Sunday 29 May 2016

Raising Stories and Editing Children

Today I waved my baby off to independence.

I've fed it, tended to it and watched it gain weight with relief. I've fiddled and fussed, re-dressed and polished, stood back and, sometimes, admired. I've pulled out foreign bodies with a fine tooth comb. I've had sleepless nights and early mornings, eschewed friends when it was ailing or in need of attention. I've enjoyed gold-dust criticism and selfless help (thank you dutiful readers, truly, thank you) and even accepted the odd prize on its behalf. I've had days when I've wondered what it's all about, this unending, thankless task, and asked whether I was cut out for the job. I've wittered about whether I've done enough to prepare it, if I've sought enough advice, read enough books, been on enough courses. I've dressed it up, packed it off, hailed it back, waved it off again and stayed up fretting—

But I've always enjoyed the ride.

This is the last time I will see my story like this. This is the last pdf version, the closest representation of it in book form, the last chance to raise an eyebrow, question its appearance, because the next time I see my baby, it will be a fully grown book.

And so, in every parent's life there comes a point when we have to let our books go; give them wings and let them fly. It's gone, it's flown and I can do no more. On the 9th June Glass Houses will make its official public appearance and now that my baby is finally out of my grasp I can't help feeling just a little bit ridiculously excited.


Glass Houses will be published on June 9th and is available to pre-order from Amazon and Urbane Publications.

Wonderful readers, join me for the official launch of Glass Houses at the beginning of July? Further details coming very soon.


12 comments:

  1. This is so exciting, can't wait to see the book in print and if it half as good as Tea and Chemo it deserves to go right to the top of the best seller lists immediately.

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  2. Thanks Lyn, that's a truly lovely thing to say :) And yes, wouldn't that be nice!!??!!

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  3. I agree SOOOOO exciting - can't wait to read it! Congratulations and getting in to book form !

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    1. Thanks so much :) Everyone's support here and over on FB and Twitter is wonderful!

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  4. That is brilliant Jackie. have already ordered my copy and can't wait to read it.

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    1. Thanks Carole, I do hope you enjoy it! And guess what arrived today??

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  5. Well done. This is a great achievement - especially considering all your have been through. Well deserved!

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    1. Thanks Lindsay, that's really kind! How are you?

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  6. My pride for you just gets bigger and bigger every day i swear...WOW!

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    1. Bless you, Emily. Not as proud as I am of you! Looking forward to getting show tickets :)

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  7. "And so, in every parent's life there comes a point when we have to let our books go; give them wings and let them fly.
    It's gone, it's flown and I can do no more."

    Congratulations!

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  8. Thank you! And thanks for reading :)

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