Publication Eve
Approximately-weekly newsletter 47. Hooray! And also, squirmy.
Here we are, my friends. The paperback of THE SECOND CHANCE BOOK CLUB is out tomorrow in the UK. (It will be July in the US and Australia - translation info to come.)
And my nails match it, with tiny bees and flowers and lights! Jenny (technically a nail tech, but 100% a nail artist) did a top job.
Publication can make me feel a little bit…squirmy. It’s partly fear (everyone might hate my book and, by extension, me!), partly anxiety (everyone might ignore it and my career will be over!), and partly our old friend, internalised patriarchy (I shouldn’t be asking people to look at something I have made! I should be pointing them to F Scott Fitzgerald and Dickens!).
Publication can also make me really, really happy. Publication day is the day when I realise I am actually doing the job that my 5 year old self was 100% set on. It’s the day that I think about all of those pre-ordered copies landing on doormats, and I get a buzz of delight. (I know how much I love it when a pre-order arrives, and I feel as though my past self has sent me an extremely thoughtful gift.)
And publication is also when I admit to myself - and, today, to you - that I’m proud of the novel I have written.
This is my eighth published novel, and the third in which I’ve put books, and reading, at the heart of the story. Writing bookish books feels like home to me.
It took me a long time to find the heart of THE SECOND CHANCE BOOK CLUB, though. Plus, I wrote it during a tough time in my life, so my judgement felt wobbly and my confidence was low and it’s taken me a while to really understand that I did make something to be proud of.
But - though it is a hard thing to say, though it’s so much easier to make a self-deprecating joke - I am proud. I’m proud that I wrote about the impact of poverty and heartbreak as well as the joys of love and family. I’m proud that I put September, a not-obviously-interesting woman, at the heart of the story and let her grow on me. I’m proud of the community I wrote around her and her aunt Lucia. I’m proud that readers of the e-book are telling me that this might be their book of the year, and that this is their favourite of my books.
Tomorrow, I’m going to doodle about on social media, and talk to readers online, and take a deep breath and lean in to the fact that I’ve done the work now. What happens with THE SECOND CHANCE BOOK CLUB is in the hands of readers, and the lap of the reading gods. I will enjoy events, and talking to readers, and doing signings, and generally waving my novel around. But tomorrow, this book is in the world. And I am at my desk, getting on with the next book. (Which is, yes, bookish.)
Maybe, one day, I will be as laid back as Harris.
Though that feels unlikely.
After all, Harris has (so far) written zero books. Though he is in the new one.
At Easter, BMB (Beloved Mr Butland) and I followed our usual Bank Holiday protocol, which is to keep out of the way of all the places where people on holiday want to go, and do our ice cream eating/castle visiting/gift shop doodling on random Wednesdays when much of the world is at work/school. I did Gardening Things. (Because I am in my 50s now and that seems to be some sort of weird hormonal law.) And of course, baking.
The chocolate cake is this one, though I went for chocolate mini-eggs rather than Maltesers on top. It’s straightforward to make, delicious, and not as sweet as you’d think.
I’ve been making meringues forever - my Grandma used to make them, and they were my favourite thing - and will happily tell you how I do it, another day.
I’ve got a bit of time in the summer for edits and manuscript assessments, and mentoring slots are opening up too.
So if you’re a writer at any stage in your career, and you’d like support and advice (or your own personal writing fairy godmother, as I was described in my favourite endorsement ever), I might be your person.
Take a look here and then drop me a note; we’ll arrange a no-obligation Zoom or phone call to talk about your writing, and how I could help you.
I’m knowledgeable and kind, and I’ll treat you and your work with respect. I’ll do my best to get you and your writing to where you want it to be.
Look! I have a tulip that is growing its own baby tulip!
Some admin: I’ve moved my newsletter and website over to Substack. As part of that, I’ve added some extracts from old newsletters as separate articles. (Stacks?) If you’re new to me, you might enjoy having a browse. Feel free, too, to share any links you want to with your own followers, and to suggest anything you’d like me to write about.
Until next time, my friends, be well, and THANK YOU for all of your support.
Stephanie x
I confess, I live in the US and received my e-copy (Kindle) a couple of weeks ago. My sister and I were to read it and then discuss last week, but she hasn't finished it yet.
BUT, I LOVED IT!!
I understand the doubts pre-publication, but you are a superpurb writer. I have enjoyed all your fiction books. Keep it up!
The Second Chance Book Club is amazing! I tried to make myself savour it but I gulped it down because everything about it was utterly brilliant. I loved that it was overflowing with love of all kinds. It was wise and beautiful and profound. I hope it finds its way into the hands and hearts of many readers. I read my pre-ordered ebook copy and look forward to my pre-ordered paperback arriving tomorrow. Also, love the matching book nails! Have a wonderful publication day!