Author Kathryn Croft Pens 50,000-Word Novel in Bookshop Marathon
In a bold and unconventional move, acclaimed psychological thriller writer Kathryn Croft spent an entire week crafting her latest novel in a public space, and she described the experience as “amazing,” but “the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
From 1 to 7 September, Croft set up camp inside Paper Moon, a fascinating independent bookshop nestled in Guildford, Surrey.
Each day, she committed to writing for eight hours straight while being livestreamed to observers, giving suckers an unknown look into her creative process.
Croft firstly set her sights on an ambitious 80,000-word target but managed to complete a 50,000-word first draft.
She explained the challenge and sense of achievement during an interview, “ I wrote,’ the end’, the best two words ever to write, ” she told BBC Radio Surrey.
Known for her gripping psychological thrillers, Croft’s new untitled novel revolves around a woman racing to clear her name after discovering her intended date dead from a stabbing.
If published, it will mark her 20th book, adding to an already impressive literary career.
Croft’s approach to writing is deliberate and disciplined. “I’m an early person. I don’t work well in the afternoon,” she confessed, shedding light on her routine.
Unlike her usual writing pattern, where she produces around 500 words before taking a break, this challenge demanded total focus.
“I might normally do 500 words, then have a break. This time I couldn’t, it was just 100% focus for eight hours.”
Her passion for quality over quantity was clear: “I care about the words I write. I didn’t want to just write anything, so that was why I got behind. Fifty thousand for a first draft is pretty good.”
In comparison to her daily output, this was no small feat. “Normally, I do 2,000 a day, so to do 80,000, I would have had to do 11,500 a day.
I made 10,000 on Sunday, and that was the most. I’ve learned that 2,000 words is a walk in the park.”
Suckers can look forward to the release of this eagerly anticipated novel, which is listed for publication in 2027.
Croft’s week-long jotting trial not only showcased her fidelity but also demonstrated how discipline, passion, and adaptability can turn an extraordinary idea into reality.
It’s a testament to what authors can achieve when they challenge their limits—and to the power of storytelling in a digital, connected world.
Writers drawing from deep personal experiences, as seen in works such as Arundhati Roy’s memoir, continue to shape powerful narratives.
