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jalwrites.bsky.social
James A Lyons
@jalwrites.bsky.social
6.1K followers 10K following 510 posts
Author 🏳️‍🌈
HALF THE WORLD AWAY - 11/11/25 through SRL Publishing.

Represented by Intersaga Literary Agency.
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jalwrites.bsky.social
James A Lyons @jalwrites.bsky.social · 3h
Half the World Away is now yours.

HEARTSTOPPER meets BOY LIKE ME

Set in the midst of Section 28, the BBC launch an inter-school pen pal project. Theo writes. Alex replies. This is what happens next.

Thanks to those who have written such wonderful reviews.

I really hope you all love it ✉️🌎
The front cover of the book, with the characters of Alex and Theo nearby. The text reads: Available now. Half the World Away. When Theo joins Year 9 at his local state school, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a new national pen pal project. After losing hope of a reply, an unexpected letter arrives from Alex, a confident private school boarder, sparking a connection that could change everything. www.linktree.com/jamesalyons Reviews - “Would fully recommend. It was such an easy read, and I absolutely loved it. The flow of the writing between Alex's letters and Theo's day were really well done and made it seamless to the point that you knew exactly what was going on.” ~ ARC review “A gorgeous, heartwarming, fuzzy book. I adored this from start to finish. I would have loved to have read more books like this growing up - so much about this book was wholesome and at the same time thought provoking. I would highly recommend this book! Absolutely gorgeous” ~ ARC review “Half the World Away explores love, distance, and identity in such a heartfelt way that I found myself smiling one minute and tearing up the next. It was tender, funnny, and quietly powerful. The themes of belonging, queer identity, and self-discovery shine through with warmth and emotion.” ~ ARC review “Half the World Away is a gorgeous, heartwarming story and I know you’ll just FALL IN LOVE with it! If you liked Heartstopper, you’ll love this! Sweet, wholesome and everything you need in a book.” ~ ARC review SEPTEMBER 1995 According to Nan, I’m four times more likely to be eaten by a shark than I am to win the National Lottery. Well, the joke is on her. I have never paddled deeper than my shins in the sea, and in front of me sits a winning lottery ticket. It may only be three matching numbers and worth a tenner, but I will take any positivity I can get. Life has been one kickback after another recently. Ten pounds won’t change that, and I often wonder if I’ll ever get a real lucky day. Today is my second ever first day of school. With the way Mum has been making a fuss, I should have an adventurous excitement flowing through my veins with each ripple from my heartbeat. The truth is my stomach is knotted as I stare down at three soggy Weetabix. They swim around my bowl, turning to mush, whilst Take That remind me from the radio to never forget where I came here from. Heartstopper meets Boy Like Me. Theo has been home schooled for three years, but his mother’s terminal illness forces him into Year Nine at his local school. Struggling to adapt, he’s persuaded to join a national pen pal project. His letter lands on the desk of Alex—a confident, private school boarder, and aspiring county rower—everything Theo is not. Despite their differences, the two begin to secretly confide, sharing struggles with grief, loneliness, and the pressures of a society demanding conformity. As their correspondence intensifies, Theo realises he has fallen for the boy in the letters. Concerned the outside world remains unwelcoming, and with Alex set to move to France, Theo must express his true feelings before they miss their chance to meet.
Reposted by James A Lyons
arlenrenwrites.bsky.social
Happy book birthday! 🥳
jalwrites.bsky.social James A Lyons @jalwrites.bsky.social · 3h
Half the World Away is now yours.

HEARTSTOPPER meets BOY LIKE ME

Set in the midst of Section 28, the BBC launch an inter-school pen pal project. Theo writes. Alex replies. This is what happens next.

Thanks to those who have written such wonderful reviews.

I really hope you all love it ✉️🌎
The front cover of the book, with the characters of Alex and Theo nearby. The text reads: Available now. Half the World Away. When Theo joins Year 9 at his local state school, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a new national pen pal project. After losing hope of a reply, an unexpected letter arrives from Alex, a confident private school boarder, sparking a connection that could change everything. www.linktree.com/jamesalyons Reviews - “Would fully recommend. It was such an easy read, and I absolutely loved it. The flow of the writing between Alex's letters and Theo's day were really well done and made it seamless to the point that you knew exactly what was going on.” ~ ARC review “A gorgeous, heartwarming, fuzzy book. I adored this from start to finish. I would have loved to have read more books like this growing up - so much about this book was wholesome and at the same time thought provoking. I would highly recommend this book! Absolutely gorgeous” ~ ARC review “Half the World Away explores love, distance, and identity in such a heartfelt way that I found myself smiling one minute and tearing up the next. It was tender, funnny, and quietly powerful. The themes of belonging, queer identity, and self-discovery shine through with warmth and emotion.” ~ ARC review “Half the World Away is a gorgeous, heartwarming story and I know you’ll just FALL IN LOVE with it! If you liked Heartstopper, you’ll love this! Sweet, wholesome and everything you need in a book.” ~ ARC review SEPTEMBER 1995 According to Nan, I’m four times more likely to be eaten by a shark than I am to win the National Lottery. Well, the joke is on her. I have never paddled deeper than my shins in the sea, and in front of me sits a winning lottery ticket. It may only be three matching numbers and worth a tenner, but I will take any positivity I can get. Life has been one kickback after another recently. Ten pounds won’t change that, and I often wonder if I’ll ever get a real lucky day. Today is my second ever first day of school. With the way Mum has been making a fuss, I should have an adventurous excitement flowing through my veins with each ripple from my heartbeat. The truth is my stomach is knotted as I stare down at three soggy Weetabix. They swim around my bowl, turning to mush, whilst Take That remind me from the radio to never forget where I came here from. Heartstopper meets Boy Like Me. Theo has been home schooled for three years, but his mother’s terminal illness forces him into Year Nine at his local school. Struggling to adapt, he’s persuaded to join a national pen pal project. His letter lands on the desk of Alex—a confident, private school boarder, and aspiring county rower—everything Theo is not. Despite their differences, the two begin to secretly confide, sharing struggles with grief, loneliness, and the pressures of a society demanding conformity. As their correspondence intensifies, Theo realises he has fallen for the boy in the letters. Concerned the outside world remains unwelcoming, and with Alex set to move to France, Theo must express his true feelings before they miss their chance to meet.
November 11, 2025 at 11:09 AM
jalwrites.bsky.social
Get your copy for as little as £3.99 at:

www.linktree.com/jamesalyons
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 AM
jalwrites.bsky.social
Half the World Away is now yours.

HEARTSTOPPER meets BOY LIKE ME

Set in the midst of Section 28, the BBC launch an inter-school pen pal project. Theo writes. Alex replies. This is what happens next.

Thanks to those who have written such wonderful reviews.

I really hope you all love it ✉️🌎
The front cover of the book, with the characters of Alex and Theo nearby. The text reads: Available now. Half the World Away. When Theo joins Year 9 at his local state school, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a new national pen pal project. After losing hope of a reply, an unexpected letter arrives from Alex, a confident private school boarder, sparking a connection that could change everything. www.linktree.com/jamesalyons Reviews - “Would fully recommend. It was such an easy read, and I absolutely loved it. The flow of the writing between Alex's letters and Theo's day were really well done and made it seamless to the point that you knew exactly what was going on.” ~ ARC review “A gorgeous, heartwarming, fuzzy book. I adored this from start to finish. I would have loved to have read more books like this growing up - so much about this book was wholesome and at the same time thought provoking. I would highly recommend this book! Absolutely gorgeous” ~ ARC review “Half the World Away explores love, distance, and identity in such a heartfelt way that I found myself smiling one minute and tearing up the next. It was tender, funnny, and quietly powerful. The themes of belonging, queer identity, and self-discovery shine through with warmth and emotion.” ~ ARC review “Half the World Away is a gorgeous, heartwarming story and I know you’ll just FALL IN LOVE with it! If you liked Heartstopper, you’ll love this! Sweet, wholesome and everything you need in a book.” ~ ARC review SEPTEMBER 1995 According to Nan, I’m four times more likely to be eaten by a shark than I am to win the National Lottery. Well, the joke is on her. I have never paddled deeper than my shins in the sea, and in front of me sits a winning lottery ticket. It may only be three matching numbers and worth a tenner, but I will take any positivity I can get. Life has been one kickback after another recently. Ten pounds won’t change that, and I often wonder if I’ll ever get a real lucky day. Today is my second ever first day of school. With the way Mum has been making a fuss, I should have an adventurous excitement flowing through my veins with each ripple from my heartbeat. The truth is my stomach is knotted as I stare down at three soggy Weetabix. They swim around my bowl, turning to mush, whilst Take That remind me from the radio to never forget where I came here from. Heartstopper meets Boy Like Me. Theo has been home schooled for three years, but his mother’s terminal illness forces him into Year Nine at his local school. Struggling to adapt, he’s persuaded to join a national pen pal project. His letter lands on the desk of Alex—a confident, private school boarder, and aspiring county rower—everything Theo is not. Despite their differences, the two begin to secretly confide, sharing struggles with grief, loneliness, and the pressures of a society demanding conformity. As their correspondence intensifies, Theo realises he has fallen for the boy in the letters. Concerned the outside world remains unwelcoming, and with Alex set to move to France, Theo must express his true feelings before they miss their chance to meet.
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 AM
jalwrites.bsky.social
OUT TOMORROW!!!!
jalwrites.bsky.social James A Lyons @jalwrites.bsky.social · 4d
My new novel HALF THE WORLD AWAY is out early next week!

If you are looking for a new LGBTQ+ young adult read, see the below tweet for places to get your copy! Also available from most booksellers worldwide.
On the right is the front cover of the book Half the World Away, with the characters of Alex and Theo. Alex is dressed in a blue school blazer, whereas Theo is in a green jacket, sat cross legged. ON the left is the text Heartstopper x Boy Like Me When Theo joins Year 9 at his local state school, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a new national pen pal project. After losing hope of a reply, an unexpected letter arrives from Alex, a confident private school boarder, sparking a connection that could change everything.
November 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by James A Lyons
jalwrites.bsky.social
My new novel HALF THE WORLD AWAY is out early next week!

If you are looking for a new LGBTQ+ young adult read, see the below tweet for places to get your copy! Also available from most booksellers worldwide.
On the right is the front cover of the book Half the World Away, with the characters of Alex and Theo. Alex is dressed in a blue school blazer, whereas Theo is in a green jacket, sat cross legged. ON the left is the text Heartstopper x Boy Like Me When Theo joins Year 9 at his local state school, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a new national pen pal project. After losing hope of a reply, an unexpected letter arrives from Alex, a confident private school boarder, sparking a connection that could change everything.
November 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
I have some more book news coming at the end of this month 👀
A picture of a drag queen with a glitch filter. At the top in bold yellow are the words: Wake up. Wear heels. Kick arse. At the bottom in shadow text is the name The Dragnficent seven
November 6, 2025 at 10:57 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
My new novel HALF THE WORLD AWAY is out early next week!

If you are looking for a new LGBTQ+ young adult read, see the below tweet for places to get your copy! Also available from most booksellers worldwide.
On the right is the front cover of the book Half the World Away, with the characters of Alex and Theo. Alex is dressed in a blue school blazer, whereas Theo is in a green jacket, sat cross legged. ON the left is the text Heartstopper x Boy Like Me When Theo joins Year 9 at his local state school, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a new national pen pal project. After losing hope of a reply, an unexpected letter arrives from Alex, a confident private school boarder, sparking a connection that could change everything.
November 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by James A Lyons
arlenrenwrites.bsky.social
He's the only thing standing between college students and certain death. Unfortunately, teen monster hunter Daniel is responsible for more civilian deaths than monster kills, and unless he can find the key to a power he doesn't believe in, his new friends will pay the price...

#QuestPit #YA #Q #UF
a picture of two teenage monster hunters - a white boy with white hair and an Asian girl with black and blonde hair - by artist iLiibra, next to the title "An Agent's Guide to The Tithe That Binds by Arlen Ren" YA. Paranormal. 78k. When an inept teen monster hunter is sent undercover to a prestigious college, he's horrified to discover that he's the only thing standing between its students and certain death. Failing to find his power, he instead finds a girl with powers she shouldn't have...who he shouldn't be falling for. Longlisted in the 2024 Times Chicken House competition. It was crouched on the edge of the building, instantly recognisable by its ashen skin and lipless mouth, eyeless sockets and gleaming fangs. Vampire. For fans of Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy, The Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski, and First Kill by V.E. Schwab. Shared themes are monsters drawn to hunters, forbidden feelings, action-packed fight sequences and a secret monster-hunting society.
November 5, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Reposted by James A Lyons
qqueenlyart.bsky.social
A Certain Hunger X Diavola

Critical Position's first #Agentguide

🫀Why choose love triangle
🫀Misogyny in chess
🫀Eat the rich like that one Dutch minister
🫀Too many beds and using none of them

#H #R #A #W #Questpit
Title "Critical positions" with subtitle "a horror novel (with romance)" over a background of a filled dinner table On the left is a brown and red moodboard and on the right is a pitch for the novel critical positions
November 5, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by James A Lyons
melanielocke.bsky.social
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR

👁️ a gay seer determined to fake it till he makes it
🚒 a butch lesbian firefighter who thinks she's the Chosen One
😱 a Fear based apocalypse set to end the world

Without a real Chosen One, what could possibly go wrong?

#Questpit #A #F #LGBT #ND #Q
Opening page to agent's guide. Text: Agent's guide to You are Not the Chosen One, an adult queer fantasy by Melanie Locke. Placed at the center of an artdeco frame with black and golden coloring Part two of the agent's guide. Artdeco background with black and gold. Pitch: When Seer Cass learns there's no Chosen One to save the world from a Fear based apocalypse, he tells firefighter Esti she's the Chosen One. If she ever learns he lied, the world will end. Comps on the right with covers and a poster. The Umbrella Academy season 1 poster, the Last Hour between World, the Raven Scholar, Dark Rise. Snippet. Same background as previous picture, with messy paper on top. Text: “How did it feel?” she asked, voice soft. Careful. For a moment he looked at her, eyes like broken glass. He sat up, fists clenched. “Bad! It feels fucking bad, okay? But it doesn’t matter. If I have to kill one man to save a village then that is what I will do. You can’t save the world without getting blood on your hands. And the worst thing is, it didn’t even work.” Esti didn’t know what to say. Cass stared into the distance, arms wrapped tight around his body. He’d never looked so small before. And yet Esti knew what he was capable of. It mattered little how he felt, his sorrow didn’t bring the mayor back. And perhaps he would have died no matter what. Perhaps Cass had done the best he could in impossible circumstances. But Esti couldn’t forget he’d murdered a man in cold blood. “I didn’t ask for this, you know.” Bitterness spilled out like a basilisk’s venom. “Being the seer meant to stop the Fear, having only one year left.”
November 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Reposted by James A Lyons
jalwrites.bsky.social
Half the World Away - Coming this November through @srlpublishing.bsky.social .

Are you a fan of #heartstopper or Simon James Green and looking for your next LGBTQ+ young adult read? Why not check it out.
A cartoon field background. On the right is the cover of Half the World Away, with the characters of Theo and Alex nearby. ON the left, in a peach box, is the text: Coming this November. Heartstopper x Boy Like Me. When Theo joins Year 9 at his local state school, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a new national pen pal project. After losing hope of a reply, an unexpected letter arrives from Alex, a confident private school boarder, sparking a connection that could change everything. Under is a four star review saying “I absolutely loved it. The flow of the writing between Alex's letters and Theo's day were really well done and made it seamless to the point that you knew exactly what was going on.” ~ ARC review. And then the order link - www.linktree.com/jamesalyons
October 15, 2025 at 3:10 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
Half the World Away - Coming this November through @srlpublishing.bsky.social .

Are you a fan of #heartstopper or Simon James Green and looking for your next LGBTQ+ young adult read? Why not check it out.
A cartoon field background. On the right is the cover of Half the World Away, with the characters of Theo and Alex nearby. ON the left, in a peach box, is the text: Coming this November. Heartstopper x Boy Like Me. When Theo joins Year 9 at his local state school, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a new national pen pal project. After losing hope of a reply, an unexpected letter arrives from Alex, a confident private school boarder, sparking a connection that could change everything. Under is a four star review saying “I absolutely loved it. The flow of the writing between Alex's letters and Theo's day were really well done and made it seamless to the point that you knew exactly what was going on.” ~ ARC review. And then the order link - www.linktree.com/jamesalyons
October 15, 2025 at 3:10 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
If people can give a 3⭐ review for a thirty year old film on Letterboxd then they can give a star review for the last book they read.
October 6, 2025 at 2:47 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
Pam St Clement - End of an Earing
or
Paul Sinha - One Sinha Lifetime
john-self.bsky.social John Self @john-self.bsky.social · Oct 6
Best titles of autobiographies?

Starting with:

- Vic Reeves, Me: Moir
- Dennis Waterman, Reminder (thanks @whenisbirths.bsky.social)
- AA Gill, Pour Me
- Gene Simmons, Kiss and Make-Up
- Julian Clary, A Young Man's Passage
October 6, 2025 at 1:19 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
If you have a second, please add my new novel Half the World Away to your 'want to read' list if you use Goodreads.

www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
October 3, 2025 at 8:43 AM
jalwrites.bsky.social
Half the World Away - 11/11/2025

HEARTSTOPPER x BOY LIKE ME

My brand new young adult novel is available to pre-order now from all your favourite places.

🛒 - www.linktree.com/jamesalyons
A yellow and blue poster. IN the top half is the cover for Half the World Away, with the character of Alex leaning against the book, and Theo sitting on the floor in front of it. Underneath is the title, along with the text : The BBC have launched a national pen pal project for Year 9 pupils. Theo writes in. Alex replies. This is what happens next.
October 1, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by James A Lyons
jalwrites.bsky.social
"Section 28 bred isolation for so many kids that is was supposedly brought in to protect."

Find out more about my novel Half the World Away here:

jamesalyons.substack.com/p/half-the-w...
HALF THE WORLD AWAY - 11/11/2025
My new young adult novel is available to pre-order now!
jamesalyons.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
One thing I will say: You don't have to have your characters name in the pitch.

EG.

When Dorothy, a 12yo young girl from Kansas, goes over the rainbow due to a tornado....

v

When a young girl from Kansas ends up over the rainbow...

Save yourself those 30 characters for putting stakes!

#predv
jalwrites.bsky.social James A Lyons @jalwrites.bsky.social · Sep 29
If anyone wants me to help with their #DVPit pitches during #predv hit me up. DM's should be open.
September 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
If anyone wants me to help with their #DVPit pitches during #predv hit me up. DM's should be open.
September 29, 2025 at 2:17 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
Just reading an interview with a celebrity author explaining how a Big 5 publisher kept visiting their house asking them to finish writing their book so they could publish it.

Might laugh because otherwise I'd cry.
September 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
"Section 28 bred isolation for so many kids that is was supposedly brought in to protect."

Find out more about my novel Half the World Away here:

jamesalyons.substack.com/p/half-the-w...
HALF THE WORLD AWAY - 11/11/2025
My new young adult novel is available to pre-order now!
jamesalyons.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
Things that are more expensive than the young adult book I spent two years writing: Part 1.

🥣- Half the World Away: linktr.ee/jamesalyons
A picture of a smallish box of coco pops on the shelf at co-op. They are priced at £4.15. Underneath is the text Half the World Away from £3.99. Link in Bio.
September 25, 2025 at 10:27 AM
jalwrites.bsky.social
My new YA, Half the World Away, is currently sat at Number 3 in the Amazon Young Adult Gay Fiction ebook charts!

Don't miss out securing your copy.

👀 www.linktree.com/jamesalyons
The front cover of Half the World Away. It features the title over a globe, with a fireplace underneath. on the fireplace sits a pot plant, an open letter, and a flamingo ornament. The back cover. It features Theo sitting on the floor, and Alex leaning on the blurb. the blurb reads: Heartstopper meets Boy Like Me. Thirteen-year-old Theo has been home-schooled since he was ten, but his mother’s terminal illness forces him to enter Year Nine at his local state school. Struggling to fit in, he reluctantly agrees to join a national pen pal project. His letter lands on the desk of Alexander —a confident, upper-middle-class private school boarder, gifted classical musician, and aspiring county rower—everything Theo is not. Despite their differences, the two boys begin to secretly confide in each other, sharing their struggles with grief, loneliness, and the pressures of a society that is demanding conformity. As their correspondence blossoms over three academic years, Theo realises he has fallen for the boy in the letters. Concerned that the world around him remains unwelcoming, and with their schooling coming to an end, Theo must step out of the shadows and express his feelings before he and Alex miss their final chance to meet.
September 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
Are there any agented and published authors on here from diverse backgrounds who might be willing to answer a few short questions in relation to querying etc for some Substack bits with me please?

DM's should be open.

#writingcommunity
September 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
jalwrites.bsky.social
Hey, what if we created MagazinePit?!*

Sharing cos why not. I made the graphics so might as well use them. Editors let me know if you wanna see it etc.

#unhingedpit #OS #LGBT

(*Don't start another pitch event).
A fake magazine cover with a drag queen on a light background. She is wearing a short purple dress and has a large styled blonde wig. At the top is EAST END BOYS AND WEST END GIRLS. Autumn Winter 2025. £2.80. Tropes Road trip! Found family! Rivals to lovers! Forced proximity! Comps Here we go again, It's a sin, Priscilla, kinky Boots. Adult contemporary fiction. In the bottom right is a barcode.
September 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM