iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 06/10/2026

A ban takes one book off one shelf. An author who stops writing takes away every book they'd have written next, and nobody logs that anywhere. My Banned Books Week piece for The Bookseller: www.thebookseller.com/comment/the-...

Dark graphic with the headline 'The sinister story of the vanishing queer books', and the line 'Mo Fanning in The Bookseller, Banned Books Week 2026'.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 05/10/2026

Publishers love a queer success story. Who pays for the years before it becomes one? My BookBrunch piece on indie authors footing the bill, and Queer the Shelves trying to change that. www.bookbrunch.co.uk/page/free-ar...

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 23/09/2026

This is just too much pressure for me. I'm going to end up with six bottles of vodka and 300 toilet rolls on 23 December, aren't I?

Ocado kicking off Christmas with an email heralding 'THE OFFICIAL START OF CHRISTMAS' with delivery slots opening tomorrow

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 09/09/2026

Bag of wet concrete in one corner, leftover builder's chip wrappers in the other?

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 09/09/2026

And just in case that didn't work...

Headline: From releasing pathogens to nuclear weapons: How AI could end humanity in less than five years

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 18/08/2026

So it smells of nothing then? Assume it's expensive?

Ad for aftershave with caption: smells like cold air on clean skin

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 10/08/2026

Just had an email. From Fredrik Backman. "As an author myself, I have genuine respect for the challenge of balancing comedy, suspense, romance, and character development without allowing one element to overwhelm the others." He's not wrong. He's also not Fredrik Backman. #AuthorScam #Publishing

Dear Mo,

I recently spent time with Husbands: Love and Lies in La-La Land, and I wanted to reach out because I enjoyed the way you take what initially sounds like an absurdly bad decision and allow it to develop into something much more complicated.

Kyle MacDonald waking up to discover that he has drunkenly married a Hollywood director is an immediately engaging premise, but what interested me more was what happens after that discovery. His decision to travel to Los Angeles turns a personal mistake into an encounter with a world where ambition, celebrity, relationships, and deception don't always operate by the rules he is used to.

I particularly appreciated Kyle's tendency to believe the best in people. That quality makes him sympathetic, but it also creates a vulnerability because the reader can see how easily trust can become a liability when the people around him aren't necessarily telling him the whole truth.

The Hollywood setting also gives the story an interesting contrast. There is the surface glamour of Los Angeles and the promise of opportunity, but beneath it is a darker environment where appearances can conceal very different realities. That tension works well alongside the humor and romantic elements.

As an author myself, I have genuine respect for the challenge of balancing comedy, suspense, romance, and character development without allowing one element to overwhelm the others. I'm reaching out simply to commend the work you've put into the book, not to pitch anything. I would also be delighted to leave an honest review and share my genuine thoughts about it.

I'd love to ask: when you first came up with Kyle's drunken marriage, did you already know how far that single decision would take him, or did the Hollywood adventure and its complications develop as you wrote?

Warm regards
Fredrik Backman

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 07/08/2026

Last chance: 99p until midnight. Lisa invented a fiancé to prove she was absolutely fine. Unfortunately, she gave him the same name as her very married boss. A sharp British romcom about friendship, pressure and pretending everything’s fine. www.amazon.co.uk/Lisa-Doyle-A... #RomCom #BookSky

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 07/08/2026

Ask me whose husband referred to his collection of cables and wires as 'neurotic and shameful'. Then ask me whose husband is eating his words now he can recharge his strimmer.

A collection of cables and wires - lots of them

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 03/08/2026

Everyone else seems settled. Lisa Doyle is 32 and absolutely fine. Fine enough to invent a fiancé, hire an actor to play him and continue lying until a wedding threatens to expose everything. 99p this week ONLY. books2read.com/absolutely

Yellow background with sticker 99p this week only.

Lisa Doyle is 32 and absolutely fine. Everyone else seems settled. Please ignore the wine, the lie and the imaginary fiancé.

A warm, funny British romantic comedy

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 01/08/2026

She invented a fiancé. Then gave him her married boss’s name. At that point, honesty would have been sensible. Lisa Doyle chooses prosthetics, an actor flatmate and a fake wedding instead. Lisa Doyle Is Absolutely Fine is 99p this week. books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #BookSky

Lisa Doyle quote and 99p flag to buy Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine in ebook this week for 99p/c

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 30/07/2026

My Blackbird Static chums are back with four new songs of summer... open.spotify.com/album/4qGQkp...

Pull me back by Blackbird Static on Spotify

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 23/07/2026

"I prefer talking to an AI chatbot about a problem with my gas bill or supply" is a sentence uttered by precisely no fucker ever.

Headline: ‘Customers prefer AI chatbots,’ says British Gas owner as 1,300 call centre jobs axed

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 23/07/2026

Today’s writing: 43 minutes identifying one tree on one street in Kings Heath. It appears for half a sentence, near where police pin up a Missing Person poster. Nobody notices when details are right. Someone always notices when they’re wrong. #AmWriting #HumanWritten

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 09/07/2026

🔥 SALE! "Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine" is £4.99 for a limited time. Lisa Doyle is absolutely ﬁne. Grab your copy: books2read.com/absolutely #Romance #RomanceBooks #RomanceReads #BookBoyfriend

Yellow blob on blue background with the book title: 'Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine' by Mo Fanning. A bee flies from the blob and a woman in sweat pants sits cross-legged exuding calm in front of the blob

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 07/07/2026

Happy Flying Ant Day 2026

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 27/06/2026

Mid-eyebrow zit popped up overnight. About to moderate a panel at a sold-out lit festival . Temptation to pick, pop and turn into a weeping sore is huge. Luckily, slap saving the day. Tell me I look literary... please

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 24/06/2026

Another gorgeous review for Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine, this time from Bekky Clarke. A one-sitting summer read is exactly the sort of thing Lisa would pretend not to care about, while absolutely caring. books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction #BookReview

Review graphic on a yellow background. Large dark text at the top reads “reviews are in”. Beneath it is a quote: “This was super fun. But also super emotional and written wonderfully. It was a one sitting read and I would say a perfect read for summer.” The quote is credited to Bekky Clarke. Below the quote is a 3D image of the paperback cover for Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine by Mo Fanning, standing on colourful confetti.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 22/06/2026

Much as I hate the idea of giving Bezos book money, it's a fact of life for any author that a huge chunk of change comes our way from Amazon. Plus having a decent number of reviews on his bookshop blasting site kicks algorithms in and gets other sites and stockists paying attention. So....

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 22/06/2026

Another gorgeous review for Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine. “A five-star read for me and a new favourite author discovered.” I’ll be floating around on this one for the rest of the day, frankly. BUY: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction #BookReview

Review graphic on a pink background. Large dark text at the top reads “reviews are in”. Beneath it is a quote: “A five-star read for me and a new favourite author discovered”, credited to Livvy Helen. Below the quote is a 3D image of the paperback cover for Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine by Mo Fanning.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 20/06/2026

Another lovely review for Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine, this time from Dani Hennessy. That’s Lisa in one line, really: chaos first, feelings later, and a fake engagement doing far more damage than anyone budgeted for. shop.mofanning.co.uk #RomCom #UKFiction #BookReview

Review graphic on a yellow background. Large dark text at the top reads “reviews are in”. Beneath it is a quote: “Witty, ridiculous, heartwarming and had such a beautiful message at its core!”, credited to Dani Hennessy. Below the quote is a 3D image of the paperback cover for Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine by Mo Fanning.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 19/06/2026

I’ve written for PinkNews about gay best friends in romcoms, and why I’m tired of seeing us used as emotional support furniture. Let us want things. Get things wrong. Push the plot. Read it here: www.thepinknews.com/2026/06/18/o... #RomCom #LGBTQBooks #UKFiction

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 19/06/2026

Another lovely review, this time from Reading with Dee. “The writing style was right up my street, witty, engaging and funny.” That’s exactly what I hoped Lisa would be: funny, messy, human, and increasingly unable to pretend she has any of this under control. #RomCom #UKFiction #BookReview

Review graphic on a pink background. Large dark text at the top reads “reviews are in”. Beneath it is a quote: “The writing style was right up my street, witty, engaging and funny”, credited to Reading with Dee. Below the quote is a 3D image of the paperback cover for Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine by Mo Fanning.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 18/06/2026

I’ve written a piece for Writing.ie about keeping up appearances, and why “I’m fine” is often the least honest thing we say. It’s also about loneliness, friendship, fake engagements, and the trouble with pretending you’re coping. www.writing.ie/interviews/l... #UKFiction #RomCom

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 18/06/2026

Thanks to Joanne at Portobello Book Blog. “Such an entertaining and uplifting read.” There’s also a quick-fire Q&A in which I talk Manchester, fake engagements, and why Lisa is making such a spectacular mess of something simple. portobellobookblog.com/2026/06/18/t... #RomCom #UKFiction

Review graphic on a yellow background. Large dark text at the top reads “reviews are in”. Beneath it is a quote: “Such an entertaining and uplifting read”, credited to Joanne at Portobello Book Blog. Below the quote is a 3D image of the paperback cover for Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine by Mo Fanning.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 18/06/2026

Out today. Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine has officially left my laptop and entered the world. A fake engagement. A best friend’s wedding. A man called Brian. One deleted post that did not delete the problem. You can buy it here: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 17/06/2026

Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine is out tomorrow. Tomorrow, Lisa’s fake engagement officially leaves the group chat and enters the real world. A deleted post. A man called Brian. A wedding. And absolutely no chance this stays manageable. Pre-order: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 16/06/2026

2 days to go. Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine is out 18 June. Lisa could still choose honesty. Or she could keep walking directly towards the consequences and hope they move out of the way. Pre-order: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 15/06/2026

3 days to go. Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine is out 18 June. There’s still time for Lisa to tell the truth. There’s also still time for her to avoid the truth, make everything worse, and call that a plan. Pre-order: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 14/06/2026

4 days to go. Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine is out 18 June. At this point, the fake engagement has become less of a lie and more of a project Lisa has failed to scope properly. Pre-order: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 13/06/2026

I keep being asked what the music is on the Lisa Doyle clips, which is frankly the dream. It’s Absolutely Fine by Blackbird Static. Streaming everywhere now. The book is out 18 June: books2read.com/absolutely #LisaDoyleIsAbsolutelyFine #UKFiction #RomCom

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 13/06/2026

5 days to go. Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine is out 18 June. At this stage, the fake engagement is less a passing mistake and more a full administrative crisis. Pre-order: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 12/06/2026

6 days to go. Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine is out 18 June. A fake engagement is one thing. A fake engagement with a man who shares a name with your married boss is where the admin becomes unbearable. Pre-order: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 11/06/2026

One week until one drunken post ruins absolutely everything. A fake engagement. A man called Brian. A best friend’s wedding. A lie that really should have been dealt with immediately. Pre-order: books2read.com/absolutely Or badger your fave bookshop! #RomCom #UKFiction

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 10/06/2026

8 days to go. Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine is out on 18 June. She’s coping extremely well, by which I mean she has invented a fiancé, avoided several honest conversations, and is hoping events somehow sort themselves out. Pre-order: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction

Countdown graphic on a pale blue background reading “08 days to go” above the title “Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine”. Beneath the title is a simple illustration of a stressed-looking woman standing with both hands on her head.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 09/06/2026

First review is in - I’m taking this as permission to be insufferable. “This was a fabulous book which I highly recommend.” Huge thanks to @leftontheshelf1.bsky.social for reading Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine. Out 18 June. leftontheshelfbookblog.blogspot.com/2026/06/lisa... #UKFiction #RomCom

Graphic on a cream background reading “reviews are in” above a quote: “This was a fabulous book which I highly recommend.” The quote is credited to Annie Elliott, Left on the Shelf Blog. Below the text is a 3D image of the paperback cover for Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine by Mo Fanning.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 09/06/2026

9 days to go. Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine is out on 18 June. A fake engagement. A best friend’s wedding. A man called Brian. Several terrible decisions dressed up as problem-solving. Pre-order: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction

Countdown graphic on a cream background reading “09 days to go” above the title “Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine”. Beneath the title is a simple illustration of a woman sitting cross-legged and reading a blue book.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 08/06/2026

Very happy to say that Lisa Doyle Is Absolutely Fine is out in June 2026. It’s a warm, funny, slightly chaotic novel about one fake engagement, a lot of pressure, and a woman whose life is not nearly as sorted as she’d like people to think. books2read.com/absolutely

Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine book cover, next to the words: warm, sharp, romantic. If you ever had a bad idea and ran with it.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 08/06/2026

10 days until Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine is out in the world. A fake engagement. A man called Brian. A best friend’s wedding. A flatmate with acting range and questionable judgement. Pre-order: books2read.com/absolutely #RomCom #UKFiction

10 days to go until Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine is released. Image of a blue armchair under the book logotype.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 05/06/2026

An artist's impression of me at Manchester Piccadilly, because nothing promotes a book about faking things quite like a photo of me that isn't entirely real. Monday, around 12.30: I'm on the Mike Sweeney show, BBC Radio Manchester, talking about Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine. shop.mofanning.co.uk

Mo Fanning in Manchester, smiling in front of a sign at the railway station

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 03/06/2026

Sound on. Lisa Doyle has made one small mistake. It involves a fake engagement, a man called Brian, an actor flatmate, and a wedding promise made when she was eleven. So, fairly small. Lisa Doyle Is Absolutely Fine is out 18 June. Pre-order here: books2read.com/absolutely

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 28/05/2026

Lisa Doyle inherited a battered blue armchair and a remarkable gift for making everything worse. First listen to the audiobook of Lisa Doyle Is Absolutely Fine. Sound on. #BookSky #Audiobooks #RomanticFiction #BritishRomCom

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 26/05/2026

Four versions of this pitch landed in my inbox this morning. What they actually are, and how to spot them before they take your cash: #Writing open.substack.com/pub/mofanning/p/h…

How to make millions from publishing without writing a single word

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 26/05/2026

Lisa Doyle Is Absolutely Fine is about pressure, pretence and the small social lies that become impossible to hold together. Add it to your TBR if this is your sort of chaos. #UKRomcom #RomcomBooks books2read.com/absolutely

A very British romcom about lying politely until everything becomes unmanageable.

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 05/05/2026

Surely the most appropriate response is: "I'm the fucking Pope, mate. You're an over-promoted temp at best."

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 01/05/2026

Lisa Doyle Is Absolutely Fine is a sharply observed romantic comedy about pressure, pretence and the tiny moment when pretending you are fine stops working. Links to pre-order: linktr.ee/mofanning #UKRomcom #RomcomBook #RomanticComedyBooks #BritishFiction #FunnyBooks #BooksWithHeart #SummerReads

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 04/04/2026

Bravo to The Independent photo editor for this choice to illustrate high winds forecast due to Storm Dave this weekend.

Bald man with long white beard shown to be blowing in the wind

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 24/03/2026

Thunderbird is right. 'Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine' releases 18 June 2026 - but thanks afreyaashton@gmail.com for helping me update my spam filters. #WritingCommunity

Email from Author Freya Ashton <afreyaashton@gmail.com>
Subject: 895 of your Lisa Doyle readers rated but didn't review on Goodreads
Flaggged: Thunderbird thinks this message is junk mail

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Mo Fanning @mofanning.co.uk · 15/03/2026

Dear 'Ruby Rossini', no you are not. The book is out in June. I know the names of the people who have advance copies. curiouss.collective.bookclub@gmail.com Is not one of them. PS. Learn how to spell curious #scam

Hi Mo Fanning, our book club is currently reading Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine and the story has sparked engaging and thoughtful discussions among our members. Would you be open to joining us for a brief virtual chat about the book?

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