Lesley Bungay Author
@lesleyjayneb.bsky.social
Writer of novels, short stories, flash fiction and the occasional Haiku. Debut novel, A Year Without a Summer, published 7th May 2026 by barnardpublishing.co.uk Rep’d by Intersaga.co.uk
https://lesleyjayneb.substack.com
https://lesleyjayneb.substack.com
Pinned
My winding road to publication – Part 8
More editing, proofs and cover design
lesleyjayneb.substack.com
My latest post is live on Substack. Find out where I am on my winding road to publication here:
#debutauthor2026
lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/my-winding...
#debutauthor2026
lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/my-winding...
Reposted by Lesley Bungay Author
#vss365 #shadow
They will not follow beyond the gates — too afraid of the horrors concealed in the abandoned asylum. But phantom figures are no obstacle when the living are to be feared. She seeks the safety of the shadows. Until dawn. Only her imagination screams in the dark.
They will not follow beyond the gates — too afraid of the horrors concealed in the abandoned asylum. But phantom figures are no obstacle when the living are to be feared. She seeks the safety of the shadows. Until dawn. Only her imagination screams in the dark.
February 1, 2026 at 7:53 AM
#vss365 #obfuscate
She hid her truth well, a practised fragility that confused most opponents. But he saw through her attempts to obfuscate- the quick eye behind the flaky appearance. She was a shrewd player.
She hid her truth well, a practised fragility that confused most opponents. But he saw through her attempts to obfuscate- the quick eye behind the flaky appearance. She was a shrewd player.
January 29, 2026 at 1:25 PM
#vss365 #obfuscate
She hid her truth well, a practised fragility that confused most opponents. But he saw through her attempts to obfuscate- the quick eye behind the flaky appearance. She was a shrewd player.
She hid her truth well, a practised fragility that confused most opponents. But he saw through her attempts to obfuscate- the quick eye behind the flaky appearance. She was a shrewd player.
#vss365 #quiver
She watches him unsheathe the arrow, sees his hand tremble. They need this if they’re to survive another cruel winter, yet still he hates the kill. The day the quiver ceases will be the day she needs to worry. She places her arm on his. Reassures him they’re in this together.
She watches him unsheathe the arrow, sees his hand tremble. They need this if they’re to survive another cruel winter, yet still he hates the kill. The day the quiver ceases will be the day she needs to worry. She places her arm on his. Reassures him they’re in this together.
January 28, 2026 at 8:19 AM
It’s nice to be back amongst the #vss365 crowd. If anyone from the old place wants to drop me a like, I’ll be sure to follow. Catching up with you all slowly ☺️
January 27, 2026 at 8:43 AM
It’s nice to be back amongst the #vss365 crowd. If anyone from the old place wants to drop me a like, I’ll be sure to follow. Catching up with you all slowly ☺️
My latest post is live on Substack. Find out where I am on my winding road to publication here:
#debutauthor2026
lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/my-winding...
#debutauthor2026
lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/my-winding...
My winding road to publication – Part 8
More editing, proofs and cover design
lesleyjayneb.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:44 AM
My latest post is live on Substack. Find out where I am on my winding road to publication here:
#debutauthor2026
lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/my-winding...
#debutauthor2026
lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/my-winding...
Reposted by Lesley Bungay Author
Throughout a career in publishing, the commonest problem I’ve found in authors trying to break into the business is their fear of taking themselves seriously. If that’s you, try this. (Little thread follows.)
1. Remove “aspiring” or “would-be writer” from your bio. Replace it with “writer.”
1. Remove “aspiring” or “would-be writer” from your bio. Replace it with “writer.”
January 20, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Throughout a career in publishing, the commonest problem I’ve found in authors trying to break into the business is their fear of taking themselves seriously. If that’s you, try this. (Little thread follows.)
1. Remove “aspiring” or “would-be writer” from your bio. Replace it with “writer.”
1. Remove “aspiring” or “would-be writer” from your bio. Replace it with “writer.”
Watch this space for latest publication news.
January 20, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Watch this space for latest publication news.
An interesting read
goldsborobooks.com/blogs/news/w...
goldsborobooks.com/blogs/news/w...
Why Literary Snobbery Is Killing the Joy of Reading
A person walked into the bookshop recently. Coat still wet from rain. They movedwith the half-hesitant energy of someone who is not entirely convinced they belong.They drifted toward the crime shelves...
goldsborobooks.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:35 AM
An interesting read
goldsborobooks.com/blogs/news/w...
goldsborobooks.com/blogs/news/w...
Whether you step gently, cautiously or with a leap and a bound into 2026, I wish you all well for the year to come. May it bring everything you need and hope for ☺️
December 31, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Whether you step gently, cautiously or with a leap and a bound into 2026, I wish you all well for the year to come. May it bring everything you need and hope for ☺️
Wishing everyone a restful Christmas. I’ll be taking some time to recharge, ready for January and the final proof read of my novel before everything is finalised ready for publication in May. It’s going to be an awesome 2026 ☺️📚🤓🥂
December 19, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Wishing everyone a restful Christmas. I’ll be taking some time to recharge, ready for January and the final proof read of my novel before everything is finalised ready for publication in May. It’s going to be an awesome 2026 ☺️📚🤓🥂
My latest post on Substack is another book review with a difference. Opening up the Christmas drinks cabinet to see what’s on offer 📚🥰🤓🥂. lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/on-books-a.... #amreadi̇ng #books #favouritereadsof2025
On books and reading
an end of year review for 2025
lesleyjayneb.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:02 AM
My latest post on Substack is another book review with a difference. Opening up the Christmas drinks cabinet to see what’s on offer 📚🥰🤓🥂. lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/on-books-a.... #amreadi̇ng #books #favouritereadsof2025
I spent a wonderful couple of hours at one of my local libraries, running an Ageing Creatively session using my Little Boxes activity. They came up with boxes I hadn’t thought of to add to my list and some wonderful story ideas. ☺️ open.substack.com/pub/lesleyja...
Getting Creative
Where do you get your ideas from?
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
I spent a wonderful couple of hours at one of my local libraries, running an Ageing Creatively session using my Little Boxes activity. They came up with boxes I hadn’t thought of to add to my list and some wonderful story ideas. ☺️ open.substack.com/pub/lesleyja...
Looks like I need a new start word 😄
Wordle 1,603 1/6
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 1,603 1/6
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
November 8, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Looks like I need a new start word 😄
Wordle 1,603 1/6
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 1,603 1/6
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Let’s start at the very beginning. It’s a very good place to start. #mywritinglife
lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/first-words
lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/first-words
First Words
Where it all started
lesleyjayneb.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Let’s start at the very beginning. It’s a very good place to start. #mywritinglife
lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/first-words
lesleyjayneb.substack.com/p/first-words
Feeling like the new girl at school all over again, trying to figure it all out, hoping I don’t make a fool of myself and looking for friendly faces.
October 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Feeling like the new girl at school all over again, trying to figure it all out, hoping I don’t make a fool of myself and looking for friendly faces.