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Reposted by Amy Sparkes

Jacqui Sydney 📚 @jacquisydney.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Huge thanks to Lola @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social for sending The Unchosen One by @amysparkes.bsky.social and Buck & Ear: Pirate Detectives by Jennifer Bell, illustrated by Sarah Horne Both out 07/05 for middle grade readers, the link to my review of The Unchosen One follows in the next post!

On the left: The Unchosen One, the cover of which shows a terrified girl in a green cloak and an equally terrified cartoon-style griffin riding a swooping red dragon.

On the right: Buck & Ears: Pirate Detectives, the cover of which shows pirates Buck and his rabbit standing on a small boat looking out to sea in opposite directions.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Excited that this short film is now out in the wild! It's about one family's experience of love, loss and walking boots... If you've got 8 mins, please do check it out! This was a brilliant, collaborative experience - I'm lucky to work with such talented people. #film #shortfilm #filmmaker #devon

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

So excited to reveal the three winners of the Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize: Picture Book category. Many congratulations to Alex Lumsden, Zahrah Riaz and Catherine Friess! Your stories were fantastic! @writersonline.bsky.social #WritingCompetition #picturebooks #BookSky

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Congratulations to everyone shortlisted for the Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize Picture Book category! So many great stories on the longlist, it was a tough decision to make. Winners announced on Monday! #BookSky #KidLit #PictureBooks

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Huge congratulations to everyone on the Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize Picture Book longlist. There were many entries, so to reach this longlist is a fabulous achievement. The shortlist will be announced on Friday! Good luck for the next round! #writingcommunity #BookSky #picturebook

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

"The bard himself is deftly woven in throughout, in this pièce de theatre... by a writer with a flair for historic detail and language." 🎭🎻🥁🎲⚔️💀❤️‍🩹 Thank you to Keira Morgan at the HNS for the great review of THE PLAYERS ACT 1! historicalnovelsociety.org/.../the-play... - It does have spoilers so...

Screenshot of the Historical Novel Society website. Image shows The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage novel cover. It's a parchment coloured background with the title on a ribbon tumbling down. Five commedia dell'arte figures in purple are dotted around. The text on the website reads: The Players – Act 1: All the World’s a Stage
Written by Amy Sparkes
Review by Keira Morgan

Two bands of itinerant players wander the backroads, alehouses and fairs of early Georgian England: one an acting group of four led by a morose manager staving off its imminent demise; the other a trio of aerialists managed by a narcissist, Piero, bent on avenging himself for his inability to love.

Three narrators, each with a distinct voice, carry the acts forward: lead actor Thomas, the eternal optimist criticized by the others for his obsession with success, yet haunted by his father’s condemnation of him as a failure; Caroline, the prickly, defensive protector particularly of manager Robert, who swings a cutting wit and sword; and prancing Piero..

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Reposted by Amy Sparkes

Parker @parkertron.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

The idea that the only person to benefit from education is the person who receives it falls apart whenever I visit the doctor.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Many congratulations to our top three writers, Laila Murphy, Helen Addyman and Rhiannon Pipkin for winning the Writing Magazine Children’s Book Prize Chapter Book category this year! Decisions were very difficult, but ultimately, these three submissions stood out to the judges.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Excited to share my interview with @bookshelfie.bsky.social after winning 3rd Place Overall with THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE. (About a diverse troupe of strolling players in 1715 with one last chance to save their theatre company.) book-shelfie.com/interview-wi... #BookSky #HistFic

book-shelfie.com

Interview with Amy Sparkes, Author of The Players: Act 1 - Bookshelfie

What first inspired you to become a storyteller, and when did you realise you wanted to write novels? I was always an imaginative child, and creating stories either on paper or in the make-believe gam...

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Huge congratulations to everyone on the Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize shortlist for Chapter Books! If your book was longlisted but isn't here, please know it was a very difficult decision - all the titles were great. Onto the last, very difficult decision! #KidLit #WritingCommunity

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

I'm delighted to announce the Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize 2025 longlist: Chapter Books. Many congratulations to everyone on the list! And thank you to everyone who entered. Shortlist announced early next week. More here: www.storygodmother.co.uk/index.php/op... #KidLit

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

A big thank you to @bookshelfie.bsky.social for awarding 'The Players Act 1' 3rd place overall. Absolutely delighted! #Players1715 #BookSky #HistoricalFiction #Shakespeare

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

If anyone fancies curling up with a 99p e-Book, my adult historical debut 'The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage' is on offer at the moment 🙂 🎭Found family 🎭Comedy & tragedy 🎭LGBTQ+ 🎭Shakespeare 🎭Hope & heart 🎭Neurodiversity 🎭⚔️🥁🎻🎲💀❤️‍🩹 #BookSky #histfic lnkstk.swordandfiddle.co.uk/@players_1715

lnkstk.swordandfiddle.co.uk

The Players Act 1

The #1 bestselling novel by New York Times bestselling author Amy Sparkes.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Excited to announce my new funny-fantasy #lkidlit trilogy, kicking off with book 1: The Unchosen One. When chaotic Tassie is mistakenly declared the Chosen One, she must go on an epic quest to find the real Chosen One before it's too late... Coming in May 2026! #middlegradebooks #BookSky

Amy Sparkes holds a proof copy of her new novel: The Unchosen One. Text at the top of the cover reads Coming May 2026. Cover text reads: The world needs a hero... she's not it. Image shows a young girl with a griffin behind her, both looking frantic, riding a smiling red dragon that is hurtling downwards.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

I'm passionate about making creative opportunities accessible to all, so I offer a free 6-month mentoring opportunity for children's writers who might find it particularly hard to pursue writing. Open for applications: 8th - 16th Nov. www.storygodmother.co.uk/index.php/op... #WritingCommunity

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

ADHD Awareness Month Fiction: 22 items for $25.00 itch.io/b/3300/adhd-... Proud to have THE PLAYERS: ACT 1 included in this fabulous bundle - available // 1st & 15th October. A big thank you to @eliseswritings.bsky.social for organising. #neurodiversity #adhd #historicalfiction

ADHD Awareness Month Fiction Bundle. oct 1st-15th. 22 books mostly by ADHD authors. most with 1+ significant ADHD characters. Available exclusively at itch.io $25 - over $90 value. A QR code is in the top corner to take readers to the correct page.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

🎭🎲🥁🎻💀⚔ In recognition of #ADHDAwareness Month, "The Players Act 1" eBook is only 99p/99c (1st-17th Oct). Neurodiversity is nothing new & #histfict can reflect this♥️ Why not take a look? Amazon mybook.to/ThePlayersAct1 Kobo www.kobo.com/ebook/the-pl... Cover: Sarah Christie #BookSky #neurodiversity

The book cover of THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE by Amy Sparkes, and a box saying: 99p/cents ebook. In recognition of ADHD Awareness Month, THE PLAYERS ACT 1 ebook will be offered at a discounted price of 99p/c between October 1st & October 17th.

A green square background and the front cover of THE PLAYERS ACT 1 by Amy Sparkes. Arrows point to various features of the book: found family; grey villains; strong females; marginalised characters; vengeance; uplifting.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

My latest #StoryGodmother newsletter went out yesterday with an ADHD theme. It's for #kidlit writers & includes a free coaching competition & free webinar on writing diverse characters. All free. Sign up if you're interested. Thanks! buttondown.com/storygodmother #writing #kidlit #BookSky #kidlitUK

buttondown.com

The StoryGodmother

If you write for children, this newsletter is for you. Sign up for top tips, resources, information and opportunities delivered straight to your inbox. Sprinkle some magic into your stories.

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Reposted by Amy Sparkes

The Toy 🍩🦜🍑🌻🌈🪐🛼🎈🐢 @thetoypress.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

It's #NationalPoetryDay here in the UK on October 2nd and this year's theme is PLAY. Our 'hobbies' and 'toys' editions are both packed full of playing themed poetry and we'll be sharing some of these this week...

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

A double-whammy in this month's (October) Writing Magazine: a feature about the story behind the story for my #historicalfiction novel "The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage", and an article about the importance of voice in #picturebooks! @writersonline.bsky.social #writingcommunity #kidlit

Amy Sparkes smiles and stands in a small attic room holding a magazine open with an article titled 'Speak up!'

An autumnal cover of Writing Magazine October 2025 issue, next to an orange cup and saucer filled with tea!

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

WRITERS! The @writersonline.bsky.social Children's Book Prize is now open for unpublished/unagented writers. www.storygodmother.co.uk/index.php/op... There's more info in my newsletter for writers, along with free resources and competitions: buttondown.com/storygodmother #WritingCommunity

buttondown.com

The StoryGodmother

If you write for children, this newsletter is for you. Sign up for top tips, resources, information and opportunities delivered straight to your inbox. Sprinkle some magic into your stories.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

🎭LAST DAY OF #Players1715 BLOGTOUR🎭 Thank you to @mjporterauthor.bsky.social for the review on this last stop. Thanks to all the bloggers for arranging interviews, reviews and guest posts. And a big thank you to @rachelsrandoms.bsky.social for organising the tour. #BookSky #histfic 🎭🥁🎻💀⚔️🎲

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

🎭DAY 6 #Players1715 BLOG TOUR PART TWO🎭 "a fun read, with overdramatic characters, great banter, a heartwarming found family vibe and an unshakeable sense of hope" Big thanks to Moonflower Reader on Insta for the review of The Players: www.instagram.com/p/DNtBteVWAAi/ #histfic #BookSky 🥁🎻🎲💀⚔️❤️‍🩹

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

🎭DAY SIX OF THE #Players1715 BLOG TOUR🎭 A very big thank you to A Knight's Reads for the lovely interview - I really enjoyed answering these thoughtful questions. 🎭🎻🥁🎲⚔️💀❤️‍🩹 #historicalfiction #historicalfictionbooks #shakespeare #BookSky aknightsreads.wordpress.com/2025/08/23/t...

aknightsreads.wordpress.com

The Players: Act 1 by Amy Sparkes #blogtour #authorinterview #theplayersact1

Happy Saturday!! Today I’m interviewing Amy Parkes as part of the blog tour celebrating The Players Act 1.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

🎭DAY FOUR OF BLOG TOUR: PART 1🎭 "Amy Sparkes writes with care and sensitivity about friendships, families, finding your place in the world and working through adversity" Thank you to Portable Magic for the review. Check it out here: portable-magic.com/2025/08/21/a... #histfic #BookSky #Players1715

portable-magic.com

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

This has made my day today. You always make yourself vulnerable when you put your stories out into the world, but when readers connect, it is worth it entirely ♥️ 🎭🎻🥁💀🎲⚔️❤️‍🩹 #Players1715

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

A big thank you to @rararesources.bsky.social for organising the #Players1715 blog tour which kicks off today! And thank you to @leftontheshelf1.bsky.social for the interview. Which character in The Players am I most like? Take a peek and find out. #histfic #historicalfiction #BookSky #Shakespeare

A tablet is shown on the left hand side with a cover of a book: The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage by Amy Sparkes. On the right hand side is a list of blog tour dates:

18th August: Sudeshnablogs - Bookworm 86
Left on the Shelf
19th August: B for Bookreview - Scrapping & Playing
20th August: @CandyGirl73Reads - Ramblingsmads.com; Let us Talk of Many Things
21st August: Portable Magic - Belinda Missen (Author and beta reader)
22nd August: Becca's Book Reviews - Portobello Book Blog
23rd August: A Knight's Reads - The.Moonflower.Reader
24th August: Sarandipity's - MJPorterAuthor.blog

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

🍌5% off🍌 Amazon (UK) is offering 5% discount on #Players1715, saving a whole 41p! You can buy 2 bananas with that. So, you get a health boost and a book*. What more could you want? *Bananas not included with book www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-... #BookSky #comedyandtragedy (and bananas) #histfic

The novel of 'The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage' by Amy Sparkes... partially obscured by two bananas.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

It's always nail-biting when you send something new out into the world, especially a 'first'. #Players1715 is my 1st book for adults & 1st #historicalfiction. Grateful for encouraging words from early readers. www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-... #Shakespeare #BookReview #BookSky Cover: Sarah Christie

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Reposted by Amy Sparkes

Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Today the curtain rises on my adult #histfict debut: THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE. These broken but beautiful players have been with me a long time. I've walked beside them, listened to their pain, chuckled at their antics and despaired at their decisions for many years now. #BookSky

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Over the moon to see 'The House At The Edge of Magic' beautifully illustrated by @benmantle.bsky.social shortlisted for the Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards! A huge honour. Congratulations to the other authors and illustrators in all categories. #thehouseattheedgeofmagic #BookSky #kidlit

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

ONE WEEK TO GO! 'The Players Act 1' is out on 29th July & I found these photos last night whilst sorting storage on my phone. Allow me to introduce Minchin. He adores photoshoots and it's lovely working with a skull with a good sense of humour (and mischief). We get on well. #Players1715 #BookSky

A skull sits on the boards of a stage with a peacock feather in its teeth and a pocket watch in front of it.

An open copy of 'The Itinerant, Or The Memoirs Of An Actor' by Samuel Ryley on a table, beside a nice cup of coffee.

The novel cover of 'The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage' by Amy Sparkes. Tagline: how far would you go to save what you truly love? The ribbon tumbles down a parchment-coloured cover, bearing the book title. Five commedia dell'Arte characters in purple are dotted around.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Only 10 days until 'The Players Act 1: All the World's A Stage' is out! In the 1700s, Shakespeare reliably draw a crowd and was often performed by strolling theatre companies. Discover each main character's favourite Shakespeare quote. #Players1715 #BookSky #historicalfiction #Shakespeare

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

**Writers** I'm running a free character workshop for subscribers of my Story Godmother newsletter (also free). Friday 11th July - so sign up quick if you'd like to come along. Details of the workshop in the newsletter: buttondown.com/storygodmother Thanks!

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

So lovely to be invited onto this. Thank you @writersonline.bsky.social for letting me chat away about everything from finding buried treasure to the importance of emotion to the Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize!

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Reposted by Amy Sparkes

Francesca Simon @francescasimon.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Reading for pleasure is the right of every child. Proper funding for libraries and librarians essential

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

***WRITERS*** Two months to go until the Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize submission window opens again. We are looking for picture book and chapter book entries from unagented and not-yet-published authors. Very excited! For more info: www.storygodmother.co.uk/index.php/op... #kidlitUK

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Proof copies have just arrived! So happy to finally hold a copy. Thanks to my husband, Alyn, for formatting, Cat Camacho for editing & Ally Wilkes for proofreading. Cover: Sarah Christie 🎭🎻🥁💀🎲⚔❤️‍🩹 Paperback available: 29th July www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-... #BookSky #HistoricalFiction #Players1715

A smiling Amy Sparkes stands in front of a green curtain, holding a copy of her new historical fiction book: THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.

One proof copy is closed and rests on a green curtain. The second copy is opened showing the title page, THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE, Amy Sparkes.

Two copies of THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE rest against a green curtain. The cover has a parchment-coloured background with the title spiralling down on a pale ribbon. Five commedia dell'arte character in purple are dotted around. There are various objects such as a hammer, a skull, a pocket-watch, the theatre masks and a fiddle visible on the cover. A grey proof copy ribbon runs across the cover saying 'Not for resale'.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Delighted to say that a paperback edition of THE PLAYERS ACT 1 can be ordered from 29th July. Can't wait to share this story of comedy & tragedy, Shakespeare & swords, heart & hope. It's been a joy to work on 🙂 🎭🎻🥁🎲💀⚔️❤️‍🩹 #players1715 #BookSky #histfic Cover: Sarah Christie adults.amysparkes.co.uk

Left hand panel has a parchment-coloured background and has a Commedia Dell'Arte female character in a long dress and holding a tambourine. Reads: Paperback release! Available to purchase from Amazon starting on July 29th. On the right hand side is a cover of the book by Amy Sparkes. On a parchment coloured background, a ribbon tumbles down bearing the title: THE PLAYERS ACT 1 : ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE. Commedia dell'Arte characters dressed in purple. Tagline: How far would you go to save what you truly love?

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Excited to run this #writingclass on Key Moments on 1st July 7pm BST, exploring: What key moments are Why they're important When they're most effective The relationship between key moments & readers Using them in plot, character, emotion & theme For more info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-ke...

eventbrite.co.uk

Writing Key Moments

Learn how to use key moments (internal and external) to create dynamic, engaging and memorable storytelling.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Happy Book Birthday to #TowerAtTheEndOfTime, out today in Canada and US! To all the readers over there: hope you enjoy the next part of the adventure ♥️ Thanks to all at @simonkids.bsky.social, @barnesandnoble.com and Indigo Kids for the amazing special editions! #HouseAtTheEdgeOfMagic #BookSky

Book cover: The Tower At The End Of Time by Amy Sparkes. Indigo Kids exclusive edition. Cover shows a wonky tower with many turrets and pointed spires branching off the main tower. Nine, a scruffy orphan girl, is visible standing at the top on a turrret. Flabberghast the wizard is further down, on a different part of the tower. Eric the troll is visible in a different window. The background is soft pinks and orange, speckled with sparkling stars. Sprayed edges are dark pink with white images of a wonky tower.

Book cover: The Tower At The End Of Time by Amy Sparkes. Barnes and Noble exclusive edition. Cover shows a wonky tower with many turrets and pointed spires branching off the main tower. Nine, a scruffy orphan girl, is visible standing at the top on a turrret. Flabberghast the wizard is further down, on a different part of the tower. Eric the troll is visible in a different window. The background is soft pinks and orange, speckled with sparkling stars.

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

I set myself the challenge of writing a script which told a story in about 2 minutes. I can't tell you how much fun it was filming this. A lot of laughter, and working with some very talented people. An absolute joy ♥️

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

The characters stand behind the curtain, waiting for their turn on the stage... While they wait, here's a little teaser we made. 🎭🥁🎻⚔️💀🎲❤️‍🩹 Curtain rise: 29th July Cover: Sarah Christie Fiddle: Philip Belsham Filming: @swordandfiddle.co.uk adults.amysparkes.co.uk #historicalfiction #BookSky #HistFic

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Sword and Fiddle Productions Limited @swordandfiddle.co.uk · 03/06/2025

This was an intriguing video to make. How do you communicate the feel and tone of a novel in a teaser video? "Totems" representing some of the characters seemed the easiest way but getting that stopwatch to spin at the right speed and face forward as it landed was a small exercise in frustration!

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Amy Sparkes @amysparkes.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

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