Fatal attraction

March 2, 2009

It’s Monday and I have a big smile on my face because it’s Publication Week. Hurrah!

Now, I suppose if I ever got famous and had my own publicist – and actually, I do PR so know what I should be doing – I would wander around telling everyone that the new book is amazing, fantastic and brilliant. Wow! See my fabulous five-star reviews? Oh, squee, my editor says I’m a genius. My agent says I can do no wrong. Queue there for an autograph, please.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Some of those things occasionally happen to me in a roundabout way but never all at once. At some point during writing a book (usually for about two weeks), you do love the book – and then reality and your editor and agent bite. The rest of the time, you have to work your socks off to make the book the best you can. The best you can is all you can do and then you can only hope.

Shall I let you into a secret? Most authors are terrified and excited in equal measure by the time a book comes out. I am, anyway. The bizarre thing is that by now, most authors are also one or even two books ahead. Suddenly your last book pops up like Glenn Close out of a bath tub. Only smiling and hopefully holding a bouquet and a bottle of Champagne. 🙂

Not everyone will love your baby. Oh no. Gulp. But I shall take the advice of the fabulous Liz Fielding who told me recently that it’s a good thing if your book arouses strong opinions and the worst thing is to have your baby ignored. (I’ll let you know, Liz…)

PS Don’t forget. Joint launch with Nell Dixon at Waterstones, Merry Hill on Saturday March 7th 12-2pm.

Comments

1. On March 2nd, 2009 at 11:21 am
   Nell Dixon Says:
   

   Hugs, yep excited and terrified combined sums it up. It’s like being perched just before the drop on a big rollercoaster.

2. On March 2nd, 2009 at 11:39 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Nell – it’s a very long way down…

   P x

3. On March 2nd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
   Elizabeth Hanbury Says:
   

   Enjoy, ladies – the launch will be great!

   Did you know you both ISHBM and AI have appeared in the Amazon hot future releases romance list? It may have changed by the time you see this – the list is updated hourly – but you were both definitely there…above Nora Roberts 🙂

4. On March 3rd, 2009 at 5:25 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Liz – hey that’s great news.