Today Ocean is published — and I’m so pleased to share this short film to mark a wild and extraordinary journey, and a thank you to those of you who’ve been here since the beginning.
The other part of today’s celebration is this generous and wide-ranging interview on BBC Scotland with the poet Len Pennie, who dived deeply into the book and describes Ocean as ‘Wild from start to finish’. We spoke about Ocean's origins, the strangeness of grief, and the wild journey Helen undertakes.
What made it especially meaningful was the chance to talk about Monday Night Reads — this very Substack — and how the novel began as a weekly serial. I recorded episodes on my boat and uploaded them, unsure if anyone was listening. But you were. Your responses — thoughtful, urgent, and sometimes even breathless — shaped the book as I wrote. And they gave this space a life of its own, long after the serialisation ended.
This platform has proved transforming for my novel: shaping it and involving readers at quite an early stage. Thank you so much for being here with me.
🎧Listen to the BBC Arts Mix interview here
My interview runs 00.40 — 14.19.
Ocean is now out in the world — in shops, online, and wherever good books are found.
If you’ve enjoyed the journey, I’d be so grateful if you’d consider buying a copy or sharing it with someone who might love it too.
With love and thanks,
Polly x
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