Posts Tagged Choc Lit
Bedsit Three – 10th Anniversary
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Books, Competitions, Successes on October 26, 2025
Today is a landmark day for me, so I’m doing a bit of my own trumpet-blowing. Drum roll, please!
My first novel, Bedsit Three, was published ten years ago, on 26th October 2015.
Applause please!
It won a small competition and the prize was publication through Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. It was also shortlisted in two other competitions. That book is still selling (only 99p on Kindle!) and also being read by those with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. Bedsit Three is a thrilling ‘why-dunnit’ and the competition organiser, Michael Barton, said this: “This novel is well-constructed and well-written. But it’s also far more than that. It’s a book that elicits emotional reaction, drawing the reader into the story and placing him or her in the middle of the action page after page. Be prepared for a sleepless night, because you won’t want to put it down until you get to the end.”
Publication of Bedsit Three was a tiny, hardly noticeable happening in the publishing world but it was a real confidence boost to me and since then I’ve had a further four novels published.
The Promise was published in 2018 in partnership with the Book Guild. When the rights reverted back to me, I independently published it on Kindle. A limited number of paperback copies are available directly from me.
In autumn 2022 I signed a 3-book deal with Choc Lit (which became part of Joffe Books six months later) and they published my next three novels: Little Museum of Hope, Waiting for a Bright New Future and Out of Control. These are all uplifting women’s fiction with a mature main character and a little bit of romance.
Earlier this year I signed a further 2-book deal with Choc Lit/Joffe and the first of those will be out in 2026.
I owe a huge thanks to Michael Barton and the other organisers of the Ian Govan Award for choosing Bedsit Three as their competition winner and thus giving me the confidence to continue along the path to become a novelist.
Note to other writers: Never underestimate the power and benefits of entering even the smallest competition.
Excitement and Nerves
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Events, Lifestyle, Successes on June 16, 2025
Have I got news for you!
Choc Lit Authors before the Joffe Summer Party
My publisher, Choc Lit (an imprint of Joffe Books) has signed me to write two more novels!
Both books will feature a later-in-life romance as part of the storyline. The first book has a working title of Because You’re Worth It and follows Michelle, who inherits a mysterious fortune from her mother. Michelle must embark on a journey of self-discovery and learn that it is never too late to trust her heart. All being well, this will be published in summer 2026. The second book, which currently has no plot and no title, will follow in summer 2027.
This has made me extremely excited but also slightly anxious. I have to provide my editor with the manuscript for the first book by 1st December this year and I’ve never written to a deadline before. It’s like being back at school with that pile of homework that needs to be done always at the back of your mind.
Watch this space for how I get on!
In other news, last month I went to the annual Joffe summer garden party in London. The picture above is me (second from right under the window) with several of the other Choc Lit authors in the pub beforehand. It’s the second time I’ve been to the party. This time I was more confident and made a point of searching out everyone in the Choc Lit/Joffe team who’d had a hand in making my books a reality. I got to meet the lovely Kate Ballard who, along with Becky Slorach, the head of Choc Lit, gave me great editorial advice on Out of Control, which was published earlier this year. I also spoke to the lovely people who deal with marketing and social media and those who format both the Kindle books and the paperbacks. It really does take a whole team to make books happen!
Final bit of news: My second short story collection, Hit or Miss?, was chosen as a June Amazon Monthly deal. This means the Kindle version is only 99p until the end of June, so now might be the time to indulge yourself (!) The book challenges the reader to decide which of the short stories were competition or magazine hits and which failed to land on the right editor’s desk at the right time.
Cover Reveal plus a Free Book
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Books, Promotion, Successes on February 21, 2025
It’s an exciting week: the cover for Out of Control, my third novel with Choc Lit/Joffe Books is now in the public domain and the Kindle version is available for preorder at only 99p. 
Plus Little Museum of Hope is available on Kindle for FREE for today only (Friday 21st February 2025).
Out of Control is about learning to loosen the reins of life, trying to go with the flow, learning to trust and letting others in. Three decades ago Fiona was married to a man with a gambling problem. He lost everything they had and the stress this caused may have played a part in Fiona’s miscarriage. Fiona divorced Rob and vowed never to let anyone else get too close to her again. She keeps that promise. Fast forward to the present day. Fiona is on the verge of retirement. She sees boyfriend Joe only once a week – which she loves because she still has her own space and complete control of her life. Plus absence makes the heart grow fonder!
Then Joe turns up on her doorstep with his suitcases: his house has been flooded and he needs somewhere to stay. He’s swiftly followed by his heavily pregnant student daughter who has nowhere else to go. Fiona’s ordered existence is suddenly out of control. Will her relationship with Joe survive? Can she cope with the presence of his daughter and the reminder of the baby she lost?
Out of Control will be published on March 11th 2025 and can be preordered now for only 99p on Kindle!
And if you missed out on reading Little Museum of Hope – now is your one-day only opportunity to grab it for FREE! (That means you can get two of my novels for a combined price of only 99p – don’t miss out!).
Copyediting and a Kindle Deal
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Short Story, Writing on January 14, 2025
![20250105_175958[1]](https://sally-jenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20250105_1759581.jpg)
Along with all the usual extra December activities and preparations, the copyedits for my third novel with ChocLit/Joffe Books landed just before Christmas with a deadline of 6th January. I spent the holiday period squeezing in as much editing time as possible – but still ensuring I got to see all the family and didn’t miss out on the turkey and wine!
Copyedits are suggested changes at sentence level (it’s assumed that the structure of the story as a whole is working by this point) to ensure clarity and a smooth read, plus continuity/timeline issues will be highlighted and the odd incorrect fact might be spotted. During this process I learned a couple of things:
The book is set at Christmas and I mention that one character is watching a rerun of the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film from 1971. My editor correctly pointed out that this version of the film actually has the title, ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory‘. A few reasons have been put forward on Wikipedia for this title change, some political and one relating to product placement of the Wonka chocolate bar. Make of them what you will.
I also refer to Slade’s hit Merry Christmas Everybody, but again I had that title wrong. It should be Merry Xmas Everybody. I was grateful to have these errors pointed out to me – and it just goes to show that we should always double check everything before inclusion!
In other news, Amazon have picked one of my earlier books, A Coffee Break Story Collection: 36 Short Stories, for one of their ‘deals’. For the month of January they have reduced the Kindle edition from £2.99 to only 99p and are promoting it! This is a rare happening – so, if you enjoy a short story or 36, fill your boots (and your Kindles!) while you can.
5 Questions About Writing With . . . Chris Penhall
Posted by Sally Jenkins in 5 Questions About Writing, Authors on November 19, 2024
Chris Penhall writes uplifting stories set in gorgeous places. 
A member of The Society of Authors and the Romantic Novelists Association, she won the 2019 Choc-Lit Search for a Star competition, sponsored by Your Cat Magazine, for her debut novel, The House That Alice Built, and has since written five more books. The House That Florence Left is the fourth in her Portuguese Paradise series.
How do you discipline/motivate yourself to write, and do you set daily targets?
I am disciplined and I am motivated, but I don’t really have a set time to write or daily targets, although I have tried to work like that. A lot of my work has been deadline driven, with many different projects on a given day, week, or even month, so I’m used to prioritising, adapting, dealing with other things urgently, then making sure I’ve done everything in time. So when I write a novel, which is a long-term project, I behave in the same way.
When I’m working on a book, I strive to write something every day. This doesn’t always work but after six books, I don’t beat myself up about that so much. As far as word counts are concerned, some writing sessions provide a couple of thousand, some provide a couple of hundred, and very occasionally a couple of sentences. But whichever it is, I’m staying connected to the book.
What are the most important qualities required by a writer? Do you have them?
Imagination – all writers have that. Tenacity – you have to really want to do this, in order to ride the waves of success, disappointment, success etc. etc! Also, you have to love writing for the sake of it. You are spending a lot of time in your own head, so you’ve got to enjoy being there…!
How do you market yourself and your books?
I’m still learning how to market myself and the books. My publisher does a lot of marketing, thankfully, which is great as I think it can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not used to it. I have always done things that are related to books and reading, so I’m continuing to do that, but now sometimes as an author, rather than a reader.
I have worked for BBC local radio for many years, and way back in the last century for Radios One and Four, so I lean into my audio experience and background as a way of marketing myself and therefore my books. For instance, I have a community radio programme called Books and Tunes in which I chat to other writers, and before that I made my own podcast called Talking to My Friends About Books – in which I did just that!
I have also hosted events and interviewed other authors at The Essex Book Festival and have been a judge for a short story competition the festival ran in conjunction with the Essex Gardens Trust. A few years prior to that I was a long-list judge for the BBC Essex radio play competition for two years.
And I have a blog on my website in which I feature interviews with authors.
Which writing resources have you found useful, e.g., books, courses, organisations, websites etc.?
I started writing my first novel many years ago and when I got stuck I enrolled on an online course, which helped me develop the characters, the plot and actually get to the end of the book. A few years after that I invested in a mentor with a literary consultancy, and that is what got the manuscript to the level that won the Choc-Lit Search for a Star Competition.
After that I did an online course with Future Learn – because basically I enjoy developing my skills, and I have done one or two writing workshops too. I’m doing one in a few weeks actually.
I find chatting to other writers really helpful, but I have only just joined The Society of Authors and the Romantic Novelists Association.
A top tip for other writers?
Write. Be tenacious. Pat yourself on the back whether you’ve written 5, 50, 500 or 5000 words today. Enjoy it. Remember why you’re doing it. And follow your dreams.
About The House that Florence Left – published October 2024
Bella Cresswell likes her life organized. But when she inherits her great-aunt Flo’s house in the Algarve, her life gets decidedly disorganized. She flies to Portugal hoping for a quick sale and to return home. Except there is a clause in the will stopping her. Before she can sell the house, Bella must ‘make it better’.
As she tries to fix up the dilapidated property, Bella discovers the faded walls are filled with the memories and secrets of Florence’s vibrant life. And, as she looks further into her great-aunt’s time in Portugal, she realises, there’s more to making it better than she first thought. Bella finds herself caught up in the charm of the lively Portuguese village, the eccentric and friendly locals and her handsome, yet mysterious, neighbour, Hugo.
But when it’s time to sell and say goodbye will Bella be able to return to her old life?
Or will she discover that some things are meant to be held onto forever?
Editing, Podcasting and a Flash Fiction Competition
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Competitions, Self-publishing, Writing on October 17, 2024
I’ve been buried deep in structural edits for the past month. 
This has involved improving character arcs, deepening internal conflict rather than relying on external conflict and trying to ensure that my secondary characters remain sympathetic throughout the book. After doing the major changes, I downloaded the document to my ancient Kindle to read, and I scribbled notes about all the additional things that needed changing. The manuscript is now covered in my scarlet Microsoft Word ‘track changes’ deletions, amendments and insertions. I wish my editor much luck in deciphering it all!
This is the third novel of my three book contract with Choc Lit and, at the moment, I don’t know what comes next. It may be time to branch out. Watch this space!
In other news, I have taken part in my first ever podcast. I chatted with Natalie from the US Fiction and Friends podcast for nearly an hour. It’s amazing how the time flies when you’re talking about reading, favourite books, authors and, of course, writing. The podcast is available on YouTube, Apple and Spotify.
I am also now part of New Street Authors and have my very own page on the NSA website. New Street Authors is a collective of indie authors with links to the Birmingham (UK) area. Regular readers of this blog will recall that I published several books independently prior to my career with Choc Lit. These books are still alive and kicking on Amazon and, therefore, I’m keeping up to date with developments in that area.
Finally, the New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2025 is now open for entries of up to 300 words. The entry fee is £10 and first prize is a generous £1,100! Second place gets £300 and the third placed writer will receive £200. £1 from every entry will be donated to the writing charity, First Story. Closing date is Friday 31st January 2025.
In my next post, crime writer Claire Sheldon will be answering five questions about writing.
A Bit of Glamour!
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Competitions, Events, Poetry on May 24, 2024
Contrary to popular belief, an author’s life is more hard slog than glitzy glamour but once in a blue moon we do get the chance to raise a glass and to nibble canapes. One such occasion arose this week for me – my first ever publisher’s party.
All the Joffe Books partygoers!
Joffe Books (of which Choc Lit are part) held a garden party in London to celebrate their tenth birthday. It took place at the swish Six Park Place next to Green Park. We Choc Lit authors met in a pub beforehand and made our grand party entrance en masse (safety in numbers!).
There were bubbles, nibbles and lots of chat. 
It was great to meet the Joffe/Choc Lit team in person and put faces to names. The weather stayed dry, if not exactly warm and there were ‘going home’ presents of a Joffe birthday mug and tote bag. But the best takeaway of the evening was the feeling of camaraderie between the Choc Lit family of authors and the knowledge that though we may write in our individual garrets, others are going through the same trials and tribulations as us.
Finally, a competition I spotted (that’s right, I haven’t quite unsubscribed from all those newsletters!):
New Writers are running a free-to-enter poetry competition with the theme of ‘Summertime’. Poems can be up to 20 lines long and the closing date is 20th June 2024. First prize is £50 and publication on the NewWriters.org.uk website (and the inaugural issue of the New Writers Anthology) plus a copy of Jordan Hamel’s debut poetry collection.
How to enter: Send entries as attachments (MS Word or PDF) to competitions@newwriters.org.uk and use “Summer Poetry Competition” as the subject of the email. Use your poem’s title as the file name (avoid calling it ‘Summertime’). Ensure your name or other details are not written on the entry (and no need to add a word/line count).
Now all we need is the sunshine back for some summer inspiration!
Some of the ChocLit authors enjoying the party vibe!
A Birthday Relaunch and 2 Book Competitions
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Books, Competitions, Successes on April 30, 2024
Little Museum of Hope was published in April 2023. To celebrate its first birthday, Joffe Books have given it a fantastic new cover. Don’t you love the little cat staring into that beautiful, positive blue sky? 
I feel like that cat is a metaphor for all of us who are looking for a better future after a difficult time. And that is what Little Museum of Hope is all about: shedding reminders of broken relationships and tough times so that we can find renewed enthusiasm for life.
If you want to dip your toe into the Museum, the Kindle edition is currently only 99p! (I don’t know how long that offer will last).
By the way, that new cover matches very nicely with that of Waiting for a Bright New Future. I’m beginning to feel a bit like a brand!
And talking of books – I have a couple of free book-related competitions for you:
Marlborough LitFest is running its annual Love Books Competition. They want to hear about your favourite book, poem or play in 750 words or less. Explain what you love about your chosen read, highlighting key areas of interest, and why you think others should try it. Entry is free. The winner in each age group receives £300 and the runner-up receives £100. The closing date for entries is Friday 28 June 2024.
My publisher, Joffe Books, is running a competition to celebrate its tenth birthday. Tell them in no more than 50 words your favourite Joffe book of the last ten years. The best entry will win a year’s worth of books (in the form of a £500/$600 Amazon voucher)!
RULES
*The 50 words (well-expressed/heartfelt) can be about any book published by Joffe/Lume/Choc Lit in the last ten years.
*Entries must be a maximum of 50 words. And submitted by email to: readers@joffebooks.com. The email subject should be: “Win a year’s worth of reading” plus your name.
*Entries can be made between 23 April and 31 May.
Happy Reading!
A Commercial Break
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Authors, Books, Successes on December 5, 2023
Drum roll and trumpet fanfare!
A massive thank you to everyone who has preordered Waiting for a Bright New Future – it will have landed on your kindle in the early hours of today. Hooray!
If you missed the preorder, you can buy now with instant delivery. Plus the paperback should be available very soon too.
The NetGalley advance reviewers have been busy reading Waiting for a Bright New Future and the response has been favourable (phew!)
“I loved the characters in the book and the humour thrown in amongst the sadness and how the main character was a man in his 50s discovering his life again after the death of his father and starting over again.” Helen A.
“I love that it wasn’t a simple ending but it fit perfectly with how each of the characters were set up.
Definitely a book I recommend.” Reviewer 1028737.
“This book makes you feel everything, the joy, the sadness, the anger, all the emotions you can think of, bundled up together and woven into such a perfect story.” Reviewer 810933.
According to my publisher, ChocLit (part of Joffe Books), this book will appeal to lovers of books by Jenny Colgan, Mike Gayle, Jill Mansell, Sue McDonagh, Laura Pearson or Beth Moran. I can’t believe that they’ve slotted me into such good company!
Still wondering whether it’s worth squandering the grand sum of 99p on Waiting for a Bright New Future? Here’s the blurb:
Is it ever too late to start living for the first time?
Florence is buoyant and colourful, an ageing tribute band singer who’s full of life. And the complete opposite of staid Stuart, her new landlord.
Stuart’s not sure about having a lodger. And he’s not used to the singing and dancing that now fills the house. Nor the pairs of voluminous knickers left to dry on every spare surface in the bathroom.
Florence is everything Stuart has never allowed himself to be: bold, fearless, unabashedly herself. He’s spent his life putting everyone’s needs ahead of his own, avoiding risks and hiding from chances.
Soon Florence is persuading Stuart to dance with her in the kitchen. And when his childhood sweetheart shows up again, it’s Florence who encourages him to make his move.
Florence can see how much he’s changed, even if he won’t admit it. But Stuart has changed. He’s no longer the timid man he was when they first met.
Life is about to give Stuart a second chance, if only he has enough courage to grasp it . . .
Waiting for a Bright New Future falls into the UpLit (Uplifting Literature) genre and will leave you feeling hopeful and positive for the coming of 2024.
Little Museum of Hope – FREE on Kindle!
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Books, Promotion, Successes on November 17, 2023
Just a very quick post to let you, my faithful followers (thank you – I do genuinely appreciate your loyalty) know that ‘Little Museum of Hope‘ is currently (for a limited time only) free on Kindle. Please, fill your boots while you can!
What the reviewers say:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ’Fascinating, often emotional, addictive reading. Recommended.’ Coco
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ’Something special that’s bound to intrigue.’ Isabelle D.
And don’t forget that my next book for ChocLit/Joffe Books, ‘Waiting for a Bright New Future‘ is only 99p on preorder.
If you order it now, it will drop onto your Kindle on December 5th. A paperback will be out too for those of you who love a real book to handle.
End of commercial break and I’m headed back down that Nano rabbit hole!
Sally Jenkins 