May 2026
Submission non-news, living out my Baby Spice dreams and... 22 chicken wings?!
Life Updates
Hello hello! How are you all doing? Summer is here with a bang, and I hope it’s making everyone feel a bit brighter. (Also me right now: Waaa waaa I’m hot. Where is Winter?) ((No seriously, I HAVE NO DECENT SUMMER CLOTHES, I’M NOT PREPARED!))
I have been in a state of emotional whiplash this month, particularly with the whole “being made redundant from my job” thing. One minute I’m weeping and manically hyperventilating (seriously… the night-time panic attacks suck), the next I’m actually feeling weirdly pumped for the next chapter?! I’ve had SO many people reach out to me with love and support (thank you so much guys), as well sharing their own stories of redundancy or bad news that ended up leading to much better things. It really does help to hear these kinds of anecdotes, especially when the future currently feels like this massive, hazy blob with no clear shape or consistency. (ew.)
I don’t like change. I don’t like not knowing things. I don’t like having no money. So as you can imagine this whole period of time has been very much NOT FUN.
Of course, work has been uncommunicative and useless as shit when it comes to the next stages. I have been hanging in endless limbo, waiting to hear my fate and whether I’ll be allowed to leave now, or forced to stay on until January. I will (allegedly) hear by June 5th, so fingers crossed I can finally just GO and start a brand new chapter of my life.
It’s definitely the right decision. The Uni is a sinking ship, with new holes springing up daily. There’s water in the hull. And we’re headed for an Iceberg. And the ship is also simultaneously on fire. It’s time to jump into a lifeboat and get as far away as possible.
But all that said, even knowing I’m doing the right thing, I still feel unbearably sad. I’ve been at the shop for 12 years, practically a third of my life. I have lots of friends there. I love being around the students and working in such a creative environment. I love feeling confident and competent in my work. The thought of just being set out into the wide world with no clear plan is utterly terrifying.
Still, I guess that all the best things in life are a bit terrifying sometimes. And I’m definitely ready to write, to plan gigs and school visits, to have time and space to focus on my art, at least for a while. Let’s see what happens next… Maybe it will be exciting!
In other news, we attended the One Box Of Fudge 25k Celebration Party at the start of May - the theme was icons so knowing that the fudge man himself was going as Scary Spice, we all rocked up in the “spice-mobile” (ie. Matty’s EV blaring Spice Up Your Life out the windows) as the rest of the Spice Girls. I was Baby, OBVIOUSLY. (She was always my fave as a tween haha). It was all very iconic - and we sang karaoke, line-danced (or attempted to), and celebrated such an amazing milestone reached in style.
Mat being dressed up as Geri in the world’s rattiest wig was absolutely hilarious, especially as Katie had to be on dignity duty since he had no idea how to sit down elegantly in a dress. “The fabric is sticking to the chair and it’s really uncomfortable!” YEAH, WELL WELCOME TO THE HELL OF BEING A WOMAN MY LOVE. (My Mum thought the wig suited him and that he should grow his hair out by the way - and I’m not sure how to process such a comment.)
It was also so nice to catch up with my life-long bestie Katie (who was Sporty Spice) - we’ve been friends since we were 4 years old, and we saw through the REAL Spice Girl craze together, so the theme felt incredibly fitting!
It was also Matty’s birthday this month! We had a really chilled one, going to one of our local haunts Meat & Barrel for Wing Wednesday - he ate 22 CHICKEN WINGS and I think that’s actually obscene, even if it was his birthday. But also, I’m weirdly proud of him for going for the things he really wants in life.
We also had some drinks in the sunshine on the rooftop of The Wine Vaults - a very pleasant evening indeed! We’ve also had celebratory meet-ups with various friends and family, so I guess you could call it more of a birth-week? Huzzah!
OOH one last thing! Yesterday we went to see the Portsmouth Player’s performance of Avenue Q - a show I have seen twice before and is one of my all-time faves. The cast and live band were honestly fantastic, as was our talented friend Matt who was starring as Nicky. I was blown away by the level of talent right on our doorstep!
It is getting more and more expensive to go up to London for shows, and half the time they are underwhelming and not worth the money (I’m looking at you Hunger Games and Into The Woods)… So I’m really feeling my “local production” era and seeing more am-dram in my area. I’d recommend giving random things a shot, you never know how good they could be!
Creative Updates
Submission News
Yep. That’s the submission news.
For the last few months, I’ve at least had some lovely feedback to share, but May was a big fat load of silence. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? I genuinely have no idea.
I know there are still editors reading Just For Likes, and in fact a whole second round of people who I would simply LOVE to work with… But whether the silence is good or bad, I really can’t tell. We heard passes fairly quickly on the first round, and I was expecting the same this time, but it’s going much more slowly.
MAYBE this means people are reading and seriously considering? (I hope so!)
MAYBE everyone is just overloaded with submissions and hasn’t got to it yet? (I mean, this feels plausible).
MAYBE a secret third option?!! (I don’t know what the secret third option is, but it’s probably bad).
Yes, as you can tell, I’m going ever so slightly insane. I think this is normal and all part of the process. But it doesn’t make it any easier.
Despite how difficult it’s been, I still VERY MUCH believe in my book and feel readers will love Tessa and Robert… So I really, really hope there is someone reading about them RIGHT NOW and imagining working with me to make this the best romance ever. I’m not giving up hope yet! Hopefully there will be more news in June…
Other Stuff
I discovered that 3 songs I wrote a year or so ago with my very first music publisher North Star Music are being featured on a Cinematic Voices music library - this is very cool because it means the songs could be picked up for TV at any time and trickle in royalties! These were all toplined and recorded at home so fingers crossed I can do more in the future.
I also recorded a brand new country song It Is What It Is - written and performed with my bestie Paul Andreas for his new album Bloodlines & Faultlines.
This is the 3rd song we’ve recorded in the studio together, and the lyrics are about people and situations in our lives that we are ready to ride away from and leave behind us in the dust. It was very cathartic to write - and also very fun!!
We had a real laugh in the studio, dancing and singing all day, and we managed to capture some great BTS footage which you can find on Insta!
Other than that, I am writing lots. I just hit 40k on my as-of-yet untitled sequel for Just For Likes (my book on sub!) - and I’ve been developing ideas for the next book. Honestly, I have no idea if I’m writing the “right” thing or not, but I’m enjoying myself so I guess I’ll just keep going?!
OH YEAH AND… Mat and I applied for the TV Quiz Show Alan Carr’s Picture Slam and we got through to final Zoom auditions (!!), but didn’t get selected for the show. BOO HISS. I really thought we smashed it and had an amazing chance… But they explained it’s because they had so few episodes to shoot, and encouraged us to apply again next season. Ohhhh we will!
Movie Recs
Finding Emily - BRITISH ROM COMS ARE BACK BABY!! This film was so charming, funny and swoony, I found it so inspiring as a writer! GO SEE IT!
The Ballad Of Wallis Island - This movie caught me off-guard with how GOOD it was. Folk music, a rustic island, deep yearning and regret, an eccentric millionaire… Yes please.
Lilith Fair: Building A Mystery - A fascinating and inspiring documentary about the 1990s all-women music festival. I wish I could go back in time and attend, but watching this movie felt like the next best thing!
TV Recs
Half Man - A twisted show from the twisted mind of Baby Reindeer’s Richard Gadd - it’s so toxic and terrible AND I FREAKING LOVE IT! The man is honestly a genius.
Eurovision 2026 - Ahh I was so happy for Bulgaria taking the crown this year with the iconic Bangaranga! Sadly the UK got 1 measly little point, but it was because we were a bit shit, as per usual. (Lovely guy though!!) Also Mat made a bet and won £144 so that’s pretty good isn’t it?
Off-Campus - So many peopled recced this new college romance to me, and it’s PEAK teen rom com. Awkward, musical, brainy girl fake dates hot hockey jock and they catch real feelings for each other? INJECT IT INTO MY VEINS!
Book Recs
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - This book has been everywhere AND FOR GOOD REASON. A trad housewife influencer suddenly finds herself in the real 1800s, living the gritty, less than glamorous version of the lifestyle she peddles online. It was so weird and biting, and I loved every second. Anne Hathaway is adapting it into a movie too!
Famesick by Lena Dunham - I have always loved Lena Dunham, and I always WILL love Lena Dunham. This memoir is raw, emotional, inspiring, wise, hilarious and messy as hell. One for all the girls who have ever been told they are “too much”. I found it a light in the dark this month.
Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden - PEAK THRILLER! This was full of so many dark, delicious twists and kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
Music Recs
Florescence by Maisie Peters - I absolutely LOVE the singer/songwriter Maisie Peters and her newest release is packed to the brim with folk-pop bangers. She has such a way of bringing words and melodies together to create such beautiful, reflective masterpieces. Dare I say, one of my favourite albums of the year?
Dancing On The Wall by MUNA - MUNA are one of these bands that are just COOL and this album is COOL and also full of bangers,
MAITREYA CORSO by Maya Hawke - She may be the daughter of Uma and Ethan, but Maya Hawke is so much more than a nepo-baby to me! (Iol). Her music is so quirky and folksy and lovely, and this new album is some of her best work.
The next time I chat to you all, it will be June - and I’m very excited for June as it promises answers, clarity, and most importantly, MY BIRTHDAY!
Let’s hope it’s a fun month for us all! Let me know what you’ve got planned.
Much love,
Becky x
Your mom is right, Matt is rocking that wig lol 🤣 I hope the silence is because your book is being considered seriously, and I love how optimistic you are about what comes next! I too dislike change. Happy belated to Matt and Happy almost birthday to youuu ✨🥳
Oh this had me absolutely hooting babe ❤️❤️❤️ Even in your darkest hours you are still one funny bitch! Love you Xx