The Book Launch

Hi guys!
I know I've been super quiet lately and have been terrible at actually writing blog posts which has left you with just song of the day updates each day.
I know, I know. I am so sorry. Between no electricity at my house, work and events there's not been much online time. It feels like forever since I last properly updated this blog.

I realised that, although I document everything to do with my writing, I haven't written anything about my recent book launch and wanted to discuss the experience with you.

It has now been two weeks since the book launch so I'm here to share my thoughts and to recount the experience.

So I left work around 4:30, returned some library books and grabbed lunch, and got on a train to London around 5:30. I got into London and got on my coach at 7:30. I was on that coach until almost 1:30AM the next morning. It was a long, gruelling trip. It was just  six hours of driving in the dark. I managed to chill out and listen to an audiobook whilst sending a ridiculous amount of Snapchats to pass the time. My partner collected me from Huddersfield station in the early hours of the morning and when we got back my head hit the pillow and I slept like a mad woman.

When I woke up later that morning, the day of the launch, I was filled with excitement and dread. The dread came from the knowledge that I would have to do a reading of my work later that evening. I hadn't even held a copy of my book yet. I was terrified of opening it and finding some terrible error that none of us had actually noticed until that point. I'm very good at thinking up new and utterly irrational worries at the last minute.

I had the day mostly to myself and so I tried to do all the things I'd missed about Huddersfield: I walked along the canal, visited my old university, had a pint in some of my favourite bars. I was heartbroken to find out that my favourite book store had closed down which took about half an hour of sad pining and then I moved on to the Huddersfield Art Gallery. It was a beautiful day. I even had to buy sunglasses because it was a rare day of warmth in Yorkshire.

Then the evening came. I was in a bar around the corner from the cafe that would host the book launch. I was waiting for a few friends to arrive. I had time to catch up with two of them before I had to dash off to rehearse. What came next was all a bit of a rush. I was introduced to the marvellous editing team who had overseen all the behind the scenes stuff for my book. I was re-united with my publisher and my university tutors. Not long afterwards a reporter came down needing photos of all the authors and a copy of my book was handed over to me so I could be photographed holding it. That was it. That was the moment I first held a tangible, real copy of my book. I'm sure the photographer has some photos of me looking really stupid holding that book. I was so utterly dumbstruck. It was a "dream come true" kind of moment. I turned to my author friend Simon Crump and asked "Is this what it's like to hold your first born child?"
He replied "No."
Safe to say neither of us have kids...

The readings went well. I started with a joke as I went up:
"I only got to see my copy of the book today so I don't even know which page the story is on."
People laughed at my jokes and when I read my stories they would "Ooh" and "aah" in all the right places. I feel the event was a success. The place was packed. I even spotted a few of my old university tutors from other modules. It meant so much to me that so many people turned up. I was supported by a small crowd of friends I'd met through university and I felt so blessed and so thankful for their presence there that night. I got to sign a few copies of my book and speak to fellow writers whilst watching my pile of books slowly decrease as the night went on.

In the end my editor, friends and university tutors all went out for dinner and drinks at my favourite bar and talked away until the early hours of the morning. It was magical. I had to call it a night at around 2am because I had to make a university appearance the next day.

That morning I went into my alma mater to speak to creative writing students about my student experience, getting published and my work. I then got to read from my book. It was pretty cool and probably the closest I've ever really felt to being a celebrity. Then I spent the day with my partner, drinking coffee and making bad puns, until I had to get a coach down south. It really was a whirlwind trip.

Since the release I've had so many kind, positive reviews and comments from people and it has truly warmed my heart. It may be a little while longer until the book is released onto the Kindle but that's kind of out of our hands. I'm not sure how to feel knowing that my grandparents and family members have all read my book. I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity and am now working on my next project: a full novel. Expect it to be finished by 2015. Thanks go out to everyone who has bought my humble little book, you are helping to make my dream come true.

Click here to buy a copy of 'A Call In The Night'
Click here to read the first review of the short story collection.
ISBN Number:

• ISBN-10: 095630995X
• ISBN-13: 978-0956309952

Oh, and if that didn't do it, click here for this blog post in vlog format.