“To Err is Human…”

Sorry — been a while, hasn’t it? Been a bit busy in the last few weeks, what with going to Berlin and coming back with a crippling case of writer’s block. Just what I need when I actually want to get my teeth into my latest project!

I received an email from a book marketing company saying that most authors don’t sell even 50 copies of their first novel. I am delighted, therefore, to say that I am not most authors. Having sold 57 copies at last count. I’m still aiming for the big 100, so if you haven’t bought a copy yet, please do.

The feedback has been, for the most part, overwhelmingly positive. What I have been shocked and saddened by is finding out that, despite proofreading the finished manuscript twice and then giving it to another professional for a once-over, there are a couple of typos in the first and second editions of Lust & Liberty. Things that I should really have caught in one of my read-throughs.

However, I was reassured by learning that even the likes of the greats such as JK Rowling and Carlos Ruiz Zafón (author of The Shadow of the Wind) had typos in their first editions too. Obviously, I’m going to have to go through my copy of the book and make sure I don’t find anymore, but I’m not too concerned. It goes to show mistakes just happen.

As for the next main project, I’m currently still deliberating. Last time we talked about it, I said it would be a wartime thriller entitled You Can Hear Chopin from the Attic. I have been falling in and out of love with the idea the more I try to write it (the writer’s block isn’t helping, of course). So I’m equally thinking about diverting into non-fiction for a spell and produce a guide to successfully throwing a dinner party.

Help me make my decision – what would you rather see from me next? Fiction or non? Leave your votes in the comments section!