An amazing gift, from the super talented Darren Craske:

Did you even miss me or even realise that I was gone?

I am back from what was the most amazing trip, as in the trip of a lifetime to Los Angeles! (Yes, you read that right! LA, yes me! And yes, the kiddies and G came along too!). I still honestly can’t believe that we were invited or that it all happened! Things like this/like that don’t happen to us (although clearly they do because they did… oh you know what I mean!)

Today I’m struggling with jet lag and it’s Littlest’s birthday and Eldest has gone to France with his school and I’ve done an event (hope I wasn’t rubbish!) and I’ve SO MUCH to tell you… so do bear with me over the next few days.

For now, I just need to say thank you, thank you, thank you Xbox, for inviting us to attend the launch of Kinect as part of our role as an Xbox Ambassador (along with 4 other amazing bloggers and their families). And another heartfelt thank you to the very beautiful Kerry at Digital Outlook, because she is the maker of dreams-coming-true.

More soon.

You all know just how overwhelmed and grateful I am with the amazing support that people have given so far. You lot are utterly fabulous but… (and believe me I’ve struggled with myself about whether or not to write this blog post, but I also know that I get one shot at this, so…)

Like Bees to Honey is officially published TODAY and this blog post is all about me asking for your help. I’m trying not to cringe, honest, because asking for help isn’t something I like to do (some say proud, others say foolish). But I also know that this time I need and want to reach new readers. So, if you will, I’d really and truly appreciate your help…

Ways you could help:

- Review Like Bees to Honey on Amazon, as well as Waterstones.com, Facebook or anywhere else you have accounts. The more buzz,  the better the chance of the book getting noticed.

- Ask in your local bookshop if they have the book in stock. You don’t actually need to buy it, but a regular stream of people asking will keep it high in the minds of booksellers.

- Tweet as you’re reading it (there is a #likebeestohoney tag). This would let your followers know you’re enjoying it (assuming you are!).

- Spread the word. Word of mouth is more important than anything. Read the book in public, on the bus, on the tube, tell strangers on the street… you never know, it might just reach the right person (although I’m not sure who that might be!)

- Buy Like Bees to Honey (with free overseas postage here). I know it’s an obvious one, but you might possibly enjoy it. I’d happily send out a signed or personalised postcard to anyone who hasn’t had the chance to get me to sign a book.

I know that this blog post and today’s tweets will mean that some of you will get cross and stop following me on twitter or here on this blog (oh yes, I’ve lost quite a few followers this week!), but others will embrace this for what it is and understand that I’m just trying to build a buzz and give Like Bees to Honey wings (oh yes, the puns are flowing!).

(And for those new to this blog (hello!), here’s why I wrote about Malta and also a little bit more about Like Bees to Honey)

What a week, I mean what a truly amazing week!

In the past week I have given an after supper talk to Formby Ladies golf club, addressed a crowded  audience of over 100 people in Liverpool Waterstone’s and watched people drinking Cisk and laughing at the Big Green Bookshop in Wood Green.

I have giggled, restrained from crying, sang a duet of a JLS song and, most importantly, I have come away each time full of smiles because the events couldn’t have been any better than they were. And that’s simply because the people who came were there to celebrate, to embrace it all and that has left me humbled. It’s made me realise just how incredibly lucky I am to have so many people wishing me well.

At Formby Ladies Golf Club, I had supper at the Captain’s table and learned of a strong sense of community and of belonging. The ladies listened, asked intelligent questions and they made me feel utterly welcome.

My Liverpool launch was at Waterstone’s in Liverpool One. I think (after about 30 cancellations on the day) I expected maybe 15 people. Over 100 turned up! There were no seats left and people queued for me to sign their books. Queued, for me! My wonderful neighbour helped organise everything, she was amazing. I had a guest reader, a wonderful student called Lucy who read an especially written piece telling Nina’s back-story and reaction to being pregnant. The audience was filled with friends, smiley friends.

My London launch was last night, at the Big Green Bookshop in London. The venue was perfect, the owners made me giggle. Again there were cancellations, again I thought that no one would come and, again, I underestimated my beautiful friends.  By 7pm the shop was filled with people, many who I’d befriended online and they were ALL everything that I hoped they’d be. Cans of Cisk arrived from Malta (more on that another time!) and people experienced a taste that matched with the contents of the story.

And late last night, way past their bedtimes, my two boys were being dj (via Spotify), Littlest was showing her JLS inspired dance moves and I think that I have never ever felt happier. (Launch photos can be seen here)

And in amongst all of this, Like Bees to Honey is being read.  Stephanella interviewed me about my creative identity and reviewed Like Bees to Honey. And over on Amazon, one reviewer says:

The themes of loss, guilt and redemption are powerful. I also find the book a unique exploration of religion and of the perception of religion. You will never think of Jesus in the same light once you have read it! Through Nina’s physical and spiritual journey some of the more damaging and guilt inducing elements of religious belief are challenged.

The other impact the book has had on me is that I am mad keen to visit Malta now! Malta is so acutely observed throughout the novel, almost becoming a character all of its own. It is somewhere I knew little of before picking up this book…

Another:

Caroline Smailes possesses a lyrical voice that is both spellbinding and utterly unique. I can think of no one else who plays so effortlessly and effectively with words and space. Nor can I imagine anyone else depicting Jesus with painted toenails and a love of reality TV. `Like Bees to Honey’ is truly stunning. A deeply human tale of love, of loss – of living.

And, again, I am smiling because I’ve allowed myself to realise that some people really will ‘get’ this book. And that some people will connect with Jesus, will love Tilly and will hope for Nina.

I wish I could keep this feeling in a bubble.

Somehow, I’ve managed to keep this a secret but finally I can reveal all…

Today, one whole week before official publication, I am buzzing with excitement (the puns are apparently endless!). In what Mr Pack is claiming as a publishing first, I am thrilled that my ENTIRE new novel Like Bees to Honey is today being serialised across 32 very fabulous blogs and websites.

This means that you can hop between 32 websites and blogs, reading Like Bees to Honey chapter by chapter. Each host has a different chapter of the book displayed as an animated browse inside widget.  (It really is magic!) You can actually flick through the pages, without going off the blog or website, and you can see the proper words and format and everything.

The journey begins here, in this very short Chapter Zero…

And, before you nip off,  I’d like to say a HUGE thank you to those who have welcomed my words onto their websites and blogs:

Chapter 1:  Chasing Sheep

Chapter 2:  Helen Redfern

Chapter 3: My New Notebook

Chapter 4:  Jon Mayhew

Chapter 5:  L-Plate Author

Chapter 6:  Jamieson Wolf

Chapter 7:  Rowan Coleman

Chapter 8: Live. Love. Learn. Write.

Chapter 9:  Dave Roberts Books

Chapter 10:   Nik’s Blog

Chapter 11:    Fiction Is Stranger Than Fact

Chapter 12:  Kelly Railton

Chapter 13:    Megan Taylor

Chapter 14:    BubbleCow

Chapter 15:    Fluttering Butterflies

Chapter 16:    debs-daydreams in the shed

Chapter 17:    Matt Hill

Chapter 18:    Writing about writing

Chapter 19:     Not Only In Thailand

Chapter 20:     Password Incorrect

Chapter 21:    The trouser Press

Chapter 22:    Angie’s Write

Chapter 23:    Just Keep Writing and Other Thoughts

Chapter 24:    Tea Stains

Chapter 25:    Chez Aspie

Chapter 26:    40 Things to do before I’m 40

Chapter 27:    Being Lucy Diamond

Chapter 28:    Reallygood Thinking

Chapter 29:    Gemma Burgess

Chapter 30:    Sarah’s Writing Journal

Chapter 1 (and yes, it’s a different one):     Wordy Blog

And that’s it, I mean that’s really it, my words have wings, they’re flying across the world: Dubai, Bangkok, Poland, California, Yorkshire… and me, well I’m sitting here in my pjs, feeling like all the butterflies in my tummy are having a party. (I have such a way with words)

(Oh, and, before I forget, if anyone would like to actually buy a copy of Like Bees to Honey well that would be very very lovely too.

(The Book Depository offer free delivery worldwide)

For the last couple of weeks reviewers have been telling me that a copy of Like Bees to Honey has found its way to them. They’ve told me that and then I’ve worried when they haven’t mentioned it again, I’ve worried that every time they’ve seen my name they’ve been thinking, ‘That’s the lass who can’t write for toffee.’

But writers aren’t supposed to say these words out loud, are we? Instead (and yes I was told this when I first I started blogging) writers should be read and not ever heard. The ‘wise’ man’s warning was simple, that no writer should post their insecurities out into the world…

But why?

Why am I not allowed to say that I’m absolutely scared stiff no one will turn up for any of my events or that I’m truly terrified that EVERYONE will hate the novel?

Because not saying it doesn’t mean that it’s not there, that it’s not making me have stupid dreams about fish and pointy sticks. (I’m not supposed to say that either, am I?) Instead, I’m supposed to smile and nod my head, be ‘normal’ and pretend that I have all the confidence in the world.

Tonight I have my first event for Like Bees to Honey. It’s a private after supper talk to a large amount of women, none of whom I’ve ever met. I’ll have to stand up and talk about me and my books and writing, then maybe some of them will buy a copy of Like Bees to Honey. This event is so far outside of my comfort zone and those of you who’ve been on this journey with me will know just what a big deal it is.

But, and this is the important but, this is my third novel and I really wasn’t expecting to feel quite so scared.

I guess what I’ve realised is that it doesn’t seem to get any easier or less scary, just because I’ve experienced publication before. I haven’t stopped caring about the fate of my words and I don’t, not even slightly, take any of this amazing opportunity for granted. Getting Like Bees to Honey from first word to here has been such an overwhelming journey, full of squees (and tears at times). I honestly and truly feel proud of the end product AND that I’ve shared every step of it with you.

Which brings me to the point of this rambling blog post.

Regardless of how angsty and scared I’m feeling today, I wanted you to know that I’m so thankful to all of you who’ve commented and tweeted and supported me along this bouncy journey. You lot have made me feel like it’s OK to be me, you lot are all kinds of fabulous and you lot give the best advice ever.

Really, thank you.

As most of you know, Becky Adams is the talent behind my new front cover.

And because the world is really very small, Becky is going to be quite local to me with a major exhibition from March 27 until April 25 at Ruthin Craft Centre (in North Wales).

I’m very excited about meeting her and I’m very much looking forward to the exhibition. Becky creates from a mix of collected or (even) discarded things. She stitches things back together again, but differently. Her work tells stories, is full of narrative and she seeks to find beauty in the lost and everything about Becky’s creations offers respect.

I think she is a bit magic.

Becky will be giving workshops on Monday 29 March and Tuesday 30 March. I can’t find the details on Ruthin Craft Centre’s website, but you can call them for more details on 01824 704774.

And… ‘TALLULAH!’ a ‘zine by Laura Jane Williams has come to my attention.

Issue One provides twenty-four small pages of clever words and sarcasm and hand-drawn hearts and flowers and scribbles and misanthropy.

You can read such delights as, “Sometimes Everything Is Just Shit”: A Totally Fictional Story and An Open Letter to Stephanie Meyer, or: Why You Let Me and a Million Other Girls Down.

It’s funny, it fact it is exactly-my-kind-of-humour funny.

‘Tallulah!’ is limited edition  ( and Laura’s mum thinks it’s a bit dirty). It costs two British Pounds or Three American Dollars and all the details can be found here.

I don’t know Chris Cleave.

I’d read his books and raved about them here and here, I’d tweeted a few @ replies to him on twitter, but that was that. I mean the man is currently The New York Times #1 Best Seller (for the third week running) and I didn’t even think that he’d agree to read Like Bees to Honey.

But he did.

Chris is a mega busy man, with tours and festival appearances. My manuscript has flown around the world with him and this morning, just before he jetted back to America for the rest of his tour, he emailed me a quote for the cover.

“Haunting, heartfelt and beautiful.”  Chris Cleave, author of The Other Hand

I feel utterly humbled.

I couldn’t be any happier than I am at this moment, with the cover and the quote and the email that Chris sent me today. When someone you utterly admire says nice things, well those are the words that need to go on your wall, next to your desk and need to be read over and over again (until they become part of who you are).

For those who don’t know, Public Lending Right (PLR) ensures that authors receive payment for the loans of their books by public libraries in the UK. Authors register their books, payment is made annually and the ‘Rate Per Loan’ has now increased for the first time in three years to 6.29 pence per library loan. So, all you soon-to-be and almost-published writers, do remember to register as soon as you enter your year of publication and have an ISBN.

(squee!)

(it is magic money, possibly from the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow)