Hot Stuff

Whew...

Got back from Corsica yesterday where it was HOT. About 36 C in the shade every day. Far too sizzling to do anything except hot-foot it over the sand to the sea for a gentle swim or watch Mr Bennet windsurf or drink chilled rose wine. Therefore Mr B comes back tanned and toned and I come back tanned and about 5lbs heavier.

I also return more chilled and relaxed than I have been for ages even though I did write about 15,000 words of my new book, sitting on the beach, longhand. It's set in Corsica and there was ample inspiration. I even went for a dip in a mountain pool as research which was far more pleasant than abseiling on a wet BH Monday.

I also returned to find the page proofs of Decent Exposure in the post. Even though we got back late I had to look at them there and then. I think seeing my book in print at last was even more exciting than seeing the cover. I’ll try and post an extract very soon and also, hopefully, my website will be up and running. There was even an ad for one Julie Cohen at the back…

While I’ve been away. Little Black Dress has launched its website …it's great fun and very light-hearted so please visit www.littleblackdressbooks.co.uk to find out all about this gorgeous new imprint. The first books are in the shops now and the launch is being featured in the press.

I’ve also been invited by the very nice people at Ottakars in Sutton Coldfield to do a signing and take part in a New Writers Night in October. Dates and details of this event and the two launches, North and South, will be posted soon.

Happily, I returned to two rather nice cheques - one was from Jenny Haddon, chair of the RNA, with my returned NewWriters Scheme sub which I never got to use this year because I got published. (Big smiley) She also sent a lovely note congratulating me on becoming a full member. The other was my advance. Whoop, scream, rushes off to buy the entire Chelsea team and Chawton House.

On a final note I am having great trouble editing the links on this blog so here are some now!

www.littleblackdressbooks.co.uk

www.madaboutbooks.co.uk/ - The main Headline site for readers and authors

http://www.nelldixon.com/home.aspx - friend, author and book marketing guru and tea room expert

http://jessicaraymond.blogspot.com/ - ditto!

http://www.rna-uk.org/

And last but not least...to order your very own Will, sans clothes, click here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0755334612/026-7154101-8629239?v=glance&n=266239