Amy Sparkes
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amysparkes.bsky.social
Amy Sparkes
@amysparkes.bsky.social
680 followers 240 following 190 posts
ND Writer, screenwriter, producer, director, musician-er, home educator
Author of 30 books, eg 'House At The Edge Of Magic' series & 'The Players' trilogy
Helps writers: www.storygodmother.co.uk
Prod co: www.swordandfiddle.co.uk
Books: www.amysparkes.co.uk
Posts Replies Media Videos
amysparkes.bsky.social
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
A square with purple, swirly background. The Story Godmother logo is at the top: The words 'The Story Godmother' above an open book with sparkles around. Text below reads: Free mentoring opportunity for 2026.
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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.
October 4, 2025 at 7:00 AM
amysparkes.bsky.social
🎭🎲🥁🎻💀⚔
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.
October 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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
An open magazine, showing an article titled 'The New and the Old' with a headshot of Amy Sparkes. A copy of her novel 'The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage' is placed on top of the open magazine. 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!
September 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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
August 18, 2025 at 10:44 AM
amysparkes.bsky.social
🍌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.
August 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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
July 31, 2025 at 7:03 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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
July 29, 2025 at 9:19 AM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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
July 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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.
July 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
amysparkes.bsky.social
E-book available:

www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...

www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-...

(paperbacks available at Amazon on 29th July)

You can also order paperbacks from Waterstones or your local bookshop

🎭🎻🥁🎲⚔💀❤️‍🩹

Cover: Sarah Christie

Film: @swordandfiddle.co.uk

#BookSky
Cover of "The Players Act 1" by Amy Sparkes. Behind the book a hawker playing a drum is visible, and a peacock feather protrudes from the other side. In the background is a green curtain. A bit of smoke envelopes all.
July 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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
July 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
**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!
July 10, 2025 at 12:16 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
***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
July 2, 2025 at 5:54 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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'.
June 28, 2025 at 6:29 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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?
June 20, 2025 at 4:54 AM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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. 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.
June 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
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
June 3, 2025 at 3:50 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
**Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize**

Very excited that this is running again this year. We have seen some fantastic results from this competition, including winners signing with agents, and books picked up for publication.

Here's what you need to know:
#writingcompetition
June 1, 2025 at 1:53 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
'The Players' is about a down-on-their-luck troupe of strolling players in 1715 with one last chance to save their theatre company. There's comedy, tragedy, #neurodiversity #lgbtq #workingclasscharacters, all sprinkled with #Shakespeare & served with heart and hope.
#Players1715 #historicalfiction
A green curtain background with the cover of a novel: The Players Act 1 All The World's A Stage. Labels are dotted around the image pointing at the cover, giving the following information about the book: Found family, grey villain, strong females, uplifting, vengeance, marginalised characters.
June 1, 2025 at 6:51 AM
amysparkes.bsky.social
My next newsletter for readers is out today & includes a sneak-peek at the first chapter of THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.
🎭🥁🎻🎲⚔

If you'd like to take a look, please subscribe here:
buttondown.com/AmySparkesAu...

#BookSky #historicalfiction #Shakespeare #Players1715 #InclusiveFiction
On the left hand side of the image is a front and back cover of a novel with a parchment style background.A ribbon tumbles down the cover bearing the title words: The Players Act 1: All The World's A Stage. Tagline: How far would you go to save what you truly love? Author Amy Sparkes. Four commedia dell'arte characters are dotted around the title, clad in purple. On the right hand side of the image is another piece of parchment which says: Act 1. The curtain rises. Newsletter exclusive. Read the opening chapter of The Players. Sending June 1st.
June 1, 2025 at 6:20 AM
amysparkes.bsky.social
My next newsletter for readers is coming out tomorrow and I'm so excited to share with you a sneak-peek at the very first chapter of THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.

🎭🥁🎻🎲⚔

If you'd like to take a look, please do subscribe here:

buttondown.com/AmySparkesAu...
Thank you!

#BookSky
Image shows the front cover and back cover of THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE by Amy Sparkes. Front cover has a background like a piece of parchment. On it is a ribbon bearing the title, and four comedia dell'Arte figures. A picture on the right reads: Act 1: the Curtain rises... Newsletter exclusive. Read the opening chapter of The Players. Sending June 1st.
May 31, 2025 at 1:44 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
If you'd like a sneak-peek at my debut adult novel, "THE PLAYERS ACT 1: ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE", my next newsletter for readers is coming out in a few days and I'm sharing the opening chapter: buttondown.com/AmySparkesAu...
Just over two months until the book is published! Yeek!
#BookSky 🎭⚔️🥁🎻❤️‍🩹
May 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
amysparkes.bsky.social
In this month's issue of Writing Magazine you can read all about the winners of the 2024 Writing Magazine Children's Book Prize.

Huge congratulations to talented writers - Gillian Leech, Charlotte Dale and Gemma Callaghan (@writergem)!

The competition is running again this autumn.
May 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
amysparkes.bsky.social
Really excited to share some key features of my new PLAYERS book, coming out in July.

These are some of my favourite elements in storytelling.
If it sounds up your street, you can pre-order PLAYERS here:

www.amazon.co.uk/Players-Act-...

Thank you!
#BookSky
Green curtain as background. The book cover of THE PLAYERS ACT 1 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE by Amy Sparkes is in the middle. Squirly arrows point to the cover, highlighting key features of the book: Found family, grey villain, uplifting, strong females, vengeance, marginalised characters.
April 12, 2025 at 11:16 AM