Guilty secret counting down to launch...

You know I said I wasn’t going to keep checking my Amazon ranking? Cancel that…

I have discovered the most ridiculous and addictive game. Sorry. I know it’s vain and silly and I am embarrassed even to admit to it here but in my defence I have been waiting for this author launch lark for a very long time and I learn that there are more unexpected “you are kidding me” moments…

It all began when my novel suddenly popped up on Amazon’s “Hot new releases” chart at number two in literary women’s fiction. Don’t quite know how or why….a surge in pre-order sales one particular day. Something like that.

Anyway. The point is I started to find my novel on all sorts of lists and charts, nestled up against novels and authors I really admire. Even big name authors who sell zillions of books. I can only describe this realisation as similar to the day I was handed a costume to wear with the name tag Glenda Jackson. I should probably  explain…

I used to work in television news for the BBC and one Children in Need they decided to dress me as Elizabeth the First (don’t ask). The costume duly arrived from BBC HQ with Glenda’s name tag…I’d interviewed her when she became an MP so it was another  “I don’t believe it” fan moment,.

You see when you are a journalist working in television you never really see yourself as any kind of celebrity – local or otherwise. At least I didn’t. Just a hack. So I was often embarrassingly star struck.

There was this other time I was invited to a big BBC dinner in London and found myself queuing for the loo with Delia Smith. I tried to act cool but it was ridiculous. Delia Smith!!

And that’s what this feels like now. My little debut popping up alongside all sorts of big name books and authors. Really?  Ridiculous. Surreal. Wonderful. And I admit it…..just a little bit addictive. So forgive me my delusions but I'm off to see who else I may be rubbing shoulders with ...at least temporarily. Need to be very quick as for a few moments Jojo Moyes is on the shelf above....

---