Are your 30s too young to change your career? Have you established yourself enough, got enough experience, gained financial security? Is it irresponsible to change your career at this age? What is the right age to change your career? What does the right age even mean?! These are just some of the questions that you might come up against when you are navigating a career change or wondering if you are truly living in alignment with your purpose.

We are traditionally taught that career change is something that happens in our 40s onwards after we have either reached the glass ceiling in our current industry or personal life developments like starting a family or even relocation prompt us to rethink our career path. Usually by this point we have achieved our big career and financial goals. We have climbed the ladder and followed the path.  

So, what happens when career change comes calling in your 30s and how do you navigate it?

Here, Fiona chats to us about rewriting the career narrative for women and letting go of societal expectations…

Fiona was brought up in a very ‘normal’ UK family. “I got good grades in school, went to university, got a good job in London and I started out on my career path. But despite a successful career as a retail buyer managing a category worth £625m, I decided it wasn’t enough, I wasn’t fulfilled, I wanted to do something different, something with more purpose, I wanted to see more, live my life more rather than just being stuck in a city and climbing the ladder.”

Fiona’s career reset happened after a series of panic attacks. She was trying to live a life that she thought she ‘should’ want, climbing the ladder, ticking boxes, showing up to events she didn’t want to be at. Combined with the illness of her boyfriend, she felt like she had lost the very essence of who she was. She was run down, stressed, and burnt out.

“Whilst these fears may manifest themselves in different ways, they come up for my clients too. Fear of failing, fear of letting others down, fear of going back to square one. All holding them back from their potential, a happier future, more purpose, more fulfilment. But it is those who accept that these fears are normal and expected, who are able to accept that they are part of the process so that they can move forward not in spite of them, but with them.”

Fiona is now on a mission to normalise career change at any age and she believes this starts with finding your purpose. 

Too often we put off ‘life’ for the weekend, holidays, and retirement. It’s time to shift the old narrative of 9-5, focus more on creating our own work/life balance and enjoying the process. A life by design, not default.

Fiona Moss

When Fiona was going through her career change in her late 20s she got to the point where she had to make a choice; either change something drastically or nothing will change. She spent a long time trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life, and this wasn’t an easy answer to find but it was only when she really discovered what brought her purpose that everything started to align.

“I got clear on what I wanted in my life, where I wanted to live, how I wanted to spend each day. I knew the detail and by knowing the detail the only thing holding me back from making it happen was me.”

How to Get Started with Creating a Life you Desire

Ask yourself what ‘good’ would look like for you?

The starting point is to look at how your career makes you feel right now and what changes you need to make. Maybe you feel disconnected from your work and your goals don’t excite you anymore. You might be avoiding the reality that it’s time to change or pivot your career. Spend some time thinking about why you aren’t happy in your current career, begin to consider what changes you want to make, visualise it and begin to explore what that would look like and what action you need to take.

These questions will help you to get clarity

What do you truly want from your work? 

What kind of work/life balance do you want?

What do you want more of – time, freedom, money?

How do you want to feel each day?

What is draining your energy right now – what do you need to stop doing? 

What gets you excited / What do you want to do more of?

Research and planning 

Most people look for a new role by first looking at their current skillset and seeing how they can shoehorn those skills into the requirements of the role. 

But this is the wrong way around. I want you to start thinking differently; to think outside the box. From answering the questions above you will have a clearer sense of what you want your next career move to look and feel like, and then, and only then can you decide on what that move looks like. 

Is self-employment an option? 

Don’t rule out the option of becoming self-employed or remote working. Many people get nervous when thinking about being self-employed, simply because they have never done it before. 

Focus less on whether you are self-employed or not and get clear about what you want from your career. If that includes more freedom, autonomy, control, then perhaps self-employment is for you. If you want more security and stability with a guaranteed paycheck every month then perhaps being employed is better for you.

The most important piece of this puzzle is getting clear on what makes you feel happiest and aligns with what you want from your life. It has to be right for you.

What support do you need?

Changing a career can be incredibly daunting. The what, the why, the how – so many questions to ask not just about your career, but yourself and your life. Your identity starts to shift, and this can be difficult.

Having the right support network around you is critical through this process, whether that be friends, family, a coach or mentor – having those around you who support you, guide you, keep you motivated through the change will ultimately ensure you make the right steps for you.

Make an action plan

Clarity is the first step, but nothing happens without action. Creating an action plan and timeline is key to helping you to navigate your next steps.

Be sure to include the milestones you need to meet whether that’s getting qualified in a new industry, leaving your current job, ensuring you have x amount of savings before you make a move.

Having your weekly/monthly tasks planned out will ensure that you don’t hit procrastination mode and end up losing momentum and motivation towards your goal.

How to empower yourself to take the leap! 

• Be vulnerable enough to step into something new – to say I want more 
• Surround yourself with the right people who lift you up and help you to stay motivated 
• Create boundaries with people who are keeping you small
• Challenge the ‘rules’ / ‘stories’ holding you back. 
• Be honest with yourself – call out your own BS
• Remember life is too short to sit in a place of low vibration and be unhappy in your career 

Wiggles the Caterpillar from Sainsbury’s

Price: £7 (Sainsbury’s Local)
Serves 14

First up we have the now identified Wiggles from supermarket giant Sainsbury’s, whose slogan ‘helping everyone eat better’ must have been written without taste tasting their version of Colin, because the reviews came in pretty harsh. Visually, Wiggles is drake, with his sprinkles, smarties and chocolate button eyes giving him a classic appearance that would be hard to critique. Unfortunately upon cutting into Wiggles’ body (sorry buddy) the positives were slightly harder to come by, as visually the cake itself appeared dry even upon first look.

Overall rating: 3/5

Morris the Caterpillar from Morrisons

Price: £6
Serves 12

At first whiff Morris scored highly, with his chocolatey scent and beautiful buttercream swirl positioning him already above Wiggles at first impression. His thicker exterior chocolate made for more of an al dente crunch experience, adding an important textural element that seemed to be important in the overall cake experience.

Overall rating: 1/5 

Colin the Caterpillar from M&S

Price: £7
Serves 10

Overall rating: 4/5

Cecil the Caterpillar from Waitrose

Price: £7
Serves 12

Colin was always going to be a hard act to follow, but would the creme de la creme of supermarkets, Waitrose, be able to knock him from the top spot? Introducing Cecil. Similar to Colin in appearance but visibly wider than the other caterpillars, Cecil is broad in stature and serves some serious face. With a white chocolate drizzle across his exterior shell, plentiful selection of colourful Smarties and endearing icing eyes on his chocolate face, Cecil is a caterpillar we were excited to meet.

Overall rating: 2/5

Clyde the Caterpillar from Asda

Price: £6
Serves 12

Last but not least and in the final opportunity to outdo Colin in the quest for King, please welcome Clyde the caterpillar from ASDA. Perhaps most realistic in his appearance thanks to his green face, Clyde was crumbly to cut and perhaps the messiest of all to serve.

Overall rating: 2/5

So that concludes the battle of the caterpillars, and with one clear winner we can’t help but wonder if we’re surprised by this outcome? If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and may you forever reign strong in the birthday cake kingdom, Colin! 

Is it ever ok to fake an orgasm to save your partner from red-faced disappointment? Mmm well, you see it’s like a bad party. Why’s that, you ask? Because only one person came. It’s time to ask for what you want. A good sex life is one where both parties communicate, feel good, and yeah, in an ideal world, cum!

How about talking to an ex friend’s ex? Is that really breaking girl code or is there a degree of nuance to the rule book… split into pairs and discuss.

What happens when your bridesmaid isn’t happy for you and isn’t willing to go beyond their call of duty for your big day… Is that a sackable offence or is it giving big Bridezilla energy?

We ponder and attempt to answer all of those important life questions and more in this month’s Between You And Me.

Charlotte’s advice

Until you’ve had a proper exclusivity chat it’s going to be hard to gauge whether the other person thinks this is going anywhere, so as with many things opening up communication here is likely going to resolve any confusion and let you know where you stand. It could be the case that if you’re unsure then that tells you all you need to know, but equally maybe the other person is feeling tentative about asking you the same thing! Either way it’s better to know sooner rather than later, and know that you deserve to know where you stand.

If your current casual dating setup is basically just hooking up and the occasional breakfast together the next day, try suggesting more relationship-like activities- maybe a dinner or coffee date- and see how it’s received. You might find actions speak louder than words and resistance to spending quality time together tells you all you need to know.

Darcey’s advice

Now this is a real tricky one, because ‘casual dating’ in my opinion is basically I want to date and sleep with different people and I do not want a relationship. I think if someone is dating to find a partner, then they say that they are just ‘dating’. I wonder if you have spoken at all about what you both want? Because if there’s been no mention of a relationship in the future so far, there’s a chance that whoever you are dating is not wanting a romantic relationship at the moment. If I was you, I would ask them the next time you see them straight up “what are you wanting from this? Are we exclusive or are you wanting to see other people still?” and you’ll have your answer. I’ve had to do this before and although it was a bit savage being told no I just want casual when I had started to get the feels, in the long run, it was way better than wasting any more time on someone who was never going to commit.

Lareese’s advice

Mmm depends how deep they were! I’m a complete wet wipe so I’d probably still send her a message just to say hey, just to let you know we’re talking. If they were together for years, I think there’s an element of gal code there that I personally wouldn’t risk breaking, friends now or not. If they went out for a week in 2017…then absolutely crack on. No message needed! You owe her nada.

Danielle’s advice

I mean morally I don’t think you’re on the hook here! She’s not your friend anymore and they’re not together anymore. If you’re actually interested in him and see something happening then go for it, but know it might cause a bit of shit. If it’s some tempting revenge ploy then give it a miss, the best revenge is your success.

Darcey’s advice

Is it okay? Yes. Should we? No. I totally get not wanting to disappoint your partner or make them feel as though they are not adequate, but the reality is, if they aren’t making you orgasm they are inadequate in that department. Period. Why should you have bad sex just to not hurt someone else’s feelings? You’d both actually have way better sex if you actually were fully enjoying it, because I’m sure that would equally be a turn on for your partner too. Speak up and tell them straight, this sex isn’t working and we need to try something new, show them what you like and I think it will be so beneficial for your sex life in the long-run!

Charlotte’s advice

Realistically most of us have done it at one point or another to save awkwardness, but not only is this detrimental for you and your pleasure in the short and long term, it also contributes to a culture in which communicating our needs in a sexual situation isn’t the norm, and that’s only going to lead to worse sex in the future too.

If this is someone you plan to maintain a relationship with I’d hope you feel comfortable enough to have vulnerable and intimate conversations and maybe can start by giving a little more direction about what really turns you on and feels good. Knowing what your partner likes and being on the same wavelength is one of the most fun things about sleeping with someone consistently, so definitely try and make the most of this and open up communication so that you’re enjoying yourself to the max!

Don’t punish yourself for faking it in the past, but also don’t close yourself off from the idea that pleasure is out of reach.

Have fun!

Lareese’s advice

My heart goes out to you. I’m firmly in the TTC club (approaching IVF imminently) and I find pregnancy announcements tough, especially when my period strikes again. Honestly: protect your peace at all costs. It doesn’t make you a bad person to disengage, so unfollow and mute accounts you might find triggering, distance yourself from anything that makes an already unbearable experience even harder. Turn down baby showers and feel everything you need to feel. On the days that you can find the joy in such announcements, see them as a sign that things do work, there is HOPE, people do have babies and not everyone shares how long it took them to get there. Sending you all the love, from one mama in waiting to another x

Danielle’s advice

I’m not going to sugarcoat this and I appreciate the message is short so we haven’t got a ton of context but your giving me massive bridezilla vibes 😂 Look, I know your wedding is probably the most important thing to you right now, and it takes up so much brain space, and you want it to be the best day of your life. But guess what, to most other people it’s just another wedding and they have other sh*t going on. If you had given a legitimate excuse to get rid of her other than that she’s not “excited” enough then I’d say go for it, but the reason sounds petty maybe you just need to realise her life probably isn’t revolving around your wedding, but to be blunt, get over it ha!

Lareese’s advice

It would be pretty savage to sack your bridesmaid ngl but I guess it depends on what she’s done to make you feel that way. Does she disapprove of the marriage? Or has she got something going on in her personal life that means she can’t be totally invested in yours right now? Whilst it might feel like the easier option to cut ties ahead of your big day (out of sight, out of mind) where does that leave your friendship and is it something you’re prepared to lose? Weigh up the risk, have a conversation with her, find out what’s going on and explain how she’s making you feel rather than making any knee-jerk decisions. Choose the ‘happier’ story – the one that offers you perspective and compassion. Maybe she’s not unhappy for you, maybe she’s just unhappy.

Charlotte’s advice

I’m so unbelievably sorry this happened to you. Firstly I want to remind you that the only person you or anyone else should be judging is the perpetrator because this is 100% a crime, and you can report it to the police by dialling 101. If it’s an emergency or you’re in immediate danger, dial 999.

We wrote a whole post on the Zoella website last year about revenge porn and how to move forward if you have been a victim of this, and I really recommend you read it to understand the ins and outs of the law and also find resources and support that can help you get back on your feet.

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Revenge Porn – Zoella

You’re not alone and I really hope you can find the support and care you deserve!

Whether you’re planning a month long celebration or intend on hosting a more intimate affair, one of the joys of getting married is being surrounded by your loved ones, and in particular the ladies that have seen you through it all. Be it your sisters from another mister, cousins you grew up alongside, university roomie you’ve been joined at the hip with ever since or your soon to be sister-in-law, having a gaggle of gorgeous ladies to hype you up, calm you down and lift your dress up whilst you wee is part of the celebration so many of us wouldn’t be without!

Finding a dress to suit the needs of all the women in your bridal party– now that’s something that doesn’t feel quite so joyful. From tulle to silk, floral to lace, the options are endless when it comes to scouring the web. Luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work for you if you’re currently panic scrolling the web in search of ‘the one’, narrowing down 24 dresses from high-street giants ASOS to investment-worthy Reformation to inspire a dress choice you never fall out of love with. 

Bridal trends in 2022 include sage green everything, romantic silhouettes, linen and cottagecore floral prints- a whimsical dream! Of course wedding styling is the one thing you want to remain most timeless of all, but nodding to these moments will help your day feel modern and of ultimate ‘It Girl’ status. 

Under £80

Under £200

Over £200

Which dress is your favourite?

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

We are all sensory beings with our own set of unique preferences and sensitivities. Some people love the hustle and bustle of city life or a live music venue, whilst others find their sanctuary in the calm of a quiet library or immersed in nature. 

Every event that we experience in our day to day lives has a sensory component. The eight sensory systems (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory, vestibular, proprioception, interoception) are critical for helping us understand our environment. For most of us, that body-brain sensory processing is barely noticeable, meaning we often overlook how uniquely each individual experiences the world around us. 

For those living with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD, formerly called Sensory Integration Disorder), the sensations that come with moving through the world can oftentimes feel so extreme that common sensory experiences may feel overwhelming and even threatening, interfering with their daily life. Wearing certain clothes might be maddening, whilst focusing on one conversation in the office might be impossible due to atypical processing. 

SPD is the term that describes the collection of challenges that can occur when the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes through the senses. When the sensory receptors in our nervous system fail to respond appropriately to the outside world, everyday stimuli such as lights, crowds or fabrics may trigger a sensory overload response. 

Though the condition has gained recognition in recent years, it’s still widely debated and misunderstood as a stand-alone disorder, especially in adults. 

We spoke to Virginia Spielmann, Executive Director at the STAR Institute for SPD, to discuss Sensory Health and the impact sensory differences like SPD can have on our day to day lives. 

What is SPD?

SPD exists when sensory signals are either not detected or don’t get organised into appropriate responses (STAR Sensory Health), often referred to as a “neurological traffic jam” that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. 

How to identify SPD:

Sensory Processing Disorder is far from a one-size-fits-all disorder. It may affect one sense or multiple senses and those living with SPD can experience over-responsiveness (hypersensitivity) or under-responsiveness (hyposensitivity) to stimuli, depending on the form and intensity of SPD. Everyone has different sensory overload preferences. 

“Differences in sensory processing can look like over- or under-responsivity to sensation and you can be over-responsive in one system (like touch) and under-responsive in another (maybe in proprioception, your sense of body position and force).

“It does not end there however, differences in sensory processing might not be anything to do with how your nervous system perceives intensity of sensory experience and might rather be about whether or not your brain and body are able to discern or discriminate the qualities of sensory data. You know you are being touched but by what? And where? How hard? What is the texture of the object etc. etc. Being able to discern the qualities of sensation enables you to develop functional posture and movement in space, to coordinate your eyes in your head, to coordinate the two sides of your body. All the actions you produce in response to events and people are the result of your unique ability to register, discriminate and respond to sensation,” says Virginia. 

Signs & symptoms

“We all process sensation. All the time every day. You have probably noticed that when you are tired noise bothers you more, or maybe smells, or motion. Some people find taking off in a plane unbearable (the noise, the pressure, the smells etc.), other people barely notice what is going on. Some of us are oblivious to the impact sensation has on us, and we may be doing just fine without paying particular attention to this domain of health. For some of us, awareness of our personal sensory processing preferences and differences helps us to simply create a more supportive lifestyle – we might realise we never felt better than when we were horse-riding regularly and add that back into our leisure activities for example. We might purchase noise reduction headphones and suddenly find public transport immensely more comfortable. For some, our differences are a little more complex, they impact our ability to sustain attention, to be calm, alert and available, to problem solve, to function during day-to-day life.”

What are some examples of how these differences can make daily life challenging? 

“Someone who is over-responsive to sound might find that they are often triggered by noises in their environment, people’s phones, chewing and eating noises, typing noises, scraping chairs are all common examples. Continuous background noise is another common one—the air conditioner that everyone else is ignoring is JUST SO IRRITATING and you simply cannot get your work done. You can also be under-responsive to sensation. In this case you might miss a lot of what is going on around you. You might seem oblivious to people touching you lightly, calling your name, or to smells for example. You can be over-responsive in one system and under-responsive in another, which makes it more complicated.  

What about social/emotional challenges?

“Can I just say “it’s complicated”? There are so many ways that differences in sensory

integration can interfere with building social confidence and competence. A primary challenge faced by adults in the western world is how unaccommodating our culture is to sensory differences. Wearing sunglasses inside, or noise reduction headphones is just not normal. We’ve forgotten that normal is just a setting on a washing machine, not a template for how to be a human. Our general resistance to anything different can make living with disordered sensory processing 100 times harder than it needs to be.”

Why do you think SPD is still so overlooked, misinterpreted, and often sadly dismissed? 

As the symptoms of SPD can be quite diverse, it isn’t recognised as an official neurological condition included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5). Consequently, there is no formal criteria for a diagnosis meaning many people living with disordered sensory processing don’t receive the support they require. 

Virginia says, “Honestly, part of the challenge is communication around the issue. We are working really hard on communicating what sensory health really is in a way that is relatable. It is not easy! That is why I did a TEDx talk on sensory health this year, and why we regularly produce sensory stories—beautifully illustrated stories based on real life that describe different facets of the impact sensory differences can have.    

“Another battle has been around recognition of SPD as a stand-alone diagnosis. This has not happened and that means sometimes that people do not get funded support when they should. We are hopeful though that if this domain of health gains the recognition it deserves then the support will begin to be offered appropriately, earlier, more comprehensively, and with best practice (and evidence-based practice) in mind).”

From your experience working with both children and adults with sensory processing differences, what does SPD feel like for them? 

“Again, it’s super complicated and incredibly important to remember how disparate it is from person to person. Some people have such huge body-based responses to visual stimuli and to smell that it makes eating really challenging. Others with more profound differences are constantly having their fight-or-flight response triggered by events around them – events that their peers likely perceive as non-threatening and even trivial. These individuals are constantly bombarded by the sensory world, it’s like a state of permanent threat. 

“For many people, differences in sensory processing also have a plus side. Going outside means being immersed in the natural world and experiencing exuberance and joy within nature that other people have “grown out of” for example.”

Is SPD something experienced all the time or can someone with SPD have periods when it’s more acute? 

“When you are more tired, sick, stressed, your sensory differences will be exacerbated.

You can also have seasons where sensory differences change for the worse or better and it’s not clear what the cause is – it might be hormones, growth spurts (during adolescence for example), changes in the season or other somewhat nebulous influences. In short, yes absolutely, you can have periods of acutely disordered sensory processing, and other times in life where your differences are mostly manageable.”

Whilst many of us might be affected by sensory challenges in our day-to-day lives, at what point should somebody seek support? 

“When our differences in sensory integration and processing interfere with our long-term well-being, that is when we need help. Occupational Therapists with advanced certification in sensory integration are the best resource in this case. You might get an evaluation and discover that there are simple strategies you can employ to improve your enjoyment and productivity in all your activities of daily living. Sometimes changing up your environment and finding activities that nourish your nervous system is enough. Other people will find that they need to stick with the Occupational Therapist for longer so that they can figure out more about what works for their brain and body and try to change how their nervous system reacts to sensation through therapy.

If in doubt, get more information. Your sensory experiences of day-to-day life should support your well-being. If you are working against the environment, struggling with everyday sounds, smells, and other sensations, then you are probably working harder than you need to.

Virginia Spielmann

“The same goes for the sensory-based motor piece. Coordinating your body for movement, even organising food for cooking dinner, or doing other common household tasks should not be overwhelming and disorganising. Sensory based differences are a common contributor to everyday stressors that we think we must live with but really do not have to. Instead, getting the help you need and building a lifestyle that works for you can free up precious energy and resources that allow you to flourish at school, work, and in relationships.”

Is it possible to become overly sensitive to stimuli or is this something that would have existed since childhood and as adults we just find ways to deal with SPD? 

“You can suddenly get sensitive to stimuli but there is usually a cause, perhaps stress, medication, an illness (for example we are hearing this about a lot of covid long haulers), brain injury, chemotherapy, all sorts of things can cause a change in your sensory processing capacity. This is why it’s so important that more people know about it.” 

Treatment: 

There are strategies adults living with SPD can adopt to assist them with everyday life and reduce anxiety around their triggers. From noise cancelling headphones to calming screensavers, targeted exercise and lifestyle practices that best suit your sensory processing needs.  

Virginia says, “Figure out 1) what activities you can do to make your body feel grounded and organised. Is it long hikes, resistance training, knitting with a weighted blanket on your lap, reading while rocking on a swing or in a rocking chair? Figure it out and then plan it in and do it, a lot. 2) change your environment and lifestyle. Should you take the bus instead of driving? Should you go to the supermarket when it’s quiet? When there are less people there or when they are not playing music (many supermarkets have sensory hours now). Wear sunglasses and headphones on the underground if you need to. You do you. Allow yourself the accommodation, practice self-compassion, you will be amazed at the difference it makes.”

In terms of treatment, occupational therapy with a sensory integration approach can help people learn new reactions to stimuli and sensory techniques for home. Strategies can be identified during treatment for avoiding or decreasing the intensity of those relationships and situations that cause failure and lead to anxiety and depression. 

This is usually based on Ayres Sensory Integration and is “provided by an Occupational Therapist with advanced certification (this should be about one year of post professional training, not a weekend course),” says Virginia. 

Can SPD become more manageable over time? 

“It’s important to know though that even with all that work we are not talking about a ‘cure’. Most individuals with disordered sensory processing will need to return to therapy at some stage or another, or will need to build a sensory lifestyle that replaces therapy and continuously nourishes their nervous system with the necessary inputs.”

What is the association with SPD and ADHD, anxiety disorders and OCD? Is it a stand-alone disorder or is SPD related to other developmental disorders? 

“Disordered sensory processing is known to co-occur in autism, adhd, OCD, anxiety, schizophrenia, and other learning differences and genetic differences (like Fragile X syndrome). It is also known to be present in people with no other diagnosis, although it has not yet been recognised as a standalone diagnosis.”

Is sensory overload considered the same as SPD, how are the two related? 

“Sensory overload can happen to anyone thanks to the world we live in. The parade at the theme park, the opening ceremony at a huge event, there are lots of opportunities for sensory overwhelm. Those with sensory sensitivities or who have trouble making sense of sensation, are simply more likely to experience overwhelm more often.”  

How does STAR Institute For Sensory Processing work with children and adults with SPD – what’s your mission? 

“We want to see a world where sensory heath is widely understood, talked about over coffee, dinner, at the doctor’s office, during teacher training. Our vision is Sensory Health and Wellness for the State, the Nation, and the World. At STAR we do this in three ways – through our therapy centre where we are continuously refining and pioneering best practice, through research investigating the effectiveness of therapeutic supports for different populations and also the neurology behind sensory processing, and through education where we share what we have learned with parents and professionals. These three departments work in unity and make STAR Institute a global centre of excellence for sensory health.”

What can be done to drive awareness and ensure those living with SPD get the support they need? 

“Learn about your own sensory preferences and strengths. Follow social media accounts like STAR Institute and the UK based Sensory Integration Network. Read and share the sensory stories and the TEDx talk.”

Something you’d like everyone to know about SPD… 

“If we think about sensory health as a domain of wellness, everyone will benefit. Everyone in the workplace, the family, the community. Perhaps this will also help us cultivate greater compassion for one another and accept and celebrate differences and the value of diversity.”

What’s for dinner? The age old question can get seriously tiresome by the time hump day rolls around, as you find yourself wondering if it’s acceptable to order just *one* more Deliveroo this month. Did anyone else not realise meal planning would be such an integral part of adulthood? We feel cheated.

If your recipe repertoire needs seriously spicing up, look no further than the foodie A-listers who love a home cooked meal as much as the rest of us. From treasures like Stanley Tucci and his traditional Italian bolognese, to Taylor Swift’s ultimate chicken fajitas, it turns out even those we look up to most are partial to a night on the sofa with a meal that screams comfort in a bowl. 

So whilst we may not be able to emulate much else when it comes to that celeb lifestyle, at the very least we can eat like one. 

Gigi Hadid’s Spicy Vodka Pasta

The iconic, the one and only, perhaps one of the most well-known celeb recipes of all time, we give you: Gigi Hadid’s vodka pasta. The recipe, which is in fact an Italian classic, has done its rounds on the Internet since Gigi first professed her love for the dish, gaining even more popularity after she posted a story cooking the moreish meal in the lockdown (shivers) of 2020. With its minimal list of ingredients and foolproof method, this dish is one even the most inexperienced of cooks can nail, making it perfect for nights when inspiration is seriously lacking or weekends with the girls when a crowd pleasing choice is the top priority. Bon appetite! 

Eva Longoria’s Chunky Guacamole

Is there anything better than chips, guac and a margarita to wash it all down with? We think not. The margarita may be optional, but Eva Longoria’s guacamole recipe is one you don’t want to sleep on. The actress shared the recipe in her cookbook Eva’s Kitchen, and you best believe there’s a good reason why this guacamole is different from the rest! The trick? Lemon juice instead of lime, plus lots of salt. “I basically make a salty lemonade for the avocado and other ingredients to swim in,” she writes, also preferring the kick of serrano chilli peppers to jalapenos, and keeping the avocado diced instead of mashed. “Ultimately, there are few places I’d rather be than my kitchen”, the Desperate Housewives actress shared, and with this recipe in her repertoire we’re desperate for an invite to dinner at Eva’s!

Stanley Tucci’s Traditional Bolognese 

The man, the myth, the legend- we’re truly obsessed with all things Stanley Tucci and are frankly of the opinion that everything he touches turns to gold- including his cooking. The Devil Wears Prada, Hunger Games and Supernova star is known not only for his iconic on-screen roles but also for his love for traditional Italian food inspired by generations of Tuccis before him, and the effortless way in which food brings together those he loves most. His cookbooks including The Tucci Table, Taste and The Tucci Cookbook include uncomplicated Italian staples like basil pesto, potato gnocchi, and linguine with clam sauce, but perhaps one of his most well-loved is his classic bolognese- the true definition of a crowd-pleaser and one that already has our mouths watering. 

Antoni Porowski’s Tomato, Basil and Melty Mozzarella Baked Rice.

If you’re seeking comfort in a bowl, look no further than Queer Eye chef and all round smouldering icon Antoni Porowski’s Tomato, Basil and Melty Mozzarella Baked Rice. This big, bold and ultra cheesy dish is made with rice and moulded around a filling of a rich tomato-basil sauce. It’s baked together in a bundt pan making it perfect for nights when you’re hosting (because that’s a thing again now) and need a crowd-pleaser dish you can rely on to wow. Who doesn’t love the sound of garlicky, cheesy rice? Literal *chef’s kiss*!

Find the recipe and other delicious dishes in Antoni’s cookbook Antoni in the Kitchen!

Oprah Winfrey’s Delicious Devilled Eggs

Hosting a Spring soiree? Oprah has your back with this simple yet impressive Devilled Eggs recipe. Considered a staple of American entertaining, there are countless variations of this traditional recipe but none we trust more than that of Oprah. Your future buffets, picnics and picky lunches will not be complete without them! Top tip: an easy way to make easy-to-peel hard boiled eggs is not to boil them, but to steam them.The hot steam penetrates the porous shell of the eggs to create just enough separation between the shells and the eggs to make them easy to peel. You can steam eggs in the same pan you would use to boil them, you just use much less water and a few more minutes. Perfecto!

Taylor Swift’s Favourite Chicken Fajitas with Molé Sauce

In 2019, the year in which she turned 30 (significantly more fun than her 21st birthday bash), our holy saviour Taylor Swift gave an interview to Elle magazine sharing 30 lessons she learned before turning 30- lesson 10 of which included her favourite dinner party recipes: 

“I’ve always cooked a LOT, but I found three recipes I know I’ll be making at dinner parties for life: Ina Garten’s Real Meatballs and Spaghetti (I just use packaged bread crumbs and only ground beef for meat), Nigella Lawson’s Mughlai Chicken, and Jamie Oliver’s Chicken Fajitas with Molé Sauce,” says Taylor. We consider Fajita Fridays a weekly rite of passage, and will be trying out Jamie’s recipe for ourselves at the earliest opportunity. Who’s free this Friday?

Lizzo’s Vegan ‘Chicken’ Alfredo

Is there anything Lizzo can’t do? Singer, rapper, dancer, shapewear designer and flautist (yes you read that correctly), the Good As Hell star can often be found virtually welcoming fans into her kitchen and cooking up a vegan storm via her very-candid-for-an-a-list-celebrity TikTok account. Captioned “I CAN COOK ANYTHING YALL— try me 😤.. chicken Alfredo first time making it vegan and 🛎🛎🛎”- Lizzo whipped up an easy yet mouthwatering vegan chicken alfredo which acts as further proof that anything you can make, Lizzo can make vegan. The creamy pasta dish is a one-pot-wonder, and is perfect for the days when you want a dinner you know will deliver on comfort and flavour, and leave you satisfied to the max. Wash down with a glass of white and Cuz I Love You in the background. 

Watch Lizzo’s TikTok to get an idea of quantities and alter depending on how many you’re cooking for! 

Sandra Oh’s Spatchcocked Chicken, Roasted Asparagus and Pasta

Grey’s Anatomy and Killing Eve icon Sandra Oh is a true foodie through and through, loving the ritual of poring over a morning coffee and simple avocado toast as much as the excitement of a spellbinding script landing on her desk. “My favourite foods? Korean (but that’s a given) Spanish and Japanese are my faves.” said Sandra. “My dream dinner would be something simple – a spatchcocked chicken, roasted asparagus and zucchini with a side of pasta and a big fat glass of wine”. FYI: spatchcocking,also known as butterflying, is when a chicken’s backbone is removed so that it lays flat, allowing it to cook faster and often tasting more tender in the end! 

If you fancy taking inspiration from the queen of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital herself, look no further for a spatchcocked chicken recipe that is flavourful, juicy and guaranteed to become a staple within your monthly meal rotations. Oh and lastly- Sandra’s dream dinner party guests?  “Michelle Obama – no need to explain, Ghengis Khan – to talk about power, the Buddha – to help understand impermanence, Ted & Matt – my friends who are just the best at dinner parties because they’re deep conversationalists.” Can we join?

Serena Williams’ Vegan Walnut ‘Meat’ Tacos

Queen of the court Serena Williams might not be strictly plant-based 100% of the time, but her passion for vegan food as part of her healthy lifestyle regime helps her to stay at the top of her game in her professional world and feeling her best during her downtime. “My philosophy is eat to live. Don’t live to eat,” she told Women’s Health in August 2021. “I want to have a healthy lifestyle and, so you know, [I’m eating] a lot of greens and mostly plant-based lately, just super healthy stuff.”

One recipe that’s become a staple in her diet is walnut ‘meat’ tacos made from nuts mixed with a seasoning blend including cumin, paprika, and more- a recipe that comes courtesy of plant-based chef Lauren Von der Pool who cooked for the Williams sisters for several years. Pop into a soft taco shell and boom- mid-week dinner, completed it. The recipe is somewhat elusive online, but you can watch Lauren create her Grand Slammin’ Tacos on YouTube, or purchase her book Eat Yourself Sexy for a full breakdown of all the ingredient quantities!

Tom Holland’s Pasta Mug Rigatoni 

British sweetheart and man behind the most slick Spiderman moves in the business, Tom Holland might be one of the biggest names in Hollywood, but his fave meal is likely a lot more low-key than most celebrity dinners. Enter: pasta in a mug.

“I do this thing I love off Instagram,” Tom told LA restaurant Simone’s director Joe Russo and chef Jessica Largey, “You get a mug, and you put cheese in the bottom of the mug, a bit of basil, then tomato sauce. And then you put rigatoni there — you put it in circles. Then you put the cheese on top. Then you put a plate on, flip it that way, and bake it.It’s like a pasta pie,” he added. “It’s really good, and it’s super easy to do. And it looks way more impressive than it actually is. Yeah, that’s my go-to.” If that doesn’t sound delicious we don’t know what does! 

Don’t judge a book by its cover, or so the adage goes but whilst we try not to judge, there’s always room to admire and appreciate art. 

Cover trends exist because readers do consider the cover before diving into the blurb, particularly now we’re sharing our reviews and latest reads on social media. 

With the arrival of BookTok and Bookstagram, the allure of an aesthetic cover is as much part of the reading experience as the story it holds, and with more people going online to get their book fix, it’s never been more essential for the cover to be as hooky as the synopsis. 

If you’re a sucker for a pretty cover, let this be a cautionary tale for your tbr stack because that teetering pile is about to kiss the ceiling. 

From soft sages and Bottega greens to playful graphic designs and typefaces you can’t ignore, here’s a peek at the hot girl books with beautiful book covers to match. 

Ladies and gentlemen: *them*

1. Black Swans by Eve Babitz

Pink and green should always be seen. As a team of pink and green stans, this book cover will not be wasted on us. 

A collection of nine autobiographical short stories that look back on LA through the 80s and early 90s, Babitz explores decades of dreams, drink, and stoned youth turning Republican. She writes about the Rodeo Gardens, about AIDS, about learning to tango, about the Hollywood Cemetery, about the self-enchanted city, and, most important, about the envy and jealousy underneath it all.

Hot, hazy and filled to the brim with the kind of Hollywood nostalgia Evelyn Hugo would be proud of – no one does hot girl reading material like Babitz. 

Shop it here!

2. The Woman Destroyed by Simone de Beauvoir 

“My life was hurrying, racing tragically toward its end. And yet at the same time it was dripping so slowly, so very slowly now, hour by hour, minute by minute. One always has to wait until the sugar melts, the memory dies, the wound scars over, the sun sets, the unhappiness lifts and fades away.” 

First published in 1967, The Woman Destroyed is a collection of three stories about three women in crisis, dealing with heartbreak and deception in the city of love and trying to rebuild their lives. Described as a ‘remarkable feat of empathy’, Beauvoir’s words are as exquisite as its green-lipped cover. 

Shop it here!

3. Milk Fed by Melissa Broder 

Another wonderfully weird story from the Women’s Prize longlisted author of The Pisces, Milk Fed is at once a hilarious and deeply compelling novel, combining a wildly erotic love story with a sharp-edged excavation of food, sex and God. What a trio of desserts. 

In her study of female appetite through the lens of physical hunger, sexual desire and spiritual longing, Broder creates a  strange and sensual tale that’s hard to put down. 

Melissa Broder isn’t for everyone but she’s firmly on our list of authors we’d want round our dinner table, that’s for sure. 

Shop it here!

4. Pure Colour by Sheila Heti 

Once upon a time green was a no-go in the cover design world but today, bookshops tell a very different story. 

Minimalist, meditative and effortlessly beautiful, Pure Colour is a treat for the eyes and the soul – ‘an atlas of feeling’ that speaks directly to the power of storytelling and a novel that’s sure to please the aesthetes among us, too. 

Shop it here!

5. Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados 

Happy Hour is an intoxicating debut novel about two young girls partying their lives away for one balmy summer in New York. If the cover and aptly named title tells us anything, it’s set to be the bookish equivalent of an aperitif. A toast to 5* reads!

Shop it here!

6. The Houseguest: And Other Stories by Amparo Dávila

‘Like Poe for the New Millennium’ The Houseguest: And Other Stories is pretty on the outside but just as striking on the inside. 

This collection of 12 short stories provides the perfect lunchtime / holiday read you can pick up and put down at your leisure, albeit whilst checking over your shoulder at regular intervals, just in case. 

With acute psychological insight, Davila’s stories are unsettling, macabre and wondrously creepy, with a pinch of supernatural fantasy. Feel free to pull up a chair but won’t be sitting comfortably!

Shop it here!

7. No Modernism Without Lesbianism by Diana Souhami

Celebrating the women who made a lasting impact on transforming literature and art in the early twentieth century, No Modernism Without Lesbians is an incredibly entertaining, heady slice of cultural history that looks beyond the canon. 

Sylvia Beach, Bryher, Natalie Barney, and Gertrude Stein – a trailblazing publisher; a patron of artists; a society hostess; a groundbreaking writer. They were all women who loved women. They rejected the patriarchy and made lives of their own – forming a community around them in Paris.

Shop it here!

8. I Love Dick by Chris Kraus

Whilst the cover had us at dick (naturally), that is merely the beginning of Kraus’ triumph. I Love Dick is an essential and influential feminist text and one of the most important ‘novels’ (it’s part fiction, part essay, part memoir) of our time. *Reads in the coffee shop just to be insufferable* 

Shop it here!

9. Normal People by Sally Rooney

You would’ve had to have been living cooped up in a sardine tin to miss the hold this book had (read: still has) on the world. Bleak and beautiful in equal measure, Normal People is about two flawed and frustrated characters who develop a relationship that transcends the norm. They struggle together and they struggle apart and when they leave you, you’ll struggle too. 

Sidenote: No wonder there’s a whole TikTok trend dedicated to things you probably didn’t notice on book covers because the sardine tin with Connell and Marianne cuddled up inside is a serendipitous surprise. 

Shop it here!

10. Pond by Claire Louise Bennett 

Exquisitely written and deceptively slender, this daring debut of short stories narrated by a rural recluse sparkles with one-liners and hidden depth. 

From odes to tomato puree and rambling streams of consciousness on the minutiae of everyday life with a tongue in cheek sense of humour, Bennett reimagines what the short story can do. Shimmering and unusual, Pond demands to be devoured in a single sitting. Dive in!

Shop it here!

11. Circe by Madeline Miller

“But in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth. Such a constellation was he to me.”

Witch. Myth. Mortal. Outcast. Lover. Destroyer. Survivor – Circe deserves nothing less than a mesmerising copper cover. 

Shop it here!

13. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 

Here’s one to add to your ever-growing collection of Puffin in Bloom editions, featuring beautiful cover art by Anna Bond, the artist behind renowned stationery brand Rifle Paper Co.

 A cottagecore dream before our eyes. 

Anne, an eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm and proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone around her.

Shop it here!

14. The Betrayals by Bridget Collins

If you loved The Binding, this dystopian romance is a must-read. With her captivating world-building and next-level imagination, Bridget Collins delivers another irresistible novel about a mysterious game and the scholars who study it…

Lose yourself in its magical pages. Time? We don’t know her.

Shop it here!

15. Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors 

Sally Rooney fans, prepare to swoon over Coco Mellors’ sharp and tender debut.  

Set in a richly evocative New York awash with bohemian glamour, Mellors’ wondrously human debut details the temporary magic and long-term messiness of a spontaneous relationship between a beautiful young artist and a wealthy older man.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein is an astounding and painfully relatable debut novel about the spontaneous decisions that shape our entire lives and those imperfect relationships born of unexpectedly perfect evenings.

Everyone will be talking (and posting) about this book. 

Shop it here!

16. Ghosts by Dolly Alderton 

Bury us in pink and green book jackets. 

Dolly Alderton’s sharp-eyed debut novel captures the essence of thirty-something life as only Dolly can, with her signature quick-wit, warmth and accuracy. 

Shop it here!

17. The Red of My Blood by Clover Stroud 

‘Can death bring something good to my life?’

A few weeks before Christmas, Clover’s sister died of breast cancer, aged forty-six. Just days before, she had been given years to live. Her sudden death split Clover’s life apart. The Red of My Blood charts Clover’s fearless passage through the first year after her sister’s death. 

The Red of My Blood is about what life feels like when death interrupts it, and about bearing the unbearable and describing an experience that seems beyond words. Lyrical and hopeful, it is also about the magical way in which death and life exist so vividly beside one another, and the wonder of being human.

Shop it here!

18. The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides 

The cover is undeniably stunning but the real beauty of this book comes from reading it. 

This is the story of the five Lisbon sisters – beautiful, eccentric and obsessively watched by the entire neighbourhood. The boys that once loved them from afar are now grown men, determined to understand a tragedy that has defied explanation. The question persists – why did all five of the Lisbon girls take their own lives?

This lyrical and timeless tale of sex and suicide evokes the emotions of youth with haunting sensitivity and dark humour and creates a coming-of-age story unlike any of our time.

Shop it here!

Although the tepid temperatures of Spring thus far might not feel like it, bare leg, t-shirt and bikini season are on their way, and things are about to get a lot more skimpy as we manifest a long, hot summer of sun. If you’re seeking a way to add a little bit of *spice* to your look in 2022 (and forever, actually), a tiny tattoo might be just the fresh addition you’re after to switch things up in a subtle yet adorable way, whether your inking has a deeper, personal meaning or simply looks cute AF.

The benefit of such small designs means they’re perfect for tattoo newbies worried about commitment, or for those with jobs that mean larger, more visible designs are a no, no, and can be placed in more hideable areas such as collarbones, hips, and the inside of your arm for a hint of body art not visible to everyone. Everyone from Bella Hadid, Vanessa Hudgens, Emma Chamberlain and Kaia Gerber are fans of the humble tiny tattoo, and combined with the scrapbook tattoo trend we saw emerge last year, we have the perfect style formula to pop your ink cherry. Keep scrolling for 50 tiny tattoos to inspire your summer season inking…                                            

For ocean addicts, everywhere. 

Via Zaya

Because more is MORE.

Via cocoa._.jam

It’s all in the details. 

Via joannamroman

Besties, add this to your saved folder, stat.

Via byyclouds

A star is born and that star is you. 

Via kirkbudden

Manifesting a life of no worries, always. 

Via Zaya

Because we’re entering ‘strawberries on a summer evening’ season.

Via geehawkestattoo

This one must always be accompanied by an IRL margarita at every given opportunity- sorry we don’t make the rules.

Via pokedbylord

Because, *sparkles*.

Via geehawkestattoo

Fierce AF meets cute AF- get you a tattoo that can do both.  

Via charlottemallorytattoos

*Alexa, play Cherry by Harry Styles*

Via chop_stick_n_poke

MCR dwellers, this one’s for you. Or Bridgerton fans. 

Via sonia.pinkdust

But it would’ve been fun, if you would’ve been the one (iykyk).

Via alessia.amsterdam.ttt

Subtle declarations of love. That’s amore!

Via alessia.amsterdam.ttt

When cottagecore gets celestial. 

Via hnnhtattoo

It’s giving, Comme Des Garcons.

Via yiiztattoo

For those for whom 2022 is their year of metamorphosis. 

Via lostfoxtattoo

Tiny tattoos, big on impact. 

Via lostfoxtattoo

Flowers for Spring? Always groundbreaking!

Via chinadollpokes

For seaside dwellers or those who always hold a grudge, you decide.

Via titsfortatt

A smiley bum. We have to stan. 

Via titsfortatt

*Screams*: I REMEMBER IT ALLLL TOO WELL. 

Via ddingdong_tat2

Angel numbers, only. 

Via mrs.tattoo_

Red is the new black.

Via littlejake_tattoo

Move over twin flames, you’ve got competition. 

Via purotattoostudio

Handpoked, completed it.

Via pokeapolis

POV: Being fashionably late is your brand.

Via boomzodat

Divine energy incoming. 

Via veight.tattoo

Fine lines and freckles.

Via veight.tattoo

A mini masterpiece on the skin.

Via mnsantanatattoo

It must be love, love, love.

Via nalbynabei

Hot as hell.  

Via wittybutton_tattoo

Shoot for the moon.

Via sarakori

For those on their self growth journey, we see you.

Via mnsantanatattoo

How many times can we mention Taylor Swift in one post? (Spoiler: the limit does not exist)

Via joannamroman

It’s giving subtle yeehaw.

Via m3.ink

For the lovers (or the cardiac surgeons).

Via unotattoonyc

Tinkerbell, who?

Via _____tukoi_____

Shell yeah!

Via mariasousatattoo

For the person that’s the burger to your fries. A true love story. 

Via nanatzahor

A moment please for the serendipitous joys that deserve appreciation. 

Via mariasousatattoo

For the furry friends that mean everything. 

Via nanatzahor

It’s giving Peach the starfish vibes and we’re not mad about it.

Via wildflowers.tattoo

Your power is in your vulnerability!

Via tivas

For the sentimental numbers you never want to forget.

Via julesdry

Wine moms, we see you.

Via clealtattoo

Making waves in white ink.

Via tattooer_jina

One for the Scorpio babies. 

Via joannamroman

Harry Potter fans, unite.  

Via max.solarink

For fans of Saoirse Ronan or anyone who would rather be outside. 

Via melatatt

Abigail Bergstrom is a literary agent, author and publishing consultant. She has worked in publishing for over a decade and is an expert in navigating the cross-section between digital and print, speaking at international conferences on the subject. 

She’s edited some of Britain’s most prominent feminist voices, was nominated for Literary Agent of the Year in 2020 and was listed in The Bookseller 150 for shepherding over thirty titles onto bestseller lists and building some of today’s biggest book brands. 

In short, dear reader, she’s one multi-hyphenate lady. Not only does she have a wealth of knowledge from the publishing field thanks to her time at Gleam Titles and heading up her own publishing consultancy Bergstrom Studio, she also knows a thing or two about what it takes to become an author, having recently published her first novel What A Shame. 

We caught up with Abi to talk all things book-writing and publishing. From this year’s book tropes and trends to cooking up her very own bestseller, how to find the right agent for you and the recipe for getting that elusive book deal, if you want to break into the book industry and see your novel gracing the shelves of your local Waterstones, Abi is on hand to offer some invaluable advice on how to get your voice heard. 

Congratulations on your debut novel What A Shame – this month’s Zoella book club read! How does it feel to be a published author after working on the other side of the industry as a literary agent, editor and publishing consultant?

It feels exciting and I’ve found myself in quite a unique position now having a 360 experience of the publishing process as agent, editor and published author. I think each perspective has made me better at my job and brings a slightly more informed lens to the work I do in these varying capacities. But as a writer, you work on a book for such a long time and in such solitude that it’s amazing to finally have people reading and contacting me about What a Shame.

You picked a cracking title for your novel. What’s the process for deciding on a title and is it always the author who gets the final say?

The title came last and it was called many other things before What a Shame. I love this title but I can’t take the credit, my brilliant friend who happens to be a publisher came up with it, Romilly Morgan. She was the first person who read the book and guided me through the angst that comes with putting your work out into the world, alongside my agent and editor. I think the best titles always come through collaboration but they are often hard won and take time to settle on. 

Shame is at the heart of your novel – what drew you to writing about that? 

We were interested to learn that your book was first submitted under a pseudonym. What was your thinking behind that and why did you choose to send it off without your real name at the top of the manuscript?

Well, I’ve worked in the industry for over a decade and I know all of the editors who commission fiction across the UK’s leading publishing houses – most of them very well. So I suppose it came down to three things, (i) I wanted someone to commission the book based on the writing and the story only, and not off the back of who I was. (ii) I wanted to be able to look aspiring authors in the face who I consult for and to be able to tell them that I’ve done it myself, I’ve been through the process of securing an agent and getting a publisher on board in the exact way they need to, and that I didn’t take any shortcuts. (iii) And finally, I suppose there was an element of protection baked into it, if nobody wanted the book I wouldn’t feel exposed. 

So, it’s the million-dollar question but: What makes for a great book and what makes a book publishable? 

If there was a straightforward answer to that, I’d have bottled it up and sold it already. There isn’t one. Books are great for so many reasons – the list of what makes them brilliant, unending. But some books that aren’t anything special get published and have a huge marketing spend behind them and do okay.

In your experience, what are some of the most common reasons books get rejected? 

In terms of publisher feedback, it usually falls into one of two categories: it’s been done or we already have something on our list that’s very similar that we’re about to publish. Or, it hasn’t been done and there isn’t really anything in the market to compare it to, i.e. a framework for publisher’s sales teams can place around a text to help it flourish in the market. There is a sweet spot when it comes to trends, genre and reader behaviours. Success in this business is so much about timing. 

What is the role of a literary agent and does everyone need one? What are the benefits of taking that route?

I’m a literary agent and I have one, so I think that speaks volumes and tells you all you need to know. A literary agent works with a writer from initial ideation to IP development through to negotiating the deal and managing all ancillary rights surrounding a book (podcast, TV/FILM, merch etc.) and they help a writer manage the process from acquisition through to publication. I think an agent’s level of market knowledge and expertise is invaluable to the process of publishing a book.  

How do you make the sales pitch stand out from the crowd? What are you looking for when you get unsolicited submissions?

A new voice, someone saying something different, or approaching a subject matter in a way I’ve not seen or read before. I like theory and concepts enmeshed in personal writing. Bright ideas and bold new voices. I think a bridge helps. If two creative projects merged to form your book idea and its style of writing or content, what would those two projects be? The answer could consist of other books, authors or even a TV show of a moment in history. In terms of fiction, I like Irish writers such as Rooney, Megan Nolan and Naoise Dolan but would love to see those kinds of stories coming from writers in different parts of the UK with their slightly different tone and take – Wales, Scotland, Northern etc. 

What’s big in the book space right now? What are publishers buying and buzzing about?

Publishers seem to be looking for ‘joy’. After a pandemic and now facing a horrific war between Russia and Ukraine, readers are in search of some respite. It’s a good time for books when we’re all wanting to escape our realities and the fickleness of social media. 

How important is the role of social media in audience-building and carving a space for your voice and presence as an aspiring author?

It’s hugely important in the sense that publishers care more and more about platforms and communities. I don’t think the numbers need to be as big as people assume, but showing that you’re already having a conversation or that you’re creating your own network in your own small corner of the internet speaks volumes. I think publishers are commissioning less off the back of social media handles and numbers, and are looking more at engagement, viewing social media as more of a launchpad for smart marketing. 

What advice do you have for people who haven’t managed to find an agent yet?

Don’t give up!

I sent my book to many agents and only one came back, but she read it overnight and wanted a call the very next day. It’s an incredibly competitive space, it’s just about finding that one person who has a vision for your book. 

Abi Bergstrom

How much of the writing would an agent/publisher need to see or does it vary depending on the publisher/genre you’re writing in? Would you need to have a complete manuscript before you start pitching? 

If you’re writing a novel, you need a finished manuscript whereas if you’re writing non-fiction you only need a proposal to get your book commissioned or picked up. Bergstrom Studio offers a lot more information and services about this in terms of how to get started. 

How long can it take from signing a book deal to getting published? 

It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years – no two books share the same journey to publication. I wrote around 11 or 12 drafts of my novel. People think writing a book is hard because you’re writing an ENTIRE book. But actually, it’s hard because you’re needing to write 7 or 8 versions of that book, at least. 

How can emerging authors learn to handle rejection letters? 

I’ve never been to my book club and had every person in the room love the same book – you’re never going to be EVERYONE’S cup of cocoa, it’s about finding that ONE person who gets it. Look at your favourite writer’s Goodreads page and see the varied feedback even the most accomplished writers get. Just because someone rejects or doesn’t like your book doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it and think it’s one of the best things they’ve read. 

What did your writing routine or rituals look like when you were penning What A Shame?

I was running a literary agency at the time and representing nearly 50 authors internationally, so I only had the weekends to write. My advice would be start small, start slow. Carve out a few hours for yourself where you can and don’t put too much pressure on that time. Just write. Just enjoy it. Sooner or later you’ll be surprised by how many words are on the page and by the story that’s starting to form. 

What has making the leap from agent to author taught you? Was there anything about the process of writing that surprised you? 

That it’s addictive, writing a book did one thing to me: it made me want to write more. 

Sometimes the beauty of a series you love being somewhat underappreciated is part of its charm- you get to keep its characters and the intricacies of its world all to yourself, whilst other times you wish it was government enforced homework for everyone to watch your beloved show from start to finish. Today we’re exploring 10 of the most underrated but wonderful in every way Netflix shows that somehow manage to slip under the radar, despite their powerful, beautiful, intriguing and moving storytelling. The only decision left to make is which to add to your list first…

1. ‘Love’

For those who will die on the hill that romcoms are the most elite genre of all, Love was made for you. This Netflix comedy follows 30-somethings Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and Gus (Paul Rust), whose complicated on-again, off-again romance is as endearing as it is frustrating. The show was inspired by the relationship of its creators Lesley Arfin and Paul Rust, who then worked with Judd Apatow- director, comedian, producer and father of ‘it’ girls Maude and Iris Apatow- to bring the show to life.  

Covering subjects like addiction, complicated relationships in your 30s and with a heavy dose of dry humour, the show follows nerdy, high school teacher Gus- an aspiring screenwriter whose career is yet to get off the ground- and cool girl radio producer, Mickey, who won’t let the party life go, despite her friends one by one settling down. Love navigates the highs and sometimes serious lows of modern relationships, and what it means to grow, exist and love unconditionally together. Love reminds you that the magical age of ‘figuring things out’ you seek in your twenties never really comes, but that the love and lessons along the way are maybe what it’s actually all about.

2. Grace and Frankie

If you’re seeking out the dictionary definition of wholesome, look no further. Starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as Grace Hanson and Frankie Bergstein, the series follows two unlikely friends who are brought together after their husbands announce they are in love with each other and plan to get married. Different in just about every way possible, the two women are forced into friendship, cohabitation and each other’s support system, as they warily navigate the next chapter of their lives. Funny, thought provoking and authentic, Grace and Frankie offers a realistic look at the woes and wonders of life for older women, and tackles issues such as sexuality, ageism, feminism, motherhood, gender equality, relationships, racism, and more with ease. 

If you loved This Is Us, Modern Family and The Good Place, look no further for your next binge worthy watch. 

3. Dark

Changing the pace next, Dark was first released in 2017 and its mysterious plot follows the story of two missing children, setting four families on a frantic hunt for answers as they unearth a shocking mystery that spans three generations. Set in a small German town, the series follows a long list of characters and their family history, as the storyline flits back and forth in time exploring their complex relationships and the dark twists that unite and divide them. Dark is the first German original series produced for Netflix, and has been compared to Stranger Things, Twin Peaks, The Killing, The Missing–  add it to your list asap if you’re a fan of plots that keep you guessing and a sprinkle of 1980s nostalgia. Captivating, haunting and intriguing at every turn, prepare to cancel your weekend plans for the foreseeable. 

4. Mindhunter

Murder just got more thrilling. In the late 1970s, two FBI agents are on a mission to expand criminal science by delving into the psychology of murder, and end up uneasily close to all-too-real monsters.The series is based on the book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, written by retired FBI agent John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, and follows agents Bill Tench and Holden Ford as they interview imprisoned serial killers in the early days of behavioural science studies. Chilling, unnerving and at times frustrating, the series explores the close knit relationship of Bill and Holden and the lengths they are pushed to in the search of covering uncharted ground in criminal psychology. 

From its soundtrack to production, acting to music direction, Mindhunter is a mesmerising watch across its 2 series and 19 episodes. Here’s hoping the season 3 rumours are true!

5. Interior Design Masters

Anyone else missing Saturday mornings of procrastinating maths homework by watching 60 Minute Makeover on the sofa? Us too. Say hello to your new obsession: Interior Design Masters. The show follows aspiring interior designers challenged with transforming a variety of spaces from dowdy to delightful as they battle it out for a life-changing contract with a top London hotel. Hosted by national treasure Alan Carr, and judged by former Elle Decoration editor-in-chief Michelle Ogundehin, the pair are joined by a rotating panel of guest judges such as interior stylist Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, retail expert Mary Portas and home designer Jade Jagger. Ultimate easy watching, carefree Saturday mornings are about to be revived. 

6. Locke and Key

There’s horror, there’s fantasy, and then there’s Locke and Key. After their dad’s murder, three siblings move with their mum to his ancestral estate, soon discovering a set of magical keys that unlock powers, secrets and a whole load of ancestoral history- and not always of the good kind. The story, which was originally published in the form of a comic (written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez), has all the elements of a hit in the age of shows such as Stranger Things, with the perfect amount of scares, chilling intrigue and tension to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. The relationship of siblings Tyler, Kinsey and Bode is one viewers become invested in from the offset, and the normalcy of aspects of their lives including hockey practice and love triangles paired with the mysterious twists they are forced to encounter is a dynamic guaranteed to keep you curious. 

7. Maniac

With reviews donning it “the most original show ever”, Maniac is not one to miss from your ‘to-watch’ list if psychological comedies are your thing. The 10-episode series stars Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Justin Theroux and follows two strangers who connect during a mind-bending pharmaceutical trial set in a retro-future New York City. Annie Landsberg (Emma Stone) has borderline personality disorder and dwells unhealthily on her relationships, whilst Owen Milgrim (Jonah Hill) is the son of a wealthy family whose schizophrenia diagnosis leaves him feeling like the black sheep. 

Entertaining, smart and one that will stick with you for good, Maniac’s sometimes jarring mix of comedy juxtaposes the seriousness that comes with mental illness as the common thread that unites us.

8. The Big Flower Fight

Florals for Spring? Groundbreaking. No but seriously, The Big Flower Fight might not sound all that, but we guarantee you’ll know your chrysanthemums from your cosmos in no time and find yourself googling ‘how to become a florist’ before the end of episode one. The show follows ​​ten teams of florists, sculptors and garden designers competing to create extravagant floral installations for a chance to display at London’s Royal Botanic Gardens.

Think The Great British Bake Off in flower form, the show is equivalent to a comforting mug of tea at the end of a rainy day, with its colourful displays and joyful contestants, TBFF is in a ‘wholesome’ league of its own.   

9. Glow

From the makers of Orange Is the New Black, Glow follows a crew of misfits in 1980s LA as they reinvent themselves as the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW). Meet Ruth Wilder, a struggling actress who auditions as part of the professional wrestling promotion, but not before realising her former best friend Debbie Eagan has also been cast to star in the show. 

The two women are forced to work together just as their friendship unwinds, with the growing tension between them promising to either make or break the developing show. 

Tackling issues such as equal pay, work/life balance, racial inequality, ageism, homophobia, and the quest to follow one’s dreams, Glow is well crafted, original and powerful in all the right ways.

10. Midnight Diner

A collection of everyday stories told by its customers and connected by the only open diner in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, The Midnight Diner is one you’ll want to savour. The restaurant’s chef is known only as ‘The Master’, with a mysterious scar across his face, he offers a listening ear and comforting meal to all those who seek it. Failed actors, struggling comedians, prostitutes, and compulsive gamblers walk through its doors, and bouncing from heavy to lighthearted with ease, its stories and characters are intriguing at their core. 

Magical and hypnotic, the Midnight Diner will suck you into its intimate world and bring comfort akin to one of The Master’s traditional warming dishes.