Happy 1st Birthday, Plus One is a Lucky Number

On this day, one year ago, I fulfilled my dream of becoming a published author.

Plus One is a Lucky Number (aka its working title The Wedding Favour) was released as an eBook with Harper Collins' imprint, Harper Impulse on Thursday 29th August 2013. They placed it in their Rom Com/Chick Lit category, and I remember worriedly asking my new editor, Charlotte Ledger, "Is it funny enough?"



Apparently it does have gentle humour throughout. And with 28 reviews on Amazon, the majority of them being four or five stars, I've hopefully done something right. I've had mums in the playground stop and tell me they couldn't put my book down.

Me, Jane, Lorraine & Charlotte - Oct '13 Harper Impulse Party

The lovely thing is that I've joined Harper Impulse with three other members from my Bath & Wiltshire RNA chapter meeting - Lorraine Wilson, Jane Lark and Charlotte Phillips. So I haven't gone in it alone, and they're good sounding boards when I'm not sure about something.

First book signing - 9th Aug 2014

Only recently I actually held my first book signing at Waterstones in Weston-super-Mare. It was a fabulous afternoon with a lot of support from fellow writers and good friends. I blogged about it on the Harper Impulse blog here.

In this year, I have obsessed over reviews and Amazon rankings, even though we're told not to. I've seen it released in paperback (8th May 2014), I've attended the RNA Summer party as a contender for the Joan Hessayon Award.  I've even had cocktails at the Ritz!

Joan Hessayon Contenders - RNA Summer Party May 2014

I have also learnt I will never tire of these two words said together: My editor.

Plus One is a Lucky Number is dedicated to Elizabeth Charles and Star Ostgard. These two women, way back in 2006, encouraged me to start writing. If they hadn't, I wouldn't be here. I'd be somewhere, frustrated and bored... Now I know the voices in my head are normal.

Thank you x

RNA Summer Party Quick Report

My cocktail: Cesar Punch

As I've been on holiday, and have a mountain of things to catch up on (including the washing and ironing) I thought I would just do a very quick blog post to tell you about the RNA Summer Party.

It was soooo much fun :)

Sue, me and Charlotte

Firstly, I met my editor (I will never tire of those two words together) Charlotte Ledger and Sue Fortin for cocktails at the Ritz.

Then, running a teeny bit late, (nothing to do with me taking photos of the very pink powder room) we headed to the summer party so that Sue and I could have our official photo taken!

Official photo of the Joan Hessayon contenders

Receiving my award.

I met new faces, and faces that I knew through social media but had never met, and old faces, friends I'd made at the RNA Conference in 2011 and were able to catch up with (because I hadn't seen them since).

It really was a lovely evening and I didn't get to talk to as many writers/friends as I had hoped. Apologies to those I missed!

I was awarded a certificate and a prize (which I really wasn't expecting). Lining up was very nerve-racking. And luckily, Pia Fenton didn't do a X Factor style announcement of the winner. She announced it quickly to put us out of our misery. :)

Sue & I with our certificates

The winner was Jo Thomas with her début novel The Oyster Catcher. More news on the winner here.

I think my favourite part of the evening was being introduced by Charlotte to a lot of her Mills and Boon colleagues and friends as 'one of her authors'. I won't ever tire of that phrase either.

Fab fab evening! Chatted on the train all the way to Egham to some poor guy heading out to Reading. Hope he didn't think I was bonkers with my pink nails, pink dress, pink handbag and pink shoes. Can't wait for the RNA Conference. My pack has arrived. I must fill it out. If you're going, see you there. :)

The Count Down Starts

Hand bag purchased - large enough to carry my shoes, dress ironed last night, and today I've had my hair cut and highlighted. I think I'm ready! And Thursday morning, before getting on my train, I will be getting my nails painted... (the gel sort that dry instantly - don't panic!) and then off to London for the RNA summer party I go!

Super excited! And anyone who has seen me in real life, knows how I get excited. :)

I'm meeting my editor and the lovely Sue Fortin at Green Park to go to the Ritz for celebratory cocktails prior. It's all very exciting stuff. Must make sure I don't spill chocolate, coffee or my sandwich or anything basically down my dress when on the train.

If you haven't already gathered, I am a contender for the Joan Hessayon Award with my début novel Plus One is a Lucky Number. And the winners will be announce at the summer party.

I feel nervous, thrilled, and at the same time I know it will be an experience of a life time. I can't wait to meet lots of lovely authors and their pretty shoes. Good job I'm not shy :)

How many times can I use the word exciting/excited in one blog post?

I think I need Tom dancing to help me celebrate and wish us all luck, don't you?

Exciting News! RNA Joan Hessayon Award Contender!

Finally, I can share my secret!

I've known way before Christmas. I've known before my book was actually published way back in August that I would be a contender for the RNA's Joan Hessayon Award.

It's been really hard not to shout about this exciting bit of news!

Basically, Plus One is a Lucky Number went through the New Writers' Scheme, (as The Wedding Favour) and was my first book to get published, so it makes me eligible for the award. I found this all out when I transferred my membership from New Writers' scheme to full RNA member.

The winner will be announced at the RNA Summer Party. At first I wasn't sure if I could afford to attend, then a complimentary ticket dropped through my door, and I had no excuses. I booked my train yesterday!

Now I just need to think about a dress - ideally one that won't crinkle on the train! - and sensibly but sexy shoes (I've seen the photos at the RNA parties... there are lots of pictures of shoes!).

Fellow Harper Impulse author, Sue Fortin is also a contender, so it's going to be exciting for both of us! It will mean I get to meet my editor, Charlotte Ledger and the rest of the fabulous Harper Impulse team again.

There are seventeen in all... a record number...  some names and faces I recognise from the RNA conference in 2011. Here is the list:

Celia J Anderson, Sweet Proposal, Piakus

Elaine Everest, Grace's War, Pulse

Helena Fairfax, The Silk Romance, MuseItUp

Sue Fortin, United States of Love, Harper Impulse

Kathryn Freeman, Too Charming, Choc Lit

Jessica Gilmore, The Return of Mrs Jones, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Laura E James, Truth or Dare? Choc Lit

Jennie Jones, The House on Burra Burra Lane, Harlequin Australia

Alison May, Sweet Nothing, Choc Lit

Teresa F. Morgan, Plus One is a Lucky Number, Harper Impulse

Jane O'Reilly, Once a Bad Girl, Escape

Helen Phifer, The Ghost House, Carina UK

Jill Steeples, Desperately Seeking Heaven, Carina UK

Jo Thomas, The Oyster Catcher, Accent Press

Lin Treadgold, Goodbye Henrietta Street, Safkhet Publishing

Susan Willis, Yes Chef, No Chef, Endeavour

Jennifer Young, Thank You For The Music, Tirgearr 

Author photos and their books can be found here. 

We're all winners as we have all had our first book published by fabulous publishers. This just is a lovely boost to our career and writing.