Publication Day! And the Oscar Speech

Wooo! It's finally here! I've eaten eight Ferrero Rocher chocolates in one minute!

Before I calm down enough to deliver anything coherent, can I direct you to some places where I'm at today? At Sia McKye's, I'm talking how how to stay fit without leaving the flat. 'Coz who needs the great outdoors, anyway?

At the Minxes of Romances (these gals rawk!), I'm discussing romance and answering other fun questions.

On Chick Lit Reviews, I talk about how I came up with the concept for The Hating Game and how I celebrated when I found out I was going to be published. (I'll give you a hint: it begins with 'w'.)

And at Mel Sherratt's wonderful High Heels and Book Deals, there's the chance to win a copy of The Hating Game (UK only, sorry, but everyone who follows my blog is in the draw to win copies of my novel over the course of this week). All you need to do is answer one teeny question! Hehe! Pop over to have a look.

So on to the Oscar speech!

As isolating as writing can be, zillions of people have helped me out with this novel! It goes without saying that I never would have done this without Mr TR. Or, I would have done it, but it would have taken me much much longer! And a big thank you to my wonderful parents and friends who never once told me I was naive or silly (or just plain dumb) to give up a full-time PAYING job to try to get published.

I want to do a giant shout-out to India Drummond (her novel, Ordinary Angels, is out in April!). India and I "met" through my now-defunct blog a few years ago. She's read stuff of mine that will never see the light of day, offered fantastic suggestions, and just provided me with the general snark needed to make it through the publication maze. Although we've never met in real life, our lengthy telephone conversations are invaluable to my writerly well-being. Thank you, Snark Sister!

Lots of other writers helped, too, and I want to say thanks to Gemma Burgess, Colette Caddle and Miranda Dickinson who all read my ARC and gave me a massive boost of confidence when I was about to vom with pre-release nerves.

And finally (yes, finally!) -- YOU! For reading, interacting, supporting... just generally being the greatest and fantastic-ist group of people ever! You've made my release so much more special than it ever could have been.

THANK YOU!

*wipes tear*

Right, now on to today's giveaway!

The Hating Game (donated by Laura Howard) goes to... SUSAN FIELDS!
*Which is amazing, since Susan was my very first blog follower when I started this blog! Yay Susan!

Wasted by Nicola Morgan goes to... KATE JOHNSON

The Dresskeeper by Mary Naylus goes to... LUCIE WHEELER

Without Alice by DJ Kirkby goes to... JESSICA BALL

Like Bees to Honey (swapped from yesterday with Jess, who already won a copy) goes to... JILL KEMERER

From Notting Hill with Love... Actually by Ali McNamara goes to... DEBS RICCIO

Naked in Knightsbridge by Nicky Schmidt goes to... KATIE WORKMAN


Congrats, everyone. And thank you, again!