Maud Gillett

@maudgillett

Indie writer with a fascination for the unexplained... Author of Pre-owned, and La Pre-amada en español. No DMs ATM, sorry - age verification pending 😄

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Maud Gillett@maudgillett· 26d

📚💙 Celebrate your author milestones🎉 Yesterday, I took a stroll in the sunshine to a Post Office counter, under my arm a package containing 5 copies of my novel for the Legal Deposit Libraries. From "Can I do this?" to "I'm part of the nation's heritage!" You can do it. Finish that book! #amwriting

A wrapped parcel is addressed to The Agency for the Legal Deposit Libraries in Edinburgh. On top of the box and behind it are copies of the debut novel *Pre-owned* by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· 27d

I couldn't resist picking up this greetings card, and wholeheartedly endorse its message! Even though I'm too much of a scaredy cat to take my own advice... 😀 #amwriting #writerslife #inspiration

A greetings card shows three dogs bounding towards the viewer living their best lives, ears flapping, tongues out. The slogan reads, "Live like someone left the gate open". Greetings card design copyright Ksuksann/depositphotos.com and Portfolio Cards London.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· 28d

Love a mysterious gothic arched door... letting the grass grow under its feet! #photography #streetart #AdoorableThursday #writerslife

A lovely dark crimson painted door, featuring a gothic arch, with grass overgrowing its threshold, is set in contrasting golden Cotswold stone on a historic property in West Oxfordshire. Photograph by Maud Gillett

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· 29d

All hail the hollyhock! 🌱 Every summer I look forward to seeing this display of feral hollyhocks. I like to think they busted out of a nearby cottage garden years ago and just decided to take over the neighbourhood. #nature #photography #streetphotography #bloomscrolling #oxfordshire

Hollyhocks of every hue from vibrant to soft pink, crimson and pale yellow line a quiet backwater in West Oxfordshire. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Jul 9

No! The hollyhocks are being eaten alive! 😢 I hope they're going to survive. I tried an organic spray but sadly no impact. I did spot a spray which would likely work. But the label said it wasn't safe for foraging bees. Too high a price to pay. 🐝🐝 #bloomscrolling #gardening #pollinators #writerslife

A blush pink hollyhock bloom is pictured beside beside some of the plant's munched leaves in an Oxfordshire garden. Photograph by Maud Gillett

The picture captures severely munched and shredded hollyhock leaves in an Oxfordshire garden. Photograph by Maud Gillett

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Jul 6

Almost at full charge and ready to report for aphid duty! Hope you managed to recharge over the weekend... Although some of us might still be running on adrenaline after last night! 😵‍💫 #nature #photography #ladybird #ladybug #writerslife

A seven spot ladybird sits on the solar panel of a garden spotlight soaking up the sun in an Oxfordshire garden in July 2026. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Jul 5

🎁 Here's your FREE ticket to escape into a suspenseful tale with a mystery heart donor plus a weekend in a scenic location! 🚂 Your ticket for *Pre-owned* is valid on #Smashwords throughout July. Hope to meet you there... 📚💙 #WritingCommunity #readersky #bookrec www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...

A screenshot of Pre-owned, a romantic suspense novel by Maud Gillett, available as a free ebook throughout July 2026, as part of the Smashwords Summer Sale.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Jul 3

🤨When I planted this lavender a few years ago, it was definitely a white variety! But I can forgive it for turning soft pink when it's so bloomin' lovely. And I've spotted so many different types of bees and butterflies on it lately. 🐝 #lavender #gardening #pollinators #bloomscrolling #photography

A soft pink lavender bush in full bloom in an Oxfordshire garden in late June 2026. Spot the bee! Photograph by Maud Gillett.

A soft pink lavender bush in full bloom in an Oxfordshire garden in early July 2026, being visited by a Peacock butterfly. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Jun 25

I didn't know spiders ate ladybirds...😓 Sadly, this is one seven spot who won't be getting its recommended 50 aphids a day. #nature #photography #gardening #ladybird #ladybug

A spider has trapped a ladybird in its web on a raspberry bush. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Jun 16

🤣

A screenshot of Kevin The Teenager and his signature floppy hair poking through the ponytail gap on his cap which he is wearing backwards.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Jun 15

Here's to a great week all... starting with a Happy #MallardMonday 🦆 #nature #photography #birds #writerslife

A mallard at rest beside a clump of reeds on sunlit water. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Jun 13

If only we had *Smellyvision*... The scent of the jasmine blossom is heavenly 🌸✨ #nature #photography #gardening #writerslife

A lush green jasmine climber with delicate pale yellow flowers in the centre of the picture. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Jun 5

Sharing #audiobook creation tips as I go. 🎧📚 No.3 To Whispersync or not An audiobook on Audible can have minor differences from its ebook. ⚠️But, listeners who are reading along on screen as they listen mention being troubled by even a single word difference. #WritingCommunity 📚💙 #writingtips 👇

A screenshot of text giving more information about Whispersync which is available on Audible.

When you have both the audiobook and Kindle ebook and follow along in the ebook while you listen to the audiobook, Whispersync will automatically sync your last reading or listening position across devices.
If you own an eligible ebook purchased on Amazon, you will see a Whispersync for voice badge next to the cover in the Audible app.

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Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Jun 4

Foxgloves arrive like magic every spring to dress the rippled old tree trunk...🌳 #ThickTrunkThursday #tree #nature #photography

Tall pink and white foxgloves create a beautiful contrast to the textured, rippled bark of a tree they are growing in front of. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· May 31

It seems there's a lucky charm to suit everyone! 😜 Personally, a horseshoe or a four leaf clover works for me 😀 🍀 Full story on the Beeb's Europe News Pages... #humour #writerslife #mosaic #Italy

A screenshot of a BBC news story with the headline, "Italy restores lucky t*sticl*s on bull mosaic worn down by tourists". A photograph shows a craftsman at work on the floor mosaic.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· May 29

A cool shady spot is perfect for escaping the UK heatwave. 😌 🌳 But if you're heading to Puzzlewood, mind you keep an eye out for lurking stone-trolls... #ForestFriday #trees #nature #photography

Large moss covered rocks flank a narrow pathway into the woods at Puzzlewood. Do you see a toothy stone troll guarding the way? 😯 Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· May 16

💐It seems we're not the only ones bringing our loved ones flowers! I watched an adult starling tugging at an Osteospermum plant in a pot in the garden, not foraging for insects, but to present one of the flower heads to its fledgling. Starling School? #nature #photography #cleverbirds #birding

An adult starling and fledgling sit together in long grass. The parent has brought the young bird a bright orange osteospermum flower which it has pecked off a garden plant. Photograph by Maud Gillett, May 2026.

A starling fledgling sits in long grass facing the camera. Photograph by Maud Gillett, May 2026.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· May 9

I might have accidentally stumbled across the latest real life thriller. I'm calling it: 'The cat in the window from the house across the street.' 😄 It's those green eyes...🙀 #writerslife #caturday #blackcat #amwriting

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· May 8

🎶 If you go down to the woods today🎶... watch out for teddy bears! Have a great weekend all, wherever you're roamin'. 😌 #trees #ForestFriday #nature #photography

A densely packed wood with silver birches in the foreground and bluebells in the background. Oxfordshire 2026. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· May 5

🤔 I can't help wondering what the story is behind this feature I spotted on a walk, carved into a beautiful old stone wall near the village of Swinbrook... #photography #wall #StreetArt #Oxfordshire

A lichen covered stone wall near Swinbrook in Oxfordshire has the outline of a rifle carved into its surface. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Apr 30

One more spring... Parts of this ancient Ash tree may be in pieces on the ground. But it's not about to give up yet! 💪🌳 #ThickTrunkThursday #Trees #Nature #Photography #writerslife

A beautiful ancient Ash tree in West Oxfordshire leans against a backdrop of a bright green field and a cloudless blue sky, bursting into life again, although its trunk is split and in pieces on the ground. Photograph by Maud Gillett

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Apr 29

Courtesy of Wikipedia:

The Row, Row, Row Your Boat song is a children's nursery rhyme, written by Eliphalet Oram Lyte in 1852. American origin.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Apr 29

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dream .. 🎶 #nature #photography #timelinecleanse #oxfordshire And just in case you were wondering where you heard that song before. It's...👇

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Apr 24

Nature calling! Happy #ForestFriday 🌳 #nature #photography #bluebells #bloomstrolling

A carpet of bluebells in a sunlit wood in West Oxfordshire, April 2026. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Apr 22

Turned off the news and went for a woodland walk with a friend. We couldn't help envying this sunbathing pheasant's complete unflappability! 😌🕊️ #nature #photography #bird #stillness #writerslife

A sunbathing pheasant relaxing on soft spring greens at Blenheim Palace. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Apr 18

🤔 I'd like #Draft2Digital to review minimum payment thresholds. US authors now risk paying a significant $41.99 to D2D before seeing ANY royalties, while for international authors it's $51.99! $20 setup+$12 annually+$19.99 payment threshold. 💰That's REALLY starting to add up! #WritingCommunity 📚💙

A screenshot of Draft2Digital's payment fees and thresholds for releasing author royalties.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Apr 15

Are you still in? Or are you out of #Draft2Digital? As a relatively new author, any extra cost on my deficit column is never welcome. But for me, it's all about routes to discovery, so I'll be sticking with them despite the $12/yr charge. Per month might be a different story! #WritingCommunity 📚💙

A screenshot of the entry for the novel, Pre-owned by Maud Gillett, published as an Ebook via Draft2Digital.

A screenshot of the platforms the Ebook version of Pre-owned by Maud Gillett is currently available on, through Draft2Digital. The list includes: Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Everand, Tolino, OverDrive, Cloud Library, Vivlio, BorrowBox, Smashwords, Gardner's, Bookshop. org and Fable.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Apr 10

Hope you get the chance to chill this weekend. Maybe even soak up some rays 🌻

Two pigs are lying together fast asleep, soaking up the spring sunshine at Coton Manor Gardens where they are residents, living their best lives. Photograph by Maud Gillett.

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Apr 9

What's that? I could be breaking the law? 😲 Published a book in the UK with your own ISBN? You may receive a request for 5 copies to be sent (at your own cost ) to ALDL in Edinburgh. This is extra to The British Library which, like me, you may have already done. OK. I'm on it! #WritingCommunity 📚💙

A screenshot of part of an email requesting 5 printed copies of a book published in the UK to be sent to ALDL with the address in Edinburgh.

The text of an email requesting copies of the printed novel, Pre-owned, by Maud Gillett,which I published in the UK last year.
The 5 libraries who will keep a copy are: The Bodleian Library, Cambridge University Library, The National Library of Scotland, The National Library of Wales and The Library of Trinity College, Dublin.
The email contains a warning that failure to do so will be breaking the law!

Maud Gillett@maudgillett· Apr 8

So grateful to have been able to take a day to go bloom strolling with a friend yesterday in the gardens of Coton Manor, and feel the stunning blossom working its soothing magic.😌 #nature #photography #blossom #bloomscrolling #writerslife #timelinecleanse