Instagram story viewer> @msalisonmay> Tagged

Alison May | author - romcom & paranormal crime

@msalisonmay

1.6K

followers

1350

following

Writer. AKA Ally Sinclair and Amelia Berry. Also 1/3 of @fictiontutors

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Had the most amazing weekend in Bournemouth at @romancewritingfestival. Met lots of authors and other people involved in the festival, who were all very helpful and informative. Each and every one of them were absolutely lovely and all gave the utmost encouragement and advice to help you on your way from Writer to Author. Really feel like the next year can see me with a finished novel. Thank you all @suzholder15 @ecwilsonauthor @ffordekatie @authorbythesea1207 @liamlivings @clareswatmanauthor @abiolabello @msalisonmay @suemoorcroftauthor @lindacorbettauthor #writer #writerlife #authors #event #festival

60

30

After a ‘slightly late’ night - I was up bright and early ready to tackle day two. This time, the awesome AlisonMay was on hand to help us compere for the day (as usual - NO pictures of the two of us together…) - just as well, as the first panel of the day, Nikki and I were joined by Stacey McNeill and Liz Fenwick to talk very candidly about the shift in publishing, and why authors are choosing different paths into publication. Self-publishing and indie publishing are on the rise, and having heard from these ladies, it’s easy to see why.   Yet more fabulous authors on stage - amazing AMAZING panels, and I wish I had evidence. Lovely to spend time chatting with @baparisauthor - and to catch up with @eleanorbarkerwhite - to all the other authors that were there - PLEASE do tag me in pics of us if you have them, because I have NONE lol  Fascinating conversations with @bramwelllawes, seeing @lv_matthews_author again is always a joy - that woman lights up every room she walks into - and it’s great to see @jesskitchingwrites again makes my heart soar. SO many lovely friends, and so many more made.   Katy and William at Tea, Leaves and Reads have created something truly spectacular in this festival. A real sense of home and beloinging for authors and readers alike. I applaud you and can’t wait to return next year.

59

26

The lovely @ameliaberryauthor @msalisonmay providing great guidance as well as being a panellist at @tealeavesandreads litfest today! Fab dress too!
#author #romance #litfest #indiebookstores

24

4

The phenomenal success of romantic fiction offers valuable lessons, not just for romance writers, but for anyone interested in crafting compelling stories.

In this article, novelist @msalisonmay explores how strong world building brings romantic fiction to life, from high fantasy epics to cosy seaside tales.

🔗 Read the full article via the link in our bio - World building in romantic fiction

-

Want to write romantic fiction with constructive feedback and expert guidance?

Learn to craft passion this September 💕 Join our 12-week online romantic fiction course, led by Alison May. Starting 21 September.

What you'll explore:
- Romance writing essentials
- Page-turning storytelling
- Irresistible characters
- Rich worlds and settings
- Love, longing and emotion
- From spark to satisfying ending

Alison will read up to 5,000 words of your writing and offer constructive, personalised feedback.

🔗 Last few places left! Book using the link in our bio - online tutored courses

#romancecourse #romanticfictioncourse #writingcourse #romanticfiction

25

0

CASE FILE COMPLETE. 🔎

Suspects? Identified.

Lead investigator? In position.

Time period? Very much under investigation.

The full cast is now assembled for:

🕰️ Crimes of the Past: Writing Historical Mystery

Join:

📚 Alice G. May
📚 Anna Mazzola
📚 Jessica Bull
📚 Vaseem Khan

with Alison May leading the investigation.

Together, they'll explore how writers bring the past to life while crafting compelling mysteries rooted in real history.

Because writing historical crime means more than recreating the past. It's about understanding what really happened… and then finding the perfect place to hide a body. 🩸

🕦 11:30–12:30 - Main Hall
📍 Coastal Crime Festival

Case closed? Not quite. See you in March. 👀

Pop to the link in our bio to buy tickets or sign up to our newsletter.

8

3

Happy Birthday @msalisonmay 🎂🍾🥂💐

2

1

July 2026: Harper Collins summer party, Dad’s 60th, homegrown peas, bit of Sondheim, Queen Candice, a brilliant mug from a brilliant friend, photo prompts for a short story writing session, West Midlands Writers’ summer social, book sightings in the wild - and in a window! - and writing. So much writing.
Favourite read of the month: No Small Thing, Orlaine McDonald
Currently listening to: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin

31

4

Why Julyin’

Le Dauphin

A Renaissance painting

Poirot

Author summer social

Gomez!

Number One

Neighbourhood watch

Talking shit and casting spells

He’s not sure about the mullet

Extra dirty

Vroom vroom

Zzzz

Colmore Food Festival

Ennui

🤤

Is he… you know

🥐

Choir as folk

😽

47

6

Online creative writing courses starting autumn 2026 📚️✨ BOOK NOW!

Whether you've always wanted to write but need a little encouragement, or you're already writing regularly and looking for expert feedback and structure, our online tutored courses are the perfect way to invest in your creativity.

From £300, our courses combine expert-led lessons you can complete at your own pace, practical writing exercises, and personalised feedback on assignments.

🔗 Find the link in our bio and select 'Online tutored courses' 🔗

Our new term begins in September, with courses in fiction, poetry, life writing, memoir, romantic fiction, creative non-fiction, and more:

Writing the Past with Dr Breeze Barrington
7 September | 8 weeks

How to Write Fiction with Benjamin Johncock or Nicola Dinan
21 September | 12 weeks

Creative Non-Fiction: An Introduction with Ed Parnell
21 September | 12 weeks

How to Write Romantic Fiction with Alison May
21 September | 12 weeks

Kickstart Your Poetry with Helen Ivory
21 September | 12 weeks

Develop Your Fiction with Megan Bradbury
21 September | 18 weeks

Memoir: The Next Chapter with Amy Key
21 September | 18 weeks

Mapping the Self: Life Writing with Camilla Balshaw
12 October | 8 weeks

Preparing for Publication with Jenny Knight
12 October | 8 weeks

Which course will you choose?

Designed in partnership with @uealdc

#creativewriting #writingcommunity #onlinelearning #writersofinstagram #Norwichwriters

26

0

Tutor announcement!

We are delighted to announce the tutor for our upcoming How to Write Romantic Fiction online tutored course: novelist Alison May @msalisonmay ✨️

Alison is a romantic fiction author, mentor, and editor, publishing romances as Alison May, Ally Sinclair, and Amelia Berry. Formerly Chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, she has helped many writers go on to publication. Her romantic comedies have been shortlisted for major romance awards, co‑written modern retellings as Juliet Bell, and her latest Amelia Berry series follows love and drama at a cookery school in the Highlands. 🍒

Our How to Write Romantic Fiction course is designed for beginners with no formal training, offering insightful lessons and practical, personalised feedback to keep you writing and growing. 🔗 Find out more via the link in our bio - online tutored courses

#romanticfictioncourse #romanticfictionwriting #romancewriting #romancecourse #writingcourse #romancefiction

15

0

Had a great time at the Meet Cute book festival today. Once again it was very hot, but a chance to meet lots of lovely authors and readers. I really enjoyed taking part on a panel with Lilac Mills and KT Dady, and heard some very interesting talks. #meetcute26 #authorlife #respectromfic

88

11

📢 Coastal Crime Festival Update

After careful consideration, we’ve made the decision to move Coastal Crime to a new date:

📅 Saturday 6 March 2027

Accessibility has always been at the heart of Coastal Crime, and accommodation costs and travel challenges linked to the Southampton International Boat Show were creating barriers that we simply weren’t prepared to accept.

The good news?

✅ Over 90% of our speakers and authors have already confirmed for the new date

✅ Better hotel rates secured

✅ Early Bird tickets relaunched with 25% off until 30 October

All existing tickets have automatically been transferred to the new date. If you’re unable to attend, please get in touch and we’ll arrange a full refund.

Thank you for all your patience, kindness and support while we navigate these slightly choppy coastal waters.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Southampton in March 2027.

🎟️ Tickets: www.coastalcrime.org

#CoastalCrime #crimefiction #southampton #bookfestival

46

12