For the last few years, I’ve featured some books that I’ve helped create over the year, in my 12 days of Christmas showcase.
I’ve also linked this page to the the #BookMates Bookshop - which is inspired by all of my authors within the Writers’ Refinery Facebook group (come and join us if you’re not already a member, it’s totally free and a great place to meet other authory people, plus those who are just starting out on their writers journey)
The British Flowers Book 2 by Claire Brown
The British Flowers Book series are essential companions for florists looking to embrace seasonality, reduce their environmental impact, and share the beauty of local blooms.
A must-have guide for florists who want to work with the seasons, promote sustainability, and showcase the beauty of British-grown flowers.
Written by Claire Brown, a flower farmer / florist with over 30 years in the horticultural industry, this fully revised edition features 28 new seasonal themes and detailed conditioning advice for 168 flower varieties. Whether you’re sourcing, selling, or designing with seasonal flowers, this book will help you make informed choices and inspire your customers.
Inside, you’ll find expert guidance on:
- Selecting in-season colours to reflect each time of year
- Conditioning flowers for lasting vase life
- Understanding sustainability in relation to flower choices
- Creating designs with plastic-free floristry techniques
- The British Flowers Book is an essential companion for florists looking to embrace seasonality, reduce their environmental impact, and share the beauty of local blooms.
Ralph & Sprout by Linda Lee
Published by Compass-Publishing UK
Illustrated by Lorraine Hall
Who lives
in a house like this?
It’s a rabbit named Ralph,
and Sprout who’s a pig.
This delightful rhyming story for young children takes you on a journey through Oak Mill Woods, where you meet the animals who live there. It illustrates the importance of friendship and being kind to each other.
Suitable for ages 4 plus.
A Survival Guide for Little Sisters Who Have Big Brothers
Written by Alisa McConway
Hello to all little sisters with big brothers! Living with a lovely, but annoying, big brother is an adventure and a challenge. But don’t worry – help has finally arrived!
This not-so-serious (but very real) survival guide is packed with laugh-out-loud advice and sneaky strategies. From planning pranks to cracking the secret code of weird nicknames, this book has all the tips you need to survive – and occasionally outsmart – your Big Bonkers Brother.
Perfect for brave little sisters, mischievous big brothers who might secretly read it too, and adult little sisters who remember their wild childhood with their big brothers.
Available by emailing simon.mcconway@gmail.com
The Werewolf Wish & The Dragon's Dream by Laura Mclennan
Publisher - Compass-Publishing UK
Illustrated by Kylie Dixon
You’ve learned how to #BeMoreSeth… now it’s time to #AdventureLikeEliza!
From the #DreamTeam behind Seth and the Rainbow Monsters comes a brand-new adventure full of heart, courage, and imagination.
Join Eliza Rae as she braves the wild woods to face Old Werewolf Brown, and take on Blue Dragon to save Pirate Cove. Two magical, full-length picture book stories in one gorgeous cover, about courage, confidence, friendship, and trusting your gut.
Perfect for ages 3–9 (and the young at heart), this is a must-have for homes and classrooms alike.
The NeuroDoodle Book™ by Natasha Willings
Published by Compass-Publishing UK
Suitable for all school age kids
Doodle your way to more productivity with this A4 ‘colour me in book’ designed to help neurodivergent kids.
Where creativity meets memory magic
Tired of boring learning? So were we.
That’s why we created the NeuroDoodle™ book, a powerful new take on traditional note-taking that blends creativity, calm, and clever memory techniques to help students actually remember what they’ve learned.
Rooted in dual-coding theory (that’s the sciencey bit), this book will combine your words and visuals to make information stick better in your brain. Whether you’re revising for exams, taking notes in class, or just calming your mind with our Mindfulness activities, this is the book for you!
Perfect for:
- Students who find traditional learning and revision difficult
- Neurodivergent learners or anyone who thinks differently and needs more fun
- Mindful colouring breaks and tips for a stress-free study session
By Design not Default by George Anderson
Published by Kinetic Books
Category: Health and fitness/self-help
A practical system to boost energy and performance and create healthy habits which will help you perform at your best in a high-pressure world.
Uther - Part 2 by IamKDK
Join Uther and his dragon friends on this second book of various adventures. A delightful anthology of brave heroic tales and easy to learn lessons of friendship perfect for curious minds and avid readers.
Uther returns for more heroic adventures
Uther, Ragna, Pilot, and Ashen are a resolute team
Helping humans, whilst fulfilling their biggest dream
Always fair, resilient, very brave, and strong
One dragon certainly thinks this unification is wrong.
Egor has been a menace since a dragling so small
Causing disruption, creating attention from one and all
He needs to be controlled or curtailed in some way
Uther’s mission gets Egor’s attention every day.
Part-Timer by Mark Cardy
A Compelling Account of Serving in N. Ireland During ‘Op Banner’
It’s been two Decades since ‘The Troubles’ have ended in Northern Ireland. The history and knowledge of ‘The Troubles’ is becoming whitewashed and altered by former terrorists to suit their agenda.
From 1969 to 2007 the police, army and security forces sought to stop terrorism in Northern Ireland. This Operation was called ‘Op Banner’. Regular British Army Regiments were deployed to assist with the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) as well as the RUC Reserve (The Reserves), which was the part time element of the RUC. Assisting the regular army was the newly formed Ulster Defence Regiment (1970) which was a Part-Time Regiment (The Part-Timers).These men and women worked a regular job throughout the week, but on weekday nights and weekends came on-duty to protect the Public.
This account details the threats and incidents Mark and his team experienced whilst patrolling the most dangerous areas in Ulster. He recounts the psychological and personal toll of his time served whilst on and off duty and shares the effects of P.T.S.D. after leaving the Royal Irish Regiment.
Bella and her Pink Sparkly Hooves by Emma Yarrow
Illustrated by Natalia Logvanova
Published by Compass-Publishing UK
Ages 4-7
Therapeutic storytelling is a gentle, uncomplicated but effective way of exploring tricky topics with children.
Bella is adjusting to her new home – a farm in the countryside. How will she adapt to the different routines, whilst still having fun and meeting the other donkeys?
This is a therapeutic story of exploration for children (or adults) about learning to be in a group.
Predator Proof - A Women’s Guide to Feeling & Getting Home Safe by Jo Saint
FOR EVERY WOMAN WHO MAY NEED THIS BOOK. THIS ONE IS TRULY FOR YOU. STAY SAFE.
If it feels wrong, it is! Predator Proof sharpens your instincts and gives you practical tools to stay safe – from being on the school run to walking on the street.
Written by a former police officer with lived experience, this straight-talking guide helps women detect danger, set boundaries and stay in control – without living in fear. It offers real-life safety strategies that work, wherever life takes you.
You can buy a copy from Amazon here or order a signed copy here.
The Zorkk Games by Naomi Barley
The aliens are back again to partake in The Zorkk games. Follow the Stripes, Zig Zags and the Spots in various planetary events and see who wins the Zorkk Cup.
They rocked the galaxy with tunes so grand –
but what’s up next for the alien band?
The Zorkk Games, of course – they’re about to begin!
So, who will come first in the battle to win?
A new challenge – hooray! This is just what they need –
a test of their fitness and talents and speed.
Each game will take skill and there’ll be heaps of fun.
But they know there can only be ONE number one!
The scoreboard flashes after each round.
Shouts and cheers make a happy sound.
Who’ll be the winner? Who’ll take the glory?
The answer lies here in this cosmic story!
The aliens on Planet Zorkk are competing in the very first Zorkk Games. They’ll need all their skills and determination. Will they be up to the challenge?
Follow the scores through the book to see if anyone wins the Zorkk Cup…
The Pen to Published Podcast
The Pen to Published Podcast will help you if you're thinking of writing a book. Even if you've started, but got a bit stuck, then this podcast is for you!
Perhaps you have an idea but don't know where to start?
The Pen to Published podcast is all about the self-publishing option - and how you need to think of 'who you are writing for, how you are going to market it, and what steps you need to include on your writing journey.'
We will be covering;
- Planning your book, and why that's critical,
- editing your book - why that's important,
- how to get the book looking great, typesetting tips and cover design,
- and finally how to market your book.
We cover fiction, children's books, and business books too.
Listen here or just search 'Pen to Published' on your favourite podcast app.
