Today is exactly 4 years since my first novel, The Englishman, was published. I remember that day pretty well – I’d pressed the ‘publish now’ button the night before and in the morning as I woke, I saw from Amazon that the book was available to buy. What a feeling that was! To celebrate, the Englishman and I went for breakfast in a local cafe in Crouch End. Here is a picture of me on that day – complete with dark circles around my eyes from several late nights battling with the formatting of the novel.
Now, four years and another 4 books later, as I think back to the first heady days after publication, when the book sales exceeded all my expectations, I wish I’d had more belief in myself and made the decision to become full-time author/entrepreneur sooner. But, looking back with regret is a mug’s game, so instead, I am proud of myself for having achieved what I have to date. I am now an Indie Author through and through, and as well as having a novel, The Good Officer, about to come out (you can preorder it here 😉 ), in the last twelve months I’ve published two books, The Finnish Girl and The Navy Wife. That’s pretty good for me since all the other novels took a whole two years to write!
On top of that I now act as a mentor for several wonderful, ambitious and talented people, something which I enjoy more than I could ever have imagined. I’m also Nordic Ambassador and Publications Editor for the Alliance of Independent Authors, an organisation without which I couldn’t have done any of this indie author lark. As aside, my auto-spell frequently corrects it to ‘Alliance of Indecent Authors’ which I think could be a catchier name?
But in all seriousness, if you are an aspiring author, or already published, do check ALLi out. As well as a lively and supportive Facebook group, there is a plethora of invaluable advice on the blog, and as a member you get discounts from companies such as the publishing platform and printing service, Ingramspark, to name but one! There is also a list of approved suppliers, and monthly ‘Ask ALLi’ Q&A sessions online. Click on the banner below for more info!
But back to my anniversary. You may find some, not so indecent (I hope), but celebratory pictures of me on Instagram later today, because I can feel a glass or two of Prosecco coming on … (somebody alert the Englishman).
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