Welcome to the website of award-winning author Linda Newbery. Here you can read about publications, news and events, using the links.
Out now!
The One True Thing
a new adult novel
When the ground shifts, where is one true thing to be found?
Jane, in her twenties, is left parentless when her father dies suddenly; a second shock follows when his Will reveals the existence of a son no-one knew of. Now Wildings, the family home, must be sold. Spanning two generations, the novel tells the story of Bridget, Jane’s mother, trapped in an unhappy marriage on which her career depends, and of stone-carver Meg, who wants only independence but is enmeshed in conflicting loyalties and desires when Adam, a young artist, enters their lives, to devastating effect.
Now far from Wildings, Meg is bound by a promise to support Jane in her loss. Having thought of herself as an observer who saw everything, she’s forced to realise how much she failed to see – and the cost to those she loves.
‘A beautifully complex tapestry of lives and relationships … a novel to immerse yourself in.’ Jane Rogers, author of Mr Wroe’s Virgins
From Writers Review Publishing.
Cover art and design by Owen Gent.
Animal Advocate interviews: people who make a difference
To start 2025, here's guest No.9: Lauren St John, award-winning author of fiction for children and teenagers, all with animal themes. Lauren's childhood in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) gave her amazing wildlife encounters which led to her an enduring love for animals. As well as her writing, she's an ambassador for the Born Free foundation and for Mane Chance, and the founder of Authors4Oceans.
Big welcome to guest No.8! Jane Dalton is a journalist who writes for The Independent, regularly covering stories of animal exploitation. She's someone campaigners like myself look to for coverage of animal issues that need to be more widely acknowledged.
She's a novelist, too: With Love from the Afterlife will be published in June 2025 by Unbound.
Welcome to guest No. 7 - Rob Pownall, of Protect the Wild! Rob's the powerhouse behind this organisation that aims to end fox-hunting, shooting and other cruel sports. Read about Rob's determined, ambitious approach and how he aims to consign bloodsports to history.
Introducing my sixth Animal Advocate guest! Here's Catherine Cannon, with whom I'm lucky to work on the Plant-Based Councils Campaign. Read about Catherine's motivation, how she became involved and the great progress the campaign is making.
What a wonderful photograph! I'd love to cuddle a pig. The fifth guest in my Animal Advocate series is Gina Bates, vegan crofter and founder of The Vegan Land Movement - an inspiring person who really is living by her principles.
Read more here - with a link to an Off the Leash podcast interview with Gina, too.
Guest number four! Award-winning illustrator Mini Grey talks about her marvellous new book, The Greatest Show on Earth, and her activism - and for once I meet my blog guest in person!
Read more here, with a range of Mini's brilliant illustrations.
I'm honoured to welcome the third guest to my series: John Oberg, from the United States. An influential campaigner, speaker and trainer, John devotes his life to raising awareness of animal matters, and helps others to make a difference too. Find out more here ...
Big thanks to John for answering my questions!
Here's the second guest in my Animal Advocate series! I'm delighted to welcome Cleve West - best known as a top garden designer and winner of many Chelsea Flower Show gold medals. But he's equally passionate about campaigning for animals ... find out more here.
Launching what I hope will be a regular series on the blog, award-winning author, animal advocate and former vet Gill Lewis talks about her books and her campaigning for animals.
If you haven't yet read Gill's books, there's a treat waiting! All of them are about animals or the environment in some way - and they're great reads, too.
This Book is Cruelty Free
published by Farshore
Our daily lives affect animals and the environment in many ways, some of which are obvious, others we may not realise. Is it possible to live kindly and minimise the harm we do? Can we opt out of cruelty altogether? Find out more on this new page.
"This is the book we all need right now..." Children's Books Ireland
Film: I Could Never Go Vegan
I was at the screening of this brilliant film in May at the Regal Picturehouse, Henley-on-Thames, and took part in the panel discussion that followed.
'For anyone who's ever said it...'
Do watch this if you get the chance! Here's the trailer.
Rubbish?
new picture book - illustrated by Katie Rewse
'Don't throw it away - there is no away!' This was an advertising slogan from, erm, Shell, the oil giant. It's a good message, though. This book - which started life as a single-word 'concept' book - encourages upcycling, creativity, sharing, growing and fun.
The charming illustrations are by Katie Rewse. Find out more about Katie and her work here.
Rubbish? is published by the brilliant Otter-Barry Books.