The Book Bump

The Book Bump started as my cosy little corner of the internet where I shared my thoughts on books and motherhood. The motherhood aspect didn’t last long, although it was a much-needed outlet during a difficult pregnancy.

Since then, my creative life has grown. I started taking my creative writing seriously and recently self-published my debut psychological thriller (you can check it out here).

I also spent time figuring out what else I wanted to pursue… and that’s when another dream resurfaced: becoming a children’s book illustrator, and maybe one day an author as well.

Storytelling has always been the thread running through everything I love. Whether it’s with dark, gritty words, or with whimsical, light-hearted illustrations… my goal is the same: to make people feel something.

I want this blog to reflect all aspects of my creative life. I am an indie author, an illustrator in training and a writer working on new projects. Naturally, the blog is growing, as I am, becoming a more personal, authentic creative journal. I hope you’ll want to come along for the ride.

Rest assured, if you are here mainly for the bookish content, The Book Bump Book Club is coming soon!

So, what can you expect from this shift in content?

My aim is to post weekly (every Monday morning). Each month, you can expect one new blog post in each of the following categories:

• Thriller writing content: Behind-the-scenes insight into psychological thrillers — the craft, plotting vs. pantsing, character development, and everything that goes into building tension.
• Indie author journey: Lessons I’ve learned, things I’d do differently, marketing experiments, and honest reflections on creative life balance.
• Illustrations: Updates on my illustration journey: process, character development, behind-the-scenes looks, watercolour explorations, and all the mistakes and experiments that come with learning something new.
• Book reviews: ARC reviews, books I’ve loved, books I’ve learned from, and books I genuinely think deserve more attention.

These changes mean more variety and more authenticity, while allowing you to get to know me better. I’ve always believed that the connections we make are what make being a Creative Professional worth it.

You will get insights into how all my creative worlds coexist, despite seeming to be on opposite sides of the spectrum. It is a strange, but satisfying balance.

So, perhaps this is a good time to (re)introduce myself.

I’m Charlotte: mother of three, a thriller author, an illustrator in training, and a lifelong creative.

My debut psychological thriller, Under His Shadow, was released on 10th October and is available online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, and more.

In 2023, I taught myself watercolour painting. In August 2024, I began formal training to become an illustrator.

This blog brings all these creative threads together. Whether you’re here for the writing, the art, or simply the book talk, I hope you’ll stay for this new chapter.

If this new chapter excites you as much as it does me, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss any updates. I’d also love to hear from you. Drop a comment and tell me what kind of posts you want more of!

Next week, I’ll be diving into my illustration journey…

Until then, have an inspired week 😊