Francesca's Words

Books, films, editorial consultancy for spirited souls and discerning minds

Sensitivity Reading Isn’t Just for Books: How It Can Help Your Marketing, Web Materials & More

Anyone within sneezing distance of the book industry over the last few years will be familiar with the concept of sensitivity readers, or authenticity readers if you prefer. Authenticity readers are part of the editing process and will read a manuscript draft keeping an eye out for cultural insensitivities or inaccuracies. In the same way…

Francesca

7 May, 2026

authenticity reading

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Signed Books in Throne & Heart

Hi everyone, Chuffed to announce that you can find signed copies of The Princess and the Dragon and Other Stories About Unlikely Heroes and Rotting Trees at the brand new Throne and Heart bookshop at the Indoor Market in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. If you’re in the area, go and support an indie bookshop. Throne and…

Francesca

1 May, 2026

Book News

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Bezzina’s Emporium Trailer

Hi hi, Psyched to share this trailer for the Bezzina’s Emporium series, made by the wonderful ValkiriART. Enjoy and find out more about the series here, with the opening chapters of book one, Rotting Trees, available for free.

Francesca

28 April, 2026

Book News

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Kendra’s Adventures in Influencerland screening at the Southend Film Festival 2026

Kendra’s going to the seaside! My 2025 short film Kendra’s Adventures in Influencerland is screening as part of the Mostly Made in Southend event on 7th June at the 2026 Southend Film Festival. More information and tickets here. You can watch Kendra at her natural home on YouTube.

Francesca

20 April, 2026

Short Films & Audio Dramas

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Books on RNIB Bookshare

Hi everyone, I’m excited to announce that both my books are now available on RNIB Bookshare, for free. Bookshare, looked after by the Royal National Institute of Blind People, is an educational resource providing texts in accessible formats (DAISY Audio, Braille Refreshable Format, PDFs, ePub files) for people with visual impairments and learning disabilities. I’ve…

Francesca

1 March, 2026

Book News

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Gifting Ebooks to Anyone You Buy a Paperback for (Feb ’26)

As I wrote at the No. 1 Readers’ Club, February is often maligned for its bizarrely commercial focus on couples. Both my novels (Rotting Trees, the first book in the Bezzina’s Emporium trilogy, and The Princess and the Dragon and Other Stories About Unlikely Heroes) explore friendship, so if you send a physical copy of…

Francesca

13 February, 2026

Book News

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Last Order Dates for Valentine’s 2026 (limited stock)

Hello, I have limited Valentine’s Day cards and anti-Valentine’s prints after some very successful December markets and I don’t have plans to restock. So I’m recommending everyone who wants an item a) doesn’t wait around and b) orders by 9th February for delivery by 13th February. All Valentine’s and anti-Valentine’s pieces are in the Get…

Francesca

19 January, 2026

Mythology Mayhem, Shop News

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Last Order Dates for December 2025

Hello everyone, Just a note to remind you that the last recommended order date to receive bookish merch, signed books or other stationery from my Folksy shop is Monday 15th December. Order after then and I can’t guarantee you’ll receive your item by 25th Dec. There are very limited items in my stock due to…

Francesca

6 November, 2025

Writing

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How we made KENDRA’S ADVENTURES IN INFLUNCERLAND blog post

Hello hello, Just a little note to let you know I put together a blog post over at Francesca’s Thoughts about the inspiration and production process behind Kendra’s Adventures in Influencerland, my last short film. Enjoy! Francesca

Francesca

20 October, 2025

Writing

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Short Story Included in the Burnham Book Festival 2025 Competition Anthology

Hello hello, I’m chuffed to announce a short story of mine is in the 2025 Burnham Book Festival competition anthology. The story is called The Archive for Fair Folk Studies’ Anthology of Twenty-First Century Research into Fairies in the UK: An Account of Somerset Pixies (what a title). The Burnham Book Festival is a fantastic…

Francesca

9 September, 2025

Writing

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