I'M JUST A TEENAGE PUNCHBAG

Teenage zombies are ruining what's left of Kara's once (marginally enjoyable) existence. They are sapping her (admittedly menopausal) life force with their death stares and their slack-mouthed derision ...

I'M JUST A TEENAGE PUNCHBAG is a laugh out loud, sob on the bus journey through the so-called life of a middle aged mum. Ciara is mum to three ungrateful, entitled teenagers, is married to steady Martin, a man with hairy udders, and is grieving for her mum who now lives in the wardrobe in a cardboard box from the crematorium. She finds solace in her anonymous blog, and in the daily chats she has with her mum's ashes (often the best conversations she has all day.)

Despite the menopause, the invisibility of middle age and the daily self-esteem bashings curtesy of her kids, Ciara manages to navigate the stormy waters of grief and family life - until her mask slips and she is cast out from the family bosom. She embarks on a mission to fulfil her mum's dying wishes to have her remains sprinkled from the top of the Empire State Building, finding company, distraction and - ultimately - herself in the process.

Jackie Clune is an actor and writer from London. She has toured the world as the star of Mamma Mia! and has appeared in the all-female Shakespeare company in NYC. She has numerous TV appearances and is the author of two books - Man of the Month Club (Quercus) and Extreme Motherhood - The Triplet Diaries (Macmillan).