Depending upon when you're reading this column, if you just go over here right now, you can watch something you don't see every day: a livestream of a bestselling author writing her next novel in real time at a desk in an upstairs room of a newly opened independent bookstore. Go ahead, check it out. I'll wait....
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| Katherine Croft | |
Welcome back. So, here's the deal. Bestselling British author Kathryn Croft, whose 19 psychological thriller novels include While You Were Sleeping and The Lying Wife, has taken on the challenge of writing an 80,000-word novel live in just seven days in a dedicated upstairs space at recently opened Paper Moon Bookshop in Guildford, which posted on Instagram: "This has never been done before--and we're thrilled to host this literary first. Come by, witness the magic, and be part of the creative journey!"
The project is called "The Writer in the Window," though as Croft noted beforehand: "Well, technically I won't physically be in a window (as I'd first imagined), but The Writer on the Upstairs Floor doesn't quite have the same ring to it!").
Croft typed her first word on Monday, September 1, and the plan is to work during shop hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. BST), within sight, and perhaps more challenging, conversational range of the bookshop's patrons.
The novel-now-in-progress will be the second book in a new deal with Headline, the Bookseller reported. The first, I Know What I Saw, will be released in summer 2026. Deputy publishing director Lucy Dauman said: "I have long been a fan of Kathryn's unputdownable thrillers and am absolutely delighted to be publishing her new books. I Know What I Saw had my head spinning in the best way and I know this new book will be just as pacy, compelling and addictive. I am completely in awe of the challenge Kathryn has taken on and have every faith that she'll pull it out the bag. Go, Kathryn--we're rooting for you!"
Before launching her quest, Croft observed: "This is the most intense creative challenge I've ever taken on, and it will push me to my limits. I'm doing it not just for the personal goal, but to celebrate independent bookshops and show what it really takes to write a novel from scratch.... We writers can be strange creatures--sitting alone for hours in front of our laptops, lost in our own minds. And it's hard sometimes."
Croft added that another "huge reason" for doing this is that Paper Moon "is a fantastic independent bookshop, and I want it to stay there. Hannah and Jack's passion for, and knowledge of, books is clear the moment you step inside and they are an inspiration. And beyond that, I want all independent bookshops to flourish in this age of algorithms and screens. I really believe that there are books out there for everyone, and bookshops help us find them."
I've been checking in on Croft's progress periodically. Writing is a solitary game ("Disclaimer: this livestream isn't for entertainment purposes (I won't have much time to chitchat!), it's primarily for verification."), even in a public venue ("Don't miss out on all the riveting action of me sitting at my laptop all day barely moving.").
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| Croft at work | |
When I first tuned in Monday morning, Croft was already in conversation with a woman who had climbed the stairs and started a conversation that included mentioning she was also writing a book. I suspect that's happened more than a few times. Although Croft has some House Rules ("Be Kind • No Spoilers • Respect Quiet Zones"), she has been invariably gracious in the interactions I've witnessed.
After Day 1, she reported: "Firstly, I'm completely drained.... But I know what I need to do differently tomorrow." She cited highlights like "meeting lots of lovely people in the bookshop, many of whom had come in to show their support for this crazy author."
She wrote 6,000 words, "which although not enough, was more than I've ever written in a day before. Just means the pressure is on to write more for the next 6 days." Her goals for Day 2 included writing in 45-minute sprints, with a 15-minute break; not getting "distracted talking to lovely bookshop customers"; being "prepared for how tough it is to write in one spot all day"; and "eating lunch!" She added: "I'm exhausted, my head hurts, but I showed up and I did the first day. Now I need to up my game."
Day 2 found Croft feeling "surprisingly... a lot less exhausted than I was yesterday." Her daily word count rose to 8,000 words (14,000 total), but she noted that "one thing is still clear--this is TOUGH! I knew it would be, but knowing it and feeling it are very different things. I'm too shattered and word-tired (is that even a thing?) to write too much here now." Highlights included "witnessing how people of all ages love books" and meeting "more lovely people, including some local authors, who I wish all the best of luck to with their books." She also celebrated "actually eating my lunch today!"
Day 3 got off to a glitchy start ("Sorry, the livestream is currently down--hopefully sorted soon but in the meantime I'm still ploughing on!"). Later, she reported that her total word count had risen to 21,182, but the effort was taking a toll: "I'm exhausted, mentally drained and the intense pressure I've put on myself (no one else--I set the goal post!) is taking its toll on my health.... So I'm taking the intense pressure off myself in the hopes that for the next 4 days I will enjoy my writing with no pressure other than to have fun." Her new goal is "50,000 words of a novel that I can then go back over and add to once I've had a long rest!... Please be kind to me, Day 4!"
What will happen next? Tune in to find out.