Glass Houses is out there!

It's a strange concept to think that Tori, Etta and all the cast of Glass Houses have broken free from my pc and are now out there, in book form, making their own way in the world. Obviously, now all I can do is hope that they, and their plight, are well-received. Meanwhile, I've been having a ball on their behalf.

We launched Glass Houses at my local pub last week and I have to say, the evening was right up there with the top nights in my life. Everyone's enthusiasm and support for this book, including those who could be there and those who couldn't, well, it touched my heart.

The realisation...

That isn't to say that the evening didn’t go by without incident (this is me, we're talking about) and let's just say, that this is what I've learnt for next time:

- There is no need to thank the bar staff's dog walker or the trees which were chopped down to make the book.

- Do consult index cards for reminders of the essential aspects of the speech

- Don't stop your speech half way through because you fear you're rambling (the damage is already done)

...I think I'm forgiven... also note amused friend on right!

- Do continue until you have thanked your mum, publisher and husband…

Oh dear.

Still, the 150 cupcakes looked cute with their Glass Houses wafers, if you don't mind me saying, the Glass Houses cake (my only role was in its commission) was so impressive and the 'posh pizza nibbles' provided by he who shall always now be called, 'My Wonderful Publisher' in an attempt at atonement - it is also true - went down very well. My husband's impromptu speech set up beautifully by my omission of his long-suffering support, had a touch of brilliance and will always make me smile.

You know, even though my husband, friends and family find it fairly hilarious, I think I'll always cringe with a touch of sadness that on the day, I bizarrely forgot to thank three particularly important people, not to mention my sisters who are always rushing up and down the motorway to help and generally buzz with excitement. But you know, nobody else seems to mind and my overriding memory of the evening and of this whole publishing process will be the overwhelming support and generosity of spirit of everyone: my friends, friends of friends, family, wider family, students and my fantastically warm community.  

Oh, and we also sold over 70 books – and with people bringing pre-ordered copies, I feel sure I signed over 100. To all who have bought a copy, thank you! I truly hope you'll enjoy the read (and a tear or two would make me very happy, too).

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 9^th 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 9^th 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.

Blasting Stories for Homes

Today is Book Blast day for Stories for Homes, an anthology of short stories by published and aspiring writers, loosely based around the theme of 'home'. As the days and nights get colder and the world a little more sparkly in the fortnight running up to Christmas - for some - there will be 80,000 children homeless in this country. And that's not to mention their parents. All profits from the sale of Stories for Homes go directly to the housing charity, Shelter. All monies will help support their Christmas campaign to help find accommodation for some of these homeless people. We're hoping for record sales today.

My copies: arrived this morning!

The paperback (just launched) and eBook are both available here -Click to buy Stories for Homes. The paperback, a whopping 600 pages, retails at £14.99 but is £12.44 while it's so high up the charts (did I mention it has five stars...??) Maybe you need a couple? They're a great Christmas present for the book worms in your family. Or a guilt-free present to yourself, perhaps? A word of warning: a kettle and box of tissues are a pre-requisite to reading but don't worry, you'll be tittering away as well.


For the beady eyed amongst you, I have posted on Stories for Homes before. Please click here to see how I came to be involved.


And finally, for my London friends, Stories for Homes is being launched at The Bookseller, Crow on the Hill, SE London from 6pm this Friday 13th December. Drinks and giggles will be a-plenty if I know the wonderful driving force behind the book of Debi Alper and Sally Swingewood. For my northern friends, watch this space as we're hoping to organise similar up here :)