“Where can I buy your books?” It’s a question that I am often asked, and I usually say ‘Wherever you usually buy books.’ Even if a bookshop isn’t stocking my titles, they can easily order them in for you and will be more than happy to do so and take your money.

Then, of course, there are the ubiquitous online platforms that sell books. My books are available at all the usual online places, and while there’s a benefit for me if people buy there and feed the algorithm (making it more likely that other people will be directed to my books), I would always encourage readers to support their local independent bookshops when they can. I probably get more money per sale when people buy from me at an event or direct from my publisher's website, but there’s an upside for me whichever way you choose to get your hands on my books (well, perhaps not if you shoplift them: please don’t do that), so I'd rather share the love and see enthusiastic booksellers get a bit more support.

I’m fortunate in having a number of great local bookshops near me who have supported my books – BH6 Books and Home in Southbourne, The Westbourne Bookshop in (surprise surprise) Westbourne, and a new arrival to the local book scene The Mysterious Bookcase, also in Westbourne – and I feel strongly that if we want those kind of shops to exist, we have to support them rather than give our money to the online retail giants.

But I recognise that we live in the real world, a world where we don’t always have time to get out to the shops and where, for some people, even getting out of the house is a major obstacle. Online shopping meets a genuine need and people shouldn’t feel guilty about the times when buying with a few simple clicks of a mouse is the best way for them.

Happily, I recently discovered a website called uk.bookshop.org which combines the best elements of online and bricks-and-mortar bookshops. It has all the convenience of online shopping, but also passes on a proportion of each sale to the independent bookshop of the customer’s choice (or, if you don’t specify a bookshop, adds their cut into a central fund to be shared by all participating bookshops). I think it’s a wonderful idea, taking on big business and supporting the people with a genuine passion for books, while still having the convenience of shopping in your slippers and PJs (other sartorial choices are available). To show my support for this initiative, I’ve changed the ‘buy online’ options on my website to connect to Bookshop.org, just to make it easier for you to buy through them rather than the usual suspects. Why not go to the pages for one of my books now and see just how simple it is to use? Of course, you should probably go through the whole process and actually order the book while you’re checking it out, just to make sure it all works properly. You know it makes sense.