BOOK TRAILER

For those of you who like your visual and aural senses piqued, here's a trailer for the novel. It works best with the sound up loud.

LAUNCH PARTY

I've been rather indisposed since the launch of the novel, back spasms rendering any sort of movement impossible. On the plus side I am now an expert in prescription painkillers.

It was lovely a evening, wonderful to see so many people there - makes the years of isolation (almost) worth it.

So here are some pics. (© Richard Wright)

Obviously table was empty later.

Don't be fooled by how well behaved they look.

Who am I again?

Shame to waste any.

Really not sure about the waistcoat.

Didn't last long. Had to send out for more.

Next to the lift, case it all goes wrong.

WHAT LIES WITHIN ON TOUR

Next week is publication and launch day for the novel. If you're near Plymouth on the 25th, do come along (see invite couple of posts down). If not there will be plenty of chances to grab a free copy on my blog tour in the coming weeks, so here's where I'll be appearing / chatting about the book. 

Kicking things off on April 22nd will be the lovely Dovegreyreader, where I talk about why I set the novel on Dartmoor. There's a prize draw here with 5 copies of What Lies Within given away.

Next, on publication day itself (April 25th), I'm over at the inimitable Scott Pack's blog, where I challenge you to name some famous novels by their first lines.

On April 27th I'm interviewed by the gifted Jen Campbell, who will also be giving a book away.

What Lies Within will be Book of the Month here in May, with an interview too.

And the brilliant Tania Hershman is my host on June 3rd, while on June 10th I'm with the wonderful Vanessa Gebbie, where we'll discuss, among other things, writing from a female perspective. Again more giveaways here.

Do pop along, say hello, ask a question, win a book. You know you want to.

LAWS FOR A LITERARY LIFE AND OTHER ALLITERATIONS

There are no other alliterations, I just liked the sound of it.

1. Where before you had real-life, flesh and bone friends, 93% of your social life will now occur online.

2. Hemingway said in order to write you just need to sit at a desk and open a vein. In case you’re tempted, remember this is a metaphor.

3. Most of your best ideas will surface at 4am, when you don’t have pen and paper on your bedside table.

4. To get a publishing deal you need an agent. To get an agent it helps if you have been published.

5. In the morning, yesterday’s words that you regarded sublime, will seem mediocre. Or worse. 

6. In the morning, yesterday’s words that you regarded mediocre, will seem worse.

7. Everyone you meet at parties (ha, like you get to go to parties) will be either writing a novel, be about to, or know someone who is. Do not despair (see #2).

8. Nobody will notice or care if you grow a beard. This goes for men also.

9. When you think you’ve finished the book, it’s time to start the real work on it.

10. Coffee and biscuits are the other 7% of your friends (see #1).

11. Dividing money earned into hours spent will end badly (see #2).

12. There are some lovely and wonderful fellow writers out there. You will never meet them.

13. When you send your manuscript to your agent or editor after two years of blood, sweat and tears, a glorious warm feeling rises within you. This lasts for ninety seconds. Move on to the next book.

14.  Nobody understands what you really do. Except other writers (whom you will never meet) and the cat.