A Cuppa With Catherine

Pop the kettle on and settle in for a cuppa. Catherine Lynwood invites you to share in her updates, reflections, and the worlds and characters she brings to life—like old friends having a natter over tea.

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Why the 80,000 Word Limit Is a Myth

A response to traditional publishing's obsession with word count
The ranking of my book, The Alpha Flame Discovery, as of 2nd February 2026.

Indie author Catherine Lynwood reflects on a recent encounter with a literary agent who insisted no novel should exceed 80,000 words. Here’s why that advice doesn’t hold up, and what truly matters to readers.

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02 February 2026

Now on Spotify: The Alpha Flame as a Gripping Audio Serial

Follow Maggie and Beth’s story one chapter at a time, now streaming free.
Phone playing The Alpha Flame on Spotify, with earbuds and coffee nearby

You can now listen to The Alpha Flame: Discovery on Spotify in a free, chapter-by-chapter audio serial. Here's what to expect, and why this format matters.

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01 January 2026

To Everyone Reading: Thank You, Truly

A heartfelt message as the year ends, and a new chapter begins.
Open book beside fairy lights and a mug of tea, with a handwritten thank you note

Over the Christmas period, I've watched The Alpha Flame find its way into readers' hands across the UK, USA, and Australia. Here's why it means everything, and a Happy New Year message from me to you.

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31 December 2025

Coming to Your Ears: The Alpha Flame Audiobook (and More!)

Audio is coming… and you’ve never heard Maggie and Beth like this.
A woman wearing headphones, listening intently, with flames reflected behind her.

Big news! The Alpha Flame: Discovery is getting an audiobook release and a Spotify serialisation. Catherine Lynwood shares the details and introduces voice artist Lahrysa Saddul.

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22 November 2025

Beneath the Flyover: Life in Rubery and Longbridge in the 1980s

A quiet bench, a forgotten overpass, and the overlooked lives it sheltered.
Catherine seated alone on Beth’s bench beneath the Rubery Flyover, evening light

In the shadows of Birmingham’s Rubery Flyover, a generation lived on the edge, a story of strikes, survival, and sisterhood beneath the concrete.

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04 November 2025

Beware the Flattery Trap: A Scam Targeting Indie Authors

My Encounter with the "Metro Philadelphia Book Club" and Why You Should Be Cautious
An author at a desk facing a glowing screen, with shadowy hands made of money reaching out from the monitor, symbolizing an online scam.

A suspicious book club offer turned out to be a thinly veiled scam. Here’s how I uncovered the truth, and what fellow authors should watch for.

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29 October 2025

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