A publication gift to myself...

So, Becca's bride-hunting antics have been out in the world for nearly a month, now, and as yet I haven't had the papparazzi beating down my door, or been invited onto GMTV to share the secrets of my outstanding success. I believe this is pretty normal, and am comforting myself with a) the kind comments on the blog, b) nice snippets that Google Alerts keep sending me, like this tres gentil review from Red Wheelbarrow's blog (can I justify a Eurostar trip to Paris, to say thanks in person? And is review masculine or feminine and so shoule it be gentille?) and, c), the knowledge that the lack of photographers camped outside the house means I can continue to pop to the dry-cleaners without full make-up and foundation garments as recommended by the legend that is Gok Wan.

But I still haven't succeeded in finding a little gift to mark publication. I did go to Tiffany and the only thing I really adored turned out, alas, not to be a cute silver trinket but a PLATINUM pendant of eye-watering expensiveness. I was tempted by the pink handbag in LK Bennett but I didn't LOVE it enough, and I worried that it would just show up my other, less designer, accessories.

So I've bought a rocket garden instead. How cute are they? I've got for a kids' garden on the grounds that it's the easiest to grow, and also contains potatoes. Yum. I admit, it's neither sparkly, nor pink, but with the world shortage of food I feel I ought to be doing my bit, digging for victory, all that jazz. I realise this may herald the start of Middle Age, but then again, gardening is quite cool, now, isn't it? And when my friends are all paying a fiver for a single cherry tomato, I predict that I shall become the It Girl of Container Gardening, the Tara Tuber-Potkinston of South West London.

It also encourages me to get away from my laptop and fantasise about earthy men with green fingers. Or something...

Now, if you haven't entered the fab spa day competition yet, you only have until April 30.

Re: sightings, so far it seems WH Smiths are scoring highest with blogging chums (I am mightily relieved as I was sure they'd all disappeared). But I believe the book should be going on sale in some Tesco stores from tomorrow, so do pop it your basket if you're passing. Cheaper than a tub of Ben & Jerry's and lasts at least twice as long (especially in my household).

Two sightings in two days

So, the strange post-publication limbo continues. Have stopped going into the shops after not being able to find Bride Hunter in two branches of WH Smith – after seeing copies of everyone else’s books in there. ah well…

But then had two reports of people reading the novel, one on the Tube yesterday, and one in the departure lounge of Gatwick Airport today (this news delivered by text message). The Tube reader was smiling, apparently. I managed to stop short of asking what page they seemed to be on, or what kind of smile it was (wry? pleasant? or a huge grin)

I know how sad this sounds, but I am willing to bet that all authors except the stratospherically successful ones will relate to it. When I worked in television, the audience figures came back the following morning, and as well as the numbers, you often got stats too from the Appreciation Index, explaining how much viewers had enjoyed (or not enjoyed) the novel. For authors, it’s a much more gradual thing. A book may be bought, but then sit on your bedside table alongside half a dozen others. Or it could be competing with work deadlines, or an abandoned copy of Hello you found on the Tube (and the latest pictures of Kerry are hard to resist, after all). Now, if only I could get a picture of a celeb reading the book, I'd be made!

Meanwhile, I am taking a bit of a break from the latest book. It hasn’t quite been working – admitting that to myself was a toughie, but I am now excited about going in a new direction with it, and researching the subject. Watch this space!

Bits and Pieces

A while since I posted, I know, but the truth is that, after publication, things seem to return to normal very quickly. Well, I say NORMAL. It's April and yet outside it looks like January and the cat has the sulks as clearly she believes that the snow is something we have produced with the express purpose of winding her up and confusing her...

A couple of lovely write-ups for Bride Hunter. One at HotBrands, Cool Places, and the other by author Shari Low, who reviews books for the Scottish Daily Record.

And in case you're not reading comments, the book's on sale in Paris, and Eva Fernandez tells me that if it was published in Spanish, the title would be 'La caza-novias'. Which sounds VERY cool. However, I am NOT big in Dubai, as Liz tells me that she cannot log into www.bridehunter.co.uk from there - perhaps they think it is some kind of British bloodsport? But if you're not in Dubai, then there's still time to go to the site and enter the fabulous spa day competition!

Not much else to report right now. Head down writing the next book!