1. The first draft of Tony Hogan on my work table in New...

1. The first draft of Tony Hogan on my work table in New Zealand. 

2. Before my meeting at Random House I met my partner for a coffee and tried to look calm. I'm really hoping I didn't pull this face too often during the actual meeting. 

3. The moment I got The Call. Listening to my agents voicemail while struggling out of my coat with a stupid grin on my face. Composed as ever. Again, I'd like to think that isn't a face I pull often. But it probably is.

4. I returned the contract on my way to work a few weeks later. 

5. The beginning of notes for Thirst (almost exactly this time last year). To the right of this shot my girlfriend is swimming the Serpentine in a wetsuit.

6. The view from my writing table at home in Hackney. I plan to finish Thirst here. Looking out at that view and thanking my East London lucky stars.