Three things
It’s been a bit of a blur of admin, Mary’s party and getting book 8, To She Who Waits, out there. And we’re now about to embark on another Henry expedition, including a short trip to Newquay (to see his other relatives); we will be clear of the toddler by next Wednesday. We next meet up with him on 11 August, the day before we all fly to Saudi (Roland and C, for up to 7 weeks!). It is, as they say, all go.
it’s doneAdmin has been about getting ourselves sorted for Saudi. Flights, evisas (which are really easy), extended health insurance (with HSBC), letters from doctors, a new travel money card etc. I think we’re just about there. Just. We’ve got some printing of stuff to do, and we need to book a coach from Bristol to Heathrow where we meet Bex, Steven and Henry for an overnight stay before our flights. They’re travelling via Saudi air, which is non stop – sorted by the school. We’re paying £700 less each (yes, each), flying with Gulf Air via Bahrain. It’s going to be quite an adventure … on so many fronts. More of which, of course, later.
The book. Ahhh, the book. It’s done and available. You can find it here: https://amzn.to/3Q3gchv. I am really, really pleased with it. I won’t add any spoilers, but I have left room for book 9, which I am already thinking about. Doubtless there will be some Saudi scenes in there somewhere. Tired of trying to be my own publicist, on Monday I spent the morning in the library working on agents and publishers for the series. I have 11 queries in. If history repeats itself, that’ll be 11 rejections, but you have to try. I have also looked at a couple of digital imprint publishers who specialise in romantic thrillers … don’t worry, I haven’t thrown the Sam Green series at them – that would blow their minds. But I have suggested they might like of Black Bulls and White Horses, which, if you don’t remember, is a non-Sam Green romantic thriller. Again, you have to try. If these two latest approaches don’t come to anything then I’m not sure what I’m going to do.
Oh … and for the record I’ve just put 6 signed books in the post to my beta readers. They deserve it, mostly because they make all these wonderful suggestions and I don’t act on them. It’s a long story. But in the end it’s my book, with my name on it. I have to be happy (and I have to get it out there without major rewrite!).
oooo, look what I do!Mary’s party was a scream. Because we had caterers there was less for the home team to do. And whilst that is never a major issue, it meant we were able to breeze the room. She has some lovely and some v interesting friends. And the weather was fab, which always helps. Afterward we drove via Al and Annie’s for supper, which was a lovely way to end the week. It’s so good to have him back in the UK and just down the road. They’ve got their own project at the mo, which isn’t for me to share. But when I can, I will. It’s v exciting!
Our old palsI think that fills all the gaps. We’re both still running every second day. I’d not done my timed 4.6km since before Italy (where I clocked a v surprising and v welcome 19.30). I ran it again on Monday and was slower, at 20.20. It felt quick but I sense that I have yet to fully shake covid. I hope that in the next week or so I can break the 20 minute target. We’ll see.
our JenSo, it’s Bex, Henry and Steven tomorrow. Their off (without the boy) to Newquay on Friday for a well deserved hotel break to celebrate their anniversary. We’re bringing the lad down on Saturday to a caravan chalet (really looking forward to that) where we’ll meet up with them before we all head home on Tuesday. More sand between the toes I hope.
Stay safe, all of you. And don’t think about Liz Truss becoming PM for any longer than you need to. I do sense she is going to be awful and we’ll have a general election early in 2023. In the meantime climate change, cost of living, the NHS, Brexit etc, will continue to be untackled as the Tory party consumes itself. It really really frustrates me. But, hey ho.
