I know people say those things. Speechless or I didn’t think I had a chance or I can’t...

I know people say those things. Speechless or I didn’t think I had a chance or I can’t bloody believe it. People say them but I really mean it…I was just beyond thrilled to even make the Guardian First Book Award longlist. 

I am relieved to spill the beans though…I found out Tony Hogan had been shortlisted for the award in a hot little room in a Bangkok guesthouse last Friday. It was 1am, the rickety ceiling fan was whirring the thick air around and I’d just completed my 30 hour journey to south-east Asia. I picked up the email and then said aloud ‘just…fucking…what?’ and then repeated a few times ‘no fucking way, no fucking way’ with a ridiculous amazed expression (I imagine). With the email came a request to write a 400 word piece about writing Tony Hogan. They are in The Review today along with 400 words from the other (frankly terrifyingly brilliant) shortlistees and extracts from all of our books. You can read the fruits of my late night, poolside, slightly jetlagged writing here. 

Since then I’ve transited three different countries. I spent today riding from one end of Hanoi to the other on motorbikes looking for an apartment. It is the strangest thing getting news like this all the way out here. I will say I’m hugely grateful and joyful and enormously humbled by the company I’m keeping on that list.

It is nighttime in Hanoi and I am thanking every lucky star I have. 

So there we go - not quite as speechless as I thought (surprise).