Before I was lucky enough to land a book deal for my debut psychological thriller, I’d imagined the period spent after signing with a publisher would be a magical, sparkling time. Excitement and champagne bubbling. Each morning marking off the days until publication on a calendar. Afternoons spent frolicking in a field. Threading daisies into chains and biting into wild strawberries. The sun beating down from a blue cloudless sky. The smell of freshly cut grass lingering in the air.
That is not what happened. At. All.
After editing, it has been straight into writing book two, with barely a breath, and book one, The Sister, has faded slowly into the background where it’s become not quite real to me, despite its looming publication date. A vague memory of something I once did.
Until yesterday.
When my doorbell chimed I bounded to answer it with all the enthusiasm of our spaniel as she chases a ball. I was, after all, waiting for a delivery from Naked Wines.
‘Where do you want them?’ The UPS guy asked, three large cardboard boxes at his feet. I had a momentary panic. I was expecting six bottles. How much had I ordered? But it was hot. I was thirsty, and so I asked him to bring them inside.
On the breakfast bar, I sliced open the first box, but as I reached inside my fingers didn’t connect with cool glass bottles. Instead the box was packed full of paperback books. My books. And it was so unexpected I felt physically winded.
As I stood silently in my kitchen a myriad of emotions washed over me. My first thought was the one person I wanted to show my book too, more than anyone else in the world was no longer here. I felt sorrow tempered with joy. Exhilaration mingled with despair. And then a creeping sense of pride. I’d done it. Despite the physical pain I endure when I write. Despite the loss I’ve experienced during this process. The story of Grace is now in print, and when, half an hour later, the wine did arrive, I felt I really had something to celebrate.
The Sister is due to be published on 7th July. The ebook is still available to pre-order for the very special price of 99p, the paperback is £8.99 and, from July, it will also be available as an audio book. Find on Amazon UK or Amazon US.
Congratulations, Louise!
Thanks Josslyn.
You’re welcome! 🙂
Amazing journey for you Louise and lovely photo. Hope you enjoyed the wine too X
Thanks Rebecca. Their wine is always SO good.
Congratulations! 🙂
Thanks Donna x
You deserve this so much! You are an amazing writer and I am so proud of you and happy to see The Sister in print. Well done Bud, crack open a bottle for me. xxx
Thanks honey. Really appreciate all your support xxx
I bet that wine tasted better than it ever had
It did!
Wonderful! Love this! And your book is absolutely FAB! Wishing you and The Sister every success! XXX
Congratulations. i know the feeling – same here when my first novel Beyond Blood was published. Only difference is the publisher actually delivered copies to my door. Like you I am still busy promoting BB while rewriting the next one in the series.
Hope you are having a book launch as that is a good way to not only sell book copies but to connect with other authors and readers – sometime they are the same people.
Cheers.
Sharon
Thanks for reading Sharon. It’s a whirlwind isn’t it? Loving every second though. Good luck with Beyond Blood.
Massive congratulations, Louise.
Thanks Fiona x
Fab long may your success reign (loved the book)
Thanks so much.
Did the wine come too? Then you could celebrate twice.
It did although we may need to reorder soon…
I’m so glad you’re already well into writing your second book as the first one is so amazing. Congratulations on your paperback copies arriving and I hope your book is as popular as it deserves.
Thanks so much Rebecca and thanks for taking the time to leave me such a lovely review. It’s much appreciated. Second book is going well I think.
Conflicting priorities there, but I’m sure the right one won out. Bring a copy with you next week – just so I can touch it, I already have it on pre-order for my Kindle
I will! Look forward to catching up.
Congratulations… That waiting sounds so very hard to bear.
I’m not the most patient of people…
Congratulations, Louise. What a thrill. 🙂 — Suzanne
It’s very exciting Suzanne – thanks.
It’s on pre-order! 31st on the Kindle bestseller list too (atm), congratulations x
Thanks Lisa. Appreciate your support.