After the Launch

It's been 4 weeks since the launch of Locked Within and I still find myself grinning when I think back on it. Now as things settle back into my normal routine I have to remind myself that things really aren't going to be "normal" anymore. I'm a published author, and we have twins on the way at the end of the month. My priorities are going to shift so that writing and raising our two babies will be the most important, and rewarding, things in my life.

I spoke before about feeling like I'd reached the end credits of my own movie. But the story isn't over, and really, now is when the hard work begins. After the buzz and elation of the launch, I still have more books to write, and I have to work even harder at promoting myself. I have to arrange giveaways and reviews, and get the book into stores. Of course, I need people to buy it, but at the end of the day I have no control over that. All I can do is get as much exposure as possible and have faith it'll all work out.

I've found it very easy to deal with bookstores in terms of asking if they'll stock Locked Within. The Irish are great at helping to promote their own. We love a good story about local success. I'm very pleased to be able to say that Locked Within is on the shelves right now in Hodges Figgis and on its way to Hughes and Hughes and Dubray Books.

To add to that, I've arranged a couple of appearances. Today I'm going back to my old school to give talks to some of the students about being a writer, and in February I'm giving a workshop with the English Literature Society in UCD on writing urban fantasy and paranormal fiction.

On Saturday I'm going to a Christmas sale where there'll also be copies of Locked Within available. I'll be signing them for anyone who buys one.

If anyone has any ideas for other events I could do, both in person and online, I'd love to hear them!