The List of Suspicious Things

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A passion for books led her to a degree in English and Politics at De Montford University in Leicester. Three decades on, she is a student again, this time studying for a PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Bristol.

Maggie Thatcher is prime minister, drainpipe jeans are in, and Miv is convinced that her dad wants to move their family Down South. On paper we shouldn’t be friends. Firstly, we are from totally different generations, secondly our novels are entirely different. But we are friends, good friends and it’s made me doubt everything I know about building connections in my life. Our top tips for writing and nurturing your writing friendship: The main character, Miv, is a very strong willed not quite teenager, who gets it in her mind that she can solve the case of the Yorkshire Ripper. She begins to make a list of suspicious characters and places in her town, roping in her not-so-keen-on-getting-involved friend, Sharon. Along the way, we meet the other residents of their small town, with many giggles and traumas along the way. I have heard nothing but good things about [ We All Want Impossible Things] and they were all quite right - it's so warm and funny and full of great observations ... it looks set for rip-roaring success, deservedly so! CLARE CHAMBERS, author of SMALL PLEASURES Jennie said: “It’ll sound really trite, but I really did have a moment where I thought: ‘I’m nearing 50, and I’ve had this thing that I’ve wanted to do since I was child. If not now, then when?’A prize-winning, spine-tingling gothic suspense novel based on a real-life murder trial in 1897 West Virginia Nora-Ephron-style wit...comforting, so funny, moving... one of my favourite books ever' MARIAN KEYES Both parents are really proud that it’s about Yorkshire, because it’s not necessarily a place that is reflected in literature in abundance. But their search for the truth reveals more secrets in their neighbourhood, within their families - and between each other - than they ever thought possible. Writing the book was a homecoming and it’s fantastic to be showcasing my home area and people,” Jennie said.

Jennie Godfrey is such a talented new voice in fiction, her writing is brave and unexpected and reminded me of Joanna Cannon. whose work I adore. A beautiful and emotional debut that I know will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended. This book has so much: feisty feminist characters ahead of their time, ghosts, historical drama, justice, Catherine Newman sees the heartbreak and comedy of life with wisdom and unflinching compassion. The way she finds the extraordinary in the everyday is nothing short of poetry. She's a writer's writer-and a human's human. KATHERINE CENTER , New York Times bestselling author The event brought together journalists, publishers, authors and retailers at the Hoxton Hotel in London. Jennie: I was in a conversation with Hannah when my first ever full manuscript request came through. It was great to be able to share it with someone who totally ‘got’ what that meant. It was even more helpful to have her mop up my tears when I got the subsequent rejection.

Inspiration is so important when we decide to change direction. Do you have a resource that you’d recommend to others?

Hannah: Trying to get a book agented is a full-time job, however, I had Jennie who had advice, tips, but more importantly the most detailed spreadsheet I have ever seen. It was through this incredible piece of Excel wizardry that I saw my agent’s name. I queried with my first two chapters on the Saturday, had a full request on the Monday and was being offered representation (with Emily MacDonald at 42) on Friday. I am indebted to Jennie for all of her hard work because without it I would never have found my agent and the process would have been 100% harder. 6. Celebrate success and commiserate rejection I believe our failures are signposts pointing us towards what will be better or what can be more rewarding. These people may not have ‘leadership’ in their role or title, but they demonstrate leadership in their everyday life. The point is that we all lead in our own way. I want to uncover people who do this particularly well and tell their stories in the hope of inspiring others to engage with and harness their inner leader. A profound study of grief, love and friendship that will resonate with anyone who has lost someone special ... there are plenty of funny and touching moments in this beautiful novel that will make your heart soar. HEAT She said: “My own childhood was haunted by the Yorkshire Ripper and I wanted to write a novel that captured the atmosphere of the time and the shadow he cast over the community, while also celebrating human resilience and the power of connection.

Jennie Godfrey has studied on several of our online courses, including our popular How to Write Your Novel series and our three-month Writing Your Novel course. Now Hutchinson Heinemann have acquired Jennie's debut novel The List of Suspicious Things in an exciting overnight deal.

Do you consider yourself a leader?

Peter Sutcliffe’s presence dominated Jennie’s early life, but it was only upon his arrest that she realised how closely their lives had touched. Her mechanic father worked with Sutcliffe, frequently servicing the lorries he drove. And after her PhD? Perhaps a memoir, perhaps another novel, but her die is cast; and they aren’t showing a return to HR. Ailah Ahmed, publishing director, and Helen Conford, publisher, introduced the showcase, which was bookended by wine and canapes. Jennie really can write characters and there are so many great ones in this book. From the main character Miv to Omar at the local shop to Yorkshire itself it was a pleasure to spend time with them all. Not using the biggest selling book of the year/decade as your only comp – it paints you into a corner and there’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, tread it carefully.

But when Trout is put on trial, no one believes he could have done it, apart from Mary Jane and Zona’s best friend Lucy, who was always suspicious of Trout. As the trial raises to fever pitch and the men of Greenbrier County stand aligned against them, Mary Jane and Lucy must decide whether to reveal Zona’s greatest secret in the service of justice. But it’s Zona herself, from beyond the grave, who still has one last revelation to make.This blogpost is for anyone in the position of querying agents/pitching their book who struggles with identifying comp titles. I know that for some writers, providing comps is like writing a synopsis; a necessary task, but one to be hated and feared. For fans of Nora Ephron and Sorrow & Bliss, We All Want Impossible Things is a deeply moving, jubilant celebration of life and friendship at its imperfect, radiant, and irreverent best. This is a proper laugh-out-loud tale of friendship that will utterly win your heart ... A truly special book - prepare to read this, fall in love and then hector everyone you know into reading it. STYLIST