One of the great things about being an author is meeting other authors. I have made many wonderful friends along the way. We commiserate when it all goes wrong and celebrate the good times together.

This week was a celebratory one as I was invited to three book launches.
Stuffed by Miriam Halahmy
Banished by Liz de Jager
Girl With a White Dog by Anne Booth

I wasn’t able to make it to Portsmouth to see Miriam but we have a date lined up for a celebration in the near future and I can’t wait to read ‘Stuffed’ the final book in her Hayling cycle. Miriam binds contemporary issues into gripping narratives of friendship and self discovery like no one else.

Liz’s launch was held at Foyles, Charing Cross Road. It was buzzing with bloggers, authors, librarians and agents. Liz knows everyone! Or maybe everyone know’s Liz? Anyway I’m thrilled to know Liz and look forward to reading ‘Banished’.

Anne Booth and I share an agent, Anne Clark (the other Anne or ‘My Anne’ as I call her at home) and we both consider ourselves very lucky.

I think ‘Girl with a White Dog’ is going to do great things. On the surface a simple story, but with amazing hidden depths.
Jessie is struggling to make sense of the changing world around her. Gran’s dementia. Migrant workers hanging around at bus stops. A cousin who’s developed a mean streak. Yet through this delightful narrative Jessie, makes up her own mind about the world and the different people within it. It’s an amazing book full of real characters up against it in their own way but succeeding to do the best they can in difficult circumstances. You may have guessed I’ve finished it already. In fact I couldn’t put it down.
So congratulations to my three friends and anyone else who had a book launch this week. I’ve got another 6 months to go – can’t wait.