Catherine Balavage Yardley
@catherineby.bsky.social
Author of Ember and Where The Light is Hottest. Freelance writer. Editor-in-chief of Frost Magazine. Words in The Sunday Times, Mslexia, The Bookseller, The Guardian, Metro.
Black Friday is rubbish this year. Most things have between £4-6 off. Hardly a bargain. #BlackFriday
November 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Black Friday is rubbish this year. Most things have between £4-6 off. Hardly a bargain. #BlackFriday
When you let the four-year-old make their own breakfast. #parenting
November 29, 2025 at 11:52 AM
When you let the four-year-old make their own breakfast. #parenting
When you have been girl bossing too close to the sun, head to Champneys and get them to unmangle your back. #workworkwork #selfcare #massage
November 21, 2025 at 9:14 AM
When you have been girl bossing too close to the sun, head to Champneys and get them to unmangle your back. #workworkwork #selfcare #massage
No, I haven’t stolen my neighbours cat. He came in all by himself with minimal bribery and meowing from me. 😇 #cats #purebreed #purebreedcat
November 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM
No, I haven’t stolen my neighbours cat. He came in all by himself with minimal bribery and meowing from me. 😇 #cats #purebreed #purebreedcat
Publishing is a long game. It’s also a tough industry. Here are some lessons I have learned. What would you add? #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #publishing #authorcommunity
November 17, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Publishing is a long game. It’s also a tough industry. Here are some lessons I have learned. What would you add? #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #publishing #authorcommunity
My 4yo: What do you love?
Me: Gives him a list which includes 'my friends.'
My 4yo with a look of shock: You have friends?!
Me: Yes!
4yo: Who are your friends?
Me: Gives him a list.
4yo: Oh, I never realised those people were your friends.
😂
Me: Gives him a list which includes 'my friends.'
My 4yo with a look of shock: You have friends?!
Me: Yes!
4yo: Who are your friends?
Me: Gives him a list.
4yo: Oh, I never realised those people were your friends.
😂
November 17, 2025 at 11:44 AM
My 4yo: What do you love?
Me: Gives him a list which includes 'my friends.'
My 4yo with a look of shock: You have friends?!
Me: Yes!
4yo: Who are your friends?
Me: Gives him a list.
4yo: Oh, I never realised those people were your friends.
😂
Me: Gives him a list which includes 'my friends.'
My 4yo with a look of shock: You have friends?!
Me: Yes!
4yo: Who are your friends?
Me: Gives him a list.
4yo: Oh, I never realised those people were your friends.
😂
Me: Do you love books?
My 4yo: Are you still a writer?
Me: Yes.
4yo: Then I still love books.
My 4yo: Are you still a writer?
Me: Yes.
4yo: Then I still love books.
November 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Me: Do you love books?
My 4yo: Are you still a writer?
Me: Yes.
4yo: Then I still love books.
My 4yo: Are you still a writer?
Me: Yes.
4yo: Then I still love books.
I was captivated by the blurb of this book. It looks amazing. Such a clever concept from @eleanortuckerauthor I’m going in… Published by @hera_books
You could look 20 years younger. Would you do it?
You could look 20 years younger. Would you do it?
November 14, 2025 at 11:36 AM
I was captivated by the blurb of this book. It looks amazing. Such a clever concept from @eleanortuckerauthor I’m going in… Published by @hera_books
You could look 20 years younger. Would you do it?
You could look 20 years younger. Would you do it?
They won’t tell you this, but nothing is more attractive than accountability.
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
They won’t tell you this, but nothing is more attractive than accountability.
November 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM
I don’t think we talk enough about how nice it is to cancel things and do absolutely nothing.
November 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I don’t think we talk enough about how nice it is to cancel things and do absolutely nothing.
I’m one of those parents who let their kids play with sand, play dough and paint in the house. At least one of us is having fun. It’s definitely stressful, but I just relax and tell myself they’re having fun and cleaning it up is not that bad. My husband does not agree 😂😂 #letkidsbekids #sand
November 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I’m one of those parents who let their kids play with sand, play dough and paint in the house. At least one of us is having fun. It’s definitely stressful, but I just relax and tell myself they’re having fun and cleaning it up is not that bad. My husband does not agree 😂😂 #letkidsbekids #sand
My husband and I nicknamed our kids ‘the kraken’ when they were younger. When they were in the pram, we would say ‘should I release the kraken?’ The in-joke was funny until they asked what a kraken is. Turns out being compared to an ancient sea monster isn’t a compliment.
November 8, 2025 at 8:42 PM
My husband and I nicknamed our kids ‘the kraken’ when they were younger. When they were in the pram, we would say ‘should I release the kraken?’ The in-joke was funny until they asked what a kraken is. Turns out being compared to an ancient sea monster isn’t a compliment.
I’m in The Telegraph today: apple.news/AbXQFTekBTT6...
‘Separate bathrooms and our own duvets are the key to our successful marriage’ — The Telegraph
Catherine and her husband James have been happily married for 11 years. Here’s how they keep the spark alive
apple.news
November 6, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I’m in The Telegraph today: apple.news/AbXQFTekBTT6...
I’m in The Telegraph today talking about the key to a successful marriage. #freelancewriter #freelancewriters #marriage #relationships #love
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I’m in The Telegraph today talking about the key to a successful marriage. #freelancewriter #freelancewriters #marriage #relationships #love
Sitting on so much exciting stuff I can’t wait to share at the moment. This year has been dream-worthy. #lucky #privilege #happy
November 4, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Sitting on so much exciting stuff I can’t wait to share at the moment. This year has been dream-worthy. #lucky #privilege #happy
People ask if I am the main character in my book, Where The Light is Hottest, a lot. Some people don’t believe me when I say no. The truth is: we authors put a lot of ourselves in our characters and books. But there are other things too. What about other writers? Let me know.
November 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
People ask if I am the main character in my book, Where The Light is Hottest, a lot. Some people don’t believe me when I say no. The truth is: we authors put a lot of ourselves in our characters and books. But there are other things too. What about other writers? Let me know.
Okay, can we take a moment to appreciate this balloon unicorn my daughter got at a party? It’s even a few days old and holding strong. Impressive balloon skills.
October 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Okay, can we take a moment to appreciate this balloon unicorn my daughter got at a party? It’s even a few days old and holding strong. Impressive balloon skills.
Every now and then I think about all of the books I lent to people and never got back. Are you okay? Did they read them? Are they treating you okay?
October 30, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Every now and then I think about all of the books I lent to people and never got back. Are you okay? Did they read them? Are they treating you okay?
2025: the best year for my writing career so far. What a journey, and the year isn’t over yet! Please check out my books, Ember and Where The Light is Hottest. Even better: leave a review if you can. Lots of love and never let go of your dreams. #writinginspiration #authorlife
October 29, 2025 at 6:05 PM
2025: the best year for my writing career so far. What a journey, and the year isn’t over yet! Please check out my books, Ember and Where The Light is Hottest. Even better: leave a review if you can. Lots of love and never let go of your dreams. #writinginspiration #authorlife
If you have a child aged between 0-5 in Wandsworth then please sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library @dollyslibrary It’s a monthly free book for your little one. Brilliant intuitive. My son loves getting his monthly book from Dolly. imaginationlibrary.com/uk/affiliate... @DollyParton
Enhanced Profile - Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
imaginationlibrary.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:07 AM
If you have a child aged between 0-5 in Wandsworth then please sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library @dollyslibrary It’s a monthly free book for your little one. Brilliant intuitive. My son loves getting his monthly book from Dolly. imaginationlibrary.com/uk/affiliate... @DollyParton
Whoever decided that children’s antibiotics should be sugar-free and taste like aniseed, I need to have a word.
October 27, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Whoever decided that children’s antibiotics should be sugar-free and taste like aniseed, I need to have a word.
The thing about having a daughter is that they’re notorious thieves. I spend half my life looking for my belongings. #daughters #worthit
October 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The thing about having a daughter is that they’re notorious thieves. I spend half my life looking for my belongings. #daughters #worthit