Counting down to ‘Fetcher’s Song’
December 20th, 2015
I just checked the calendar, and the release date for Fetcher (January 4th) is two weeks and one day away! Usually by this time of the year it’s all done and dusted – we’ve had the big launch and I’m starting to get feedback from readers – so this feels really odd.
Because of the timing (Tasmania pretty much closes down for all of January), we’re not having a launch this year. Instead, I’m going to sit in my favourite bookshop for a couple of hours on the afternoon of Sunday 10th January and sign books. And chat to whoever comes to visit. (And read and eat chocolate if no one comes.)
The thing about the launches is, they are huge fun, but they’re also an enormous amount of work and I never get the chance to actually talk to people. I’m too busy making sure things happen when they’re supposed to, making speeches, trying to stop Chief Engineer Albie kidnapping my guests, etc. So I really like the idea of being able to just sit and talk to whoever comes, without any great pressure.
And of course now (because my author copies arrived a couple of weeks ago) I have TWO WHOLE SERIES finished. I feel very odd when I look at my bookshelves and see them there – odd but deeply satisfied. Sometimes I imagine holding them up in front of my eleven-year-old self and saying, ‘See? This is what you’re going to do.’ (My eleven-year-old self is VERY impressed.) 🙂
When I visit schools, one of the things I talk about is how writing a novel is a bit like doing a jigsaw – except there’s no picture on the box and you have to go out and find all the pieces in obscure and difficult places. Well, this week just past, I found a new piece of the jigsaw for the Bodyguard series. It’s a big piece too, that changes everything – in a really good way. So I’m feeling quietly excited, and looking forward to seeing how this works out in the story.
But for now – Merry Christmas to you all! I hope you have a joyous time, wherever you are, and that your days are filled with love, good books, good friends and wild flights of imagination. Merry Christmas from Harry to all the cats and dogs and guinea pigs, as well!
xxxxxx
Hello Mrs Tanner
My daughter has loved the keepers and due to her joy my husband and myself have also read them. Found your new series for her for Christmas and looking forward to seeing her face on Christmas Day.
We are in Launceston and are unable to come down to Hobart for your special day on the 10th. Will you be coming up to this end of the state anytime.
Our local bookshop (Petrarch’s) introduced me to your work and have always loved supporting local talented authors.
Hope you have a great Christmas.
Heidi Sands
I’m very pleased to have a whole family of new readers, Heidi! I don’t have any plans to come north at the moment, but that could well change – if it does I’ll let you know. In the meantime I have emailed you to see if you would like some bookplates.
I really can’t wait, it’s so close I could almost touch it! The series is so absorbing the way new people come in like Rain and Bran (halfway through the second book now!). It’s hard to settle on the fine line between adding too many people and keeping it the same but you have done it perfectly without it ending up too confusing. how dare Albie and Skua betray them like they did! I’m rocketing through the book now, I can’t wait to see what happens!
Merry Christmas to you and Harry, may your stockings and hearts be full to the brim, with happiness, joy and many nice things!
Amber-Kate xxoo
Merry Christmas to you too, Amber-Kate! And Merry Christmas from Harry. I’m extremely glad you’re enjoying the second book – sounds like you’ll get it finished just in time. And yes, Albie has no shame – he is completely untrustworthy, unfortunately. 🙁
xxx