that it was those women who were calling me. Simone. Phoebe. Alice. I know the women of Dormitory Twelve will stay with me for a long time for they are such a strong cast of resilient multi-dimensional female characters. I am sure readers of this novel will come to love them too for their tenderness and indomitable spirit. A skillful portrayal of the human condition and a triumph of storytelling,' Anna Barker
Avril Joy’s previous novel Sometime a River Song won a judge’s prize and to my mind this latest, an immersive historical novel set in a Victorian lunatic asylum, is just as worthy of acclaim. Joy writes exquisitely about people and places and this novel contrasts the gothic horrors of the asylum with the beauty of the outside world whether in the asylum ‘airing courts’ or the countryside beyond. Like Pat Barker’s Trojan women in The Silence of the Girls, the inmates of Long Meadow asylum show us how women have struggled to find a voice through the ages but also how light can be found in the most profound darkness. I loved this book and can’t recommend it highly enough.' Ali Bacon
...so beautifully written it takes my breath away... I love that, above all, it is about love and sisterhood and community among totally dispossessed and forgotten women. Chris Powell
A moving and powerful indictment of the nineteenth century asylum...an atmospheric and tender work of art. I especially like the different forms used to differentiate the voices of the three women... Gillian Wales
Now, the second big thing, I have a favour to ask. I enjoy writing my Substack newsletter, it adds a new dimension to my writing world and fosters new connections but it's quite a task, 1000 words plus a week, reliably dropping in your inbox on Thursdays takes some doing. It’s free and will remain free in the future. I will not be asking you to upgrade to paid. But, if you've enjoyed reading the newsletter, and hopefully will continue to enjoy it in the future, then please show your support by buying a copy (or even two!) of The Silent Women.
Every sale matters to a small publisher and their author- so thank you in advance.
The Silent Women is AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW, just click this link.
Durham launch details coming soon.
Now enough of the Big Things, time for the small things.
Important as the big things, like the publication of a new book are, I've been thinking this week how it’s the small things that matter most. How they are the key to happiness. They are what sustain us over time. Not the showy, shout out loud things. Not the prizes or even the good reviews, welcome though they are. But the unremarkable times and the unexpected voices from near and far:
a postcard from a friend, of an exquisite Chagall window in a church near Tonbridge
a private message on Instagram that reminds you of your walking days in the mountains, how alive you felt, how separate from the world
a video of Elsie, aged 2yrs, dancing and jumping to, 'Sweet Child of Mine,' in the front room on Glastonbury weekend,
Lewis Capaldi carried by the crowd (perhaps a big thing!)
quiet time with a beautiful, resonant, poetry collection by a poet, not famous, but who you admire
your completed memoir assignment
the blossom on the philadelphus - the blossomiest ever
fish and chips on the beach at Saltburn
ice cream in the park, watching Freja and Lilah laughing and running wild on the grass
a visit to Collected Durham, on Independent Book Shop Week, and a hug from Emma
an email from Casa Ana and the writing retreat
a G&T early evening in the garden
a glass of champagne for a family celebration
I could go on - what are the small things you've treasured this week - I'd love to hear..
Thanks for Reading
Please do share this newsletter, especially with anyone you think might be interested in, or like to read, The Silent Women.
Congratulations on The Silent Woman! Xx
A massive well done Avril, I've pre-ordered. And the way you move seamlessly onto 'the small things', shows how thoroughly you deserve the big things. My 'small thing', of the dogs and owners I know in my local park, one dog has only 3 legs from birth. And he always reminds me, press on, life always finds a way.