Four things I’ve learned
It’s been nearly a month since my debut novel launched on Ebook and audio, and here are four things I’ve learned:
Launching a book during lockdown is even stranger than writing one. Although I’ve never launched a book under any circumstances, so I guess it’s hard to make a proper comparison. Maybe everything just feels a bit strange and unfamiliar right now.
Being a published author is still blowing my mind. A year ago this month I started writing my first novel with no clue what I was doing and no expectation of it ever being published. Now that book is out in the wild and I’ve written two others. Some days I’m incredibly proud of myself, others I feel like the biggest chancer of all time. Nothing new there, then.
Listening to your own audiobook is the most bizarre sensation. It took me weeks to pluck up the courage to press start on Audible, but actually it’s really nice to hear someone else read your book out loud.
People are lovely. I never imagined that total strangers would take the time and effort to write a review or message me to say how much they enjoyed my book. Nor did I have any idea how supportive the online writer community would be. It’s a source of daily joy.
In eight weeks Two Metres From You is out on paperback, and I get to do this all again. The past twelve months has been the best and worst of times for a whole bunch of reasons. But WHAT an extraordinary ride.