Please Remember

Television Interview

2007-09-14T02:39:00.000-07:00

I have today given my first television interview! Kydon TV, a Cretan television company, contacted me some time ago and asked for a copy of the book and subsequently, after one of their presenters read the novel, arranged today's interview.

I was, to say the least, nervous but fortunately the presenter, an English woman living here in Crete with her husband and son, did all she could to put me at ease. All went reasonably well when I was able to forget the camera, but as soon as I spotted it I felt myself going into panic mode. I guess this is quite natural and I do marvel at people who are, or appear to be, perfectly relaxed in front of the camera.

The tape will now be edited ready for airing in around two weeks time, maybe sooner. The interview will be featured in an English language programme (with Greek sub-titles) produced by Kydon TV - 'Crete News & Life', which is shown each day except Sundays and repeated the following morning. I'm not entirely sure if I will enjoy seeing myself on the television but it's too late to back out now.

Up-date 18.09.2007: I have just been notified that the interview is to be screened tomorrow night, Wednesday 19th September!!

First Review

2007-08-10T01:13:00.000-07:00

“What a great first book, it kept me hooked from the minute I started reading it. It arrived on Monday and I finished it on the tube this evening (Thursday) - and nearly missed my stop!! I was kept gripped to the very last page. If anyone is looking for something easy to read on their holiday, I'd definitely recommend Please Remember.” - Mrs Lynn Hall, London.

Received today the first review for the book, other than my mother’s glowing critique of course, and am pleased it is positive. I am well aware that there may follow some reviews of a negative nature and hope I am prepared for this.

Since launch a reasonable number of books have been sold in the UK, however, there does appear to be a problem outside the UK. Most bookstore websites declare they offer ‘international’ delivery but do not provide a postal service to Greece, and possibly other countries, as yet I have not established why - this does not apply if ordering direct from the publisher. As a result, I am now waiting for a batch of copies to arrive from England to enable me to fulfil orders here in Crete.

First Copy

2007-07-27T04:03:00.000-07:00

Today I received the first copy of my book! It was a very strange feeling holding the book for the very first time, a feeling which is beyond description and no doubt only understood by other authors - I still have difficulty in believing I've reached this stage and am technically an author!

The title of the book, Please Remember, comes essentially from a song, Please Remember Me - written by Tim McGraw - however, in the novel it is taken from the wonderful Aaron Neville version, a duet with Linda Rondstadt. Now, believe this or not, as the postman arrived with my first copy I was listening to an Aaron Neville CD and the track playing was Please Remember Me. I can only hope this is a good omen and, if not, will make the moment more memorable for me at least.

As it is Friday today, and I have a busy weekend scheduled, the tough task of promotion will commence on Monday by which time, hopefully, I will have both feet back firmly on the ground.

Just published

2007-07-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

After months in front of the laptop typing, editing, tweeking and so on, finding a publisher and everything else that goes into producing a book, I have finally reached the just published stage and am, officially, a published author! This all feels very strange and scary - wonder if J K Rowling felt like this with her first novel - not that I'm comparing myself to Ms. Rowling, of course.

Possibly the most surreal moment came when finding the book listed on the website of W H Smith and then Amazon (both UK websites, the American sites should follow in a few days). I kept going back and having another look, just to make sure it was real!

Reaching this stage has been a long and interesting journey, there were moments when I almost hit the delete button and was ready to throw the laptop out of the window, then at other times something pushed me on to the complete and total exclusion of everything else. The first part of the journey is complete and now I am waiting anxiously, filled with a mixture of excitement and fear, wondering what lies ahead and where this will take me.