I was taking a photo of my new cover for Air Guitar and Caviar, positioning my iPad next to my trusty RNA mug when I knocked the mug off the table and it BROKE! Oh no!

Have to say it was a very photogenic break!

I wanted to show a picture of my mug and write a few words about the Romantic Novelists’ Association and how it had pretty much shaped my life as a writer for the past ten years or more.  This was a sad moment believe me! But then I thought maybe it was a good omen. Maybe it meant that I’d finally finished my apprenticeship and was ready to move out of my New Writer’s scheme zone and into the world of ‘being a real author!’

Not that I ever intend to stray too far from the RNA- ever. Nearly every writer friend I have belongs to the RNA and I feel very grateful to the RNA for that, along with the constructive criticism and praise I have received via their New Writer’s Scheme.

Air Guitar and Caviar went through the New Writer’s Scheme ( http://bit.ly/2kczK4Z ) a good few years ago when its name was Blue Skies and Stars (I may yet use that for another book – so remember that title!) but the standard of my writing wasn’t good enough for publication, I could see that as soon as I started re-reading it, last year. But it was always the book of my heart and I decided to rewrite it during NaNoWriMo, knowing that my writing was stronger. I was quietly pleased with it and then over the moon when it was shortlisted for Choc Lit’s Search for a Star competition and even more thrilled that it will soon be up on Amazon with Fabrian Books.

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I am no longer a member of the New Writers scheme and am looking forward to the day I become a fully fledged member of the RNA, but I have to sell a fair few books before that will happen. If feels as if my story of gorgeous Dylan the busker and frosty Scarlett the air stewardess has been in my head for EVER, but in fact, from rewrite to publication it has been just over a year.

Must make sure book number two doesn’t take quite as long as this one- it’s mostly already written so hopefully it won’t. That’s the one that was shortlisted for a Mills and Boon ‘Flirty Fiction’ competition, so I must be doing something right!

Air Guitar and Caviar will be hitting  Amazon as an ebook on 5th February, so make a note of that date- I don’t think I’ll be forgetting it!

Before I broke the mug! Cover illustration by Berni Stevens- you are the best!