Publication day

Current work: Venice book
Listening to: Vivaldi
Reading: next on TBR

It’s the first Friday of the month, which means it’s publication day – I have a new book out in the UK. (US and Aussie readers - it's with you next month.)

‘Neurosurgeon… and Mum!’ is set in one of my favourite parts of the world, i.e. the north Norfolk coast. It’s a fictional town that’s a kind of amalgam of Cromer, Brancaster and Wells-next-the-Sea.

There’s a dog (no surprises, there – this one’s a Labrador, but we all know who said dog really is. I borrowed his name from my neighbour’s mum’s Springer – which reminds me, must give her a copy). There’s also a character who isn’t supposed to be there and is almost hidden – my Regency Doctor. I toned him down hugely for the book, but we know he’s going to get his own story one day. Historical medical romance isn’t an option, sadly – unless I start writing for yet another line, and I don’t have enough hours in the day as it is – but one day…

The neurosurgery bit? Something that fascinates me. When I was researching this, I discovered gamma knife surgery. Oh, yessie. Fascinating stuff. Again, my ed made me tone it down (and quite rightly, too – my research showed far too much).

There’s also some baking. Strawberries are definitely involved. (And home made strawberry ice cream.) All things I like to do with my little girl. But my little girl is much more confident than Perdy. (If you’re into analysis: then, yes, I chose Perdita’s name for a very good reason. It sums up her situation, and that of her father.)

It’s a weepie, but there’s some fun stuff in there, too. And if you go back to Monday’s post, you’ll get to see exactly what my characters see when they take the dog to their beach.

I love publication day. And I might just have to nip into town this morning to see my book on the shelves… (Dear ed. I am working. Time for thought, and then fingers on keyboard. Really…)