Hello and welcome to my book launch party! I’ll be honest with you, it’s a virtual party and I’ve provided absolutely no alcohol or dancing. But you’re welcome to read this blog post whilst you’re completely smashed, if that helps. And if you choose to be dancing about your front room at the same time, nobody will judge you. Least of all me.
So, I hereby announce the launch of my new book, ‘American Cousins’ (International Relations part II)! Yay! This took a mere eighteen months since the release of the first book (and that’s eighteen months of editing, mind – not writing. I’m a lazy sod). Anyway, if you want it, it’s out on Kindle and in paperback from Amazon. But it’s up to you, no pressure, I’ll still love you if you don’t – no hard sell from me. Much.
To be fair, this is not much of a blog post. I doubt I’ll hit a 1000 words. I was going to have the weekend off. Y’know, my husband is at Glastonbury, my daughter is away at a wedding and I was thinking of having an entirely writing-free couple of days. I’d be slobbing out on the sofa, staring aimlessly at a BBC adaptation of a period drama on Netflix (probably the six-hour ‘Pride and Prejudice’ or the six-hour ‘Emma’ or the six-hour ‘Jane Eyre’ marathon. Maybe all three back-to-back. Eighteen hours with only snack and toilet breaks) or something. It’s been so long that I’ve felt I’ve had nothing to do in my spare time that it feels a bit weird. The pressure (self-imposed, but pressure all the same) is finally off.
Actually no, it’s not off. There’s a third book to edit now. Which probably sounds like a walk in the park, but editing is way harder than writing. So undoubtedly, it’ll be another eighteen months before I get around to publishing that bastard thing. I’m frikkin’ prolific, me! But when I finally submit book III, that will be a day to celebrate. I will actually have NOTHING to do on my days off. I’ll probably be all skippetty-hoppetty at first. Then the gloom will set in. I expect I’ll feel lost. Then I’ll feel hopeless because I haven’t got an idea for a new book. Maybe I’ll have to hang up my pen and pack it all in when that day comes (can you hang up a pen? I suppose if you tied a bit of string to it, you could. Plus, I always type on a laptop, so I’d have to tie a bit of rope to that and hang it somewhere. It’s a logistical nightmare, that’s what it is).
Anyway, to any of you who WERE expectantly awaiting the publication of my second book (all three of you), I apologise profusely. I was having problems with plot structure and possessive plurals and overuse of the word ‘nonchalant’. I know I blame this for everything that is wrong with my life, but I’m a superficially educated Cockney who was raised by wolves. Sorry, that’s not true, but sometimes being ‘good with words’ just wasn’t quite enough. But I ensured I was all tooled-up for these books (being that many of my tools are still missing – scroll down and see last post), and I’ve edited this baby to within an inch of its life.
So like I say, this is a brief blog from me. You’re probably pleased. You’re that much closer to getting up and having a cup of coffee (if you aren’t already drunk and dancing around on your own in your pyjamas in your front room. I wish you’d stop behaving like this at parties, you’re showing me up and I shan’t invite you again). For those of you who choose to take the perilous path of reading my new book (all three of you), please leave a review on Amazon when you’ve finished – self-published authors really do rely on these. Unless you hate it and it made you want to carve off your own head with a nail file. Then I’d advise you don’t leave a review – I wouldn’t want you to purger yourself by saying something you don’t mean.
Anyhoo, time for me to skedaddle. The back-to-back marathon of wall-to-wall bonnets and bustles and ‘taking a turn about the room’ isn’t going to watch itself, y’know. I’m a trooper like that – I put in the hard yards, so you don’t have to.

PS: HUGE thanks again to my put-upon friend Amy for all your help and advice. It’s a better book for having your critical eye tear it to shreds…I mean, look it over😉. There’s a little inscription in the acknowledgements just for you. So you can feel partly to blame…I mean, as proud as me.
PPS: 800 ish words. Ah well, I’ve just edited 162,000 – I deserve a bit of slack.
PPS: Oh, and I’m struggling for a title for the third book. If you can think of one, I’ll put your name in the acknowledgements. Sorry, it’s not hard cash but just think – your name at the front of my book…(you’re excited, right?).
Very, EXTREMELY, totes proud of you Adele, you,re an inspiration. I will definitely be purchasing Book 2 anon AND when I get book 1 finished, will be sharpening my pencil to review it.
Seriously well done. 👏👏👏👏👏 xx
Sloping off now to hang head in shame at own misgivings……🙀🙀🙀
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You have nothing to be ashamed of Lizzie, you’re on the road to writing stardom. Remember 2016 was the year you took that step. I’m very proud of you for making that step too, it isn’t easy. Oh and BTW, I’m not posting this blog on FB for a couple of days – seemed in inappropriate as it’s WWIII going on over there at the moment… 😕
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Congrats Adele! I hope it flies off the virtual shelves. Have you thought of a name for the entire trilogy, never mind the third book?
Your two books look great down the left side.
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Thanks Jack! Well I suppose the trilogy is kind of Intonational Relations…I guess🤔. Like the Hunger Games trilogy is the Hunger Games. But it matters little as I’m as obscure today as I have ever been (and will remain so!). I think there should be some mention of England in the third book title. But I can’t seem to make that work… Oh well, worse things happen at sea. Thanks for reading! 😔
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Hey… How about “London Bridge Is Falling” Or, “England… That Ship Has Sailed.” Okay, just kidding.
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Don’t make me come over there, Stoner! 😉
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Ooh I love this party! Getting drunk in a field in celebration, I didn’t realise you knew all these people. They seem very happy. Congratulations Adele, superb achievement!
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Yes, Bisonbeats, I’m very big in Glasto! x
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I don’t dance… you can’t make me! Now, where did I put that bottle of 20-year-old Single Malt?
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Get on that dance floor and throw some shapes, Stoner! 💃🏻
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I can only imagine what would editing 162,000 words would be like. Good luck! Hoping this is a great success. 🙂
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Thanks Rahul! Me too! 🙏🏽
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Congrats Adele! BTW, I just finished reading International Relations. Wow, fantastic story, entertaining read, and skillful writing – I am envious! Looking forward to reading American Cousins!
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Really? I had no idea you were reading it! Thanks – glad you enjoyed it! Any plans to write a book yourself? I’m sure, with your witty turn of phrase, it would be fabulous! 😊
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I’m day to day for now, I keep telling myself come November I’ll take on Nano writer’s month. Maybe this year, if I’m not still hanging out in my shed with a space heater. Cheers!
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Just keep me posted! I love reading books penned by my writer-friends 📚. *stands in Grimsby, UK looking utterly lost*
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Congratulations, Adele! Quite a milestone!
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Thanks Arthur! Just one book to go now! 🙂
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Once again you’ve made me smile. It’s not a lot to ask, really, but few can deliver. You do. I’ll be getting the book, even if I didn’t find you for the first. Oh. Yes, I AM indeed dancing in my pajamas and spilling a bit of wine in the process.
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I knew you would, Laura – you party animal! Thank you! 😊
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Congratulations, Adele! I’m very happy for you, as I know all too well the horrors of prepping a book for self-publication. (Sounds of sighing as I balefully glance at the WIP files of five or so books in various stages of writing and editing, none of them anywhere near redemption or pride.) And now I’m off to Amazon to address the emptiness of my shopping cart…
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Thank you, Brian! I thought I’d feel so relieved that the book was finished and out there. But all I can do is feel guilty about the third in the trilogy that I haven’t looked at and needs SOOOOO much work (a year at least on top of my day job). Maybe I’ll take a few weeks off – I’d just love to READ something for once! 🤔
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I would LOVE to take a few weeks off and do nothing but read. Scratch that, I would LOVE to take a year off and do nothing but loll about in a remote hut in a remote village in a remote country that may or may not change its name whilst I’m there and not worry about what I should or should not be doing. Dream big… 😉
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Congratulations Adele. Sorry with book ‘American Cousins’ details I got to know your book 1. Will definitely read both IR and AC… Good luck for the next. – sarojavasanth
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Aww, thank you! I hope, when you get the time to read them, you’ll enjoy them! 😊
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Am sure I will love your book cause I have enjoyed your blog posts. I like reading and writing romance novels too. I would like to share how I felt about both books once I finish. Keep up the passion for writing more and more. 🙂
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Well Saroja, they are definitely romantic, if a bit off-beat, so hopefully your cup of tea! Thanks so much for all your support! 😊
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Congratulations!! ❤ ❤ ❤
I will be purchasing it this month. 🙂
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Thanks Plain Jane! 😊x
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I am not able to place an order for hard copy.
Are they not available? I remember you posted a pic of one or mentioned a colleague buying one.
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Hmm, I have to admit I don’t understand how it works. There is a paperback but I had a feeling it was only available in the UK and US. However Trina from G+ (from New Zealand) managed to buy one. I’ve a feeling she had to order it from Create Space? I’ll ask her how she did it xx
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