September Book News

 

September is a very exciting month for me - and not just because we're getting hints of autumn!

I have two pieces of book news to share this month:

My new book, The Grown Up To-Do List is out on Thursday. I've waited a long time to share Cleo's story with you so I'm super-excited that she gets to shine in just a few days.

I'm giving away a super-cute crocheted stripy sausage dog to celebrate Publication Day (I haven't lost the plot - they feature in the book!) so make sure you're subscribed to my newsletter if you'd like the chance to win the little dude.

There will also be a free short story for you to read in the newsletter, which centres around one of the side characters from The Grown Up To-Do List.

From my new book to my very first: A Beginner's Guide To Salad is part of September's Kindle Monthly Deal, so you can grab a copy for just 99p for the whole of this month. And if you're a Kindle Unlimited Subscriber, you can read it for free.

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The Fear and The Self-Doubt of Writing

There was a lot of fear the first time I filled in Amazon's KDP sections to self-publish my first novel, A Beginner's Guide To Salad. What if I'd messed up the ebook formatting and people bought a mushed-up mess of a book? Worse, what if I hadn't messed up the formatting and people read the book but hated it. Even worse than that: what if nobody bought the book at all?

Mixed in with The Fear was The Self-Doubt, which was pointing out - rather loudly - that I'd be better off not putting myself out there at all. I feared failing as a writer, but there would be no chance of failing if I didn't publish my book.

But there would also be no chance of success. Nobody could read the book and Ruth's story would have to be shelved and I really, really wanted her story to be out there. I'd loved writing the book. Loved getting to know the characters. And I wanted others to love them too, and they wouldn't if they remained stuck on my laptop forever.

So I published the book. Six people bought copies that first day. I thought that would probably be it, but slowly, the numbers rose. People left reviews and while not every book is going to hit every reader, the feedback suggested they'd enjoyed it on the whole. It's eight years to the day since I tapped on the publish button and there are 142 ratings on Amazon, with 87% being five or four stars. I've since published the paperback as well as releasing two more books in the Beginner's Guide series. And my writing hasn't stopped there: I've been published by HarperCollins and have self-published two more books outside of the Beginner's Guide series plus a short story compilation. I'm currently working on Book 15.

There are days when there is still the fear and the self-doubt about my writing, but I don't let them win and I definitely don't feel like a failure.

Quiz: Which Beginner's Guide Girl Are You?

If you've read A Beginner's Guide To Salad (or even if you haven't - there aren't any rules here), why not take the quiz to find out which Beginner's Girl you are.

Which Beginner's Girl Are You?

What is your best trait?

A: Loyalty

B: I’m so laid back, I’m horizontal. Literally, most of the time

C: Patience

D: My boobs. That’s not a trait? Oh well, I’m choosing them anyway.



What is your worst flaw?

A: I can’t pass a chocolate bar without eating it.

B: I can’t pass a man without sleeping with him.

C: I’m too trusting at times.

D: I don’t have any flaws, darling. They were nipped and tucked years ago.

You organise a night out with friends. What will you be doing?

A: Bowling, followed by pizza. And ice cream.

B: Cocktails. Dancing. Flirting.

C: A night out in our local pub. Maybe karaoke if we’re feeling adventurous.

D: Men. Lots of men.



You’re hosting a dinner party. What do you cook?

A: I can’t cook, so I’d ask my housemate to cook while I make the table look pretty.

B: Takeaway counts, right?

C: Something pretty simple but delicious, like a carbonara.

D: I’d hire a professional chef, darling.



You’re going to an office party. Who do you bring?

A: My best friend/housemate

B: I’d go alone. But don’t worry, I won’t be leaving on my own *wink*

C: My boyfriend/husband/partner

D: Someone deliciously hot.

You have a crush on a guy. And then find out your best friend has already kissed him. How do you react?

A: I’d be gutted but I’d keep it to myself.

B: Who cares? Plenty more fish in the sea and all that.

C: I’d be disappointed but he obviously isn’t the guy for me after all.

D: I’d scratch her eyes out. Bitch.



How do you feel about marriage?

A: My dream is to meet the man of my dreams, fall head over heels and live happily ever after. I’m not sure it’ll ever happen though.

B: Not. For. Me.

C: I can’t wait to get married!

D: Been there, done that. Never again.



Which kind of pet would you prefer?

A: Dog

B: Fish

C: Cat

D: Animals are more trouble than they’re worth.


What is your ideal holiday destination?

A: Somewhere with a quiet beach where I can read a book.

B: Las Vegas

C: I love camping.

D: Somewhere where it’s hot and the men are hotter.

How would you describe yourself?

A: Bubbly and fun.

B: Passionate

C: Quite reserved

D: Sexy as hell, darling.



You’re getting ready for a big night out. What do you wear?

A: Something I feel comfortable in.

B: Something tight and short. I have a good figure – why not show it off?

C: A floor-length dress that sparkles.

D: Very little.

So which Beginner's Guide girl are you?

Mostly As:

You are Ruth.

Ruth isn’t the most confident of women but she likes to have a good time and she’s fiercely loyal. She cares about her family and holds her friendships very close to her heart.



Mostly Bs:

You are Erin.

Erin is young, free and single and she likes to keep it that way. She breezes through life and never lets herself get tied down but friendship is important to her. She can be flippant at times but she’ll always support you when you need it.

Mostly Cs:

You are Clare.

Clare is a reserved young woman but she knows her own mind and won’t let anyone walk all over her. She wears her heart on her sleeve, which can lead to heartache at times, but she is confident in who she is.

Mostly D:

You are Angelina.

Angelina is a passionate and determined woman who usually gets what she wants. She’s so focused on her love life, she doesn’t have time to build up friendships but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ruth loves nothing more than curling up in front of the telly with a family-sized bar of chocolate. She doesn’t do diets and she certainly doesn’t do exercise. But all that changes when she’s invited to her school reunion.

Bullied at school for being overweight, Ruth’s first reaction is to rip the invitation into a million pieces. But then Ruth hatches a plan. She’ll lose the weight and arrive at the reunion looking gorgeous and glamorous, leaving her old classmates in awe. Especially her former crush, Zack O’Connell.

With the help of her friends and a new, unbelievably hot colleague, Ruth begins her transformation. With six months until the reunion, losing weight will be a piece of cake, right?

Amazon UK | Amazon US

A Beginner's Guide To Salad: The Playlist

Ruth, the main character from A Beginner's To Salad, is a massive fan of cheesy pop, so I've put together a playlist of some of her favourite hits. Enjoy! (I know Ruth will)

Ruth loves nothing more than curling up in front of the telly with a family-sized bar of chocolate. She doesn’t do diets and she certainly doesn’t do exercise. But all that changes when she’s invited to her school reunion.

Bullied at school for being overweight, Ruth’s first reaction is to rip the invitation into a million pieces. But then Ruth hatches a plan. She’ll lose the weight and arrive at the reunion looking gorgeous and glamorous, leaving her old classmates in awe. Especially her former crush, Zack O’Connell.

With the help of her friends and a new, unbelievably hot colleague, Ruth begins her transformation. With six months until the reunion, losing weight will be a piece of cake, right?

Amazon UK | Amazon US

A Beginner's Guide To Salad: Fun Facts

Ruth and Billy’s favourite sitcom was originally going to be How I Met Your Mother, but then I decided to have a bit of fun and make up my own, playing on the book’s title.


Ruth and Billy’s favourite tv show, A Beginner’s Guide To You, revolves around Meg and Tom, whose names were inspired by the main actors from You’ve Got Mail.


Billy and Theo were named after the characters in the Bill & Ted films. Theo even has the same surname as Ted.


The Roxy Fitness Centre was named after my old local cinema, which unfortunately is no more *sobs*


Ruth’s older brother, Stephen, is named after the American comedy singer/songwriter, Stephen Lynch.


Stephen lives in New York with his American wife. I wrote a Christmas short story about how they met and you can read it here


Poplar Ave, where Ruth, Billy and Stephen grew up is real. I grew up there myself and have some very fond memories of playing marbles, rounders and curby with the other kids on the street.


The school reunion was inspired when my own former high school was bulldozed and a new academy opened.


In the original version, Ruth and Zack were conducting a secret relationship. Zack dumped Ruth in the restaurant, which broke her heart and caused her to flee to Stephen and Billy.

When it was first published, A Beginner's Guide To Salad had a different cover, and there's a nod to the original cover on the spine of the paperback edition.

Ruth loves nothing more than curling up in front of the telly with a family-sized bar of chocolate. She doesn’t do diets and she certainly doesn’t do exercise. But all that changes when she’s invited to her school reunion.

Bullied at school for being overweight, Ruth’s first reaction is to rip the invitation into a million pieces. But then Ruth hatches a plan. She’ll lose the weight and arrive at the reunion looking gorgeous and glamorous, leaving her old classmates in awe. Especially her former crush, Zack O’Connell.

With the help of her friends and a new, unbelievably hot colleague, Ruth begins her transformation. With six months until the reunion, losing weight will be a piece of cake, right?

Amazon UK | Amazon US

A Beginner's Guide To... Jared

Jared is new to H. Woods Vehicles, a bus and coach manufacturers where Ruth works. He meets Ruth in the tiny staff kitchen and they strike up a friendship. Jared has had a troubled past, though he is trying to put it all behind him and move on.
When Ruth needs help with her weight-loss, Jared is happy to help.

Jared comes from quite a large family, being the oldest of four. His mum and sisters are always trying to coax him into dating women they know (however vaguely) but he isn’t interested.


Here are a few quick facts about Jared

·         Full Name: Jared Williams

·         Age: 33

·         Job: Purchasing Manager

·         Hair colour: Blond

·         Eye colour: Blue

·         Favourite colour: Blue

·         Favourite film: Die Hard

·         Favourite food: Steak

·         Hobbies: Working out

·       Party trick: Can pull a coin out from behind your ear. Lame, but kids love it.

Ruth loves nothing more than curling up in front of the telly with a family-sized bar of chocolate. She doesn’t do diets and she certainly doesn’t do exercise. But all that changes when she’s invited to her school reunion.

Bullied at school for being overweight, Ruth’s first reaction is to rip the invitation into a million pieces. But then Ruth hatches a plan. She’ll lose the weight and arrive at the reunion looking gorgeous and glamorous, leaving her old classmates in awe. Especially her former crush, Zack O’Connell.

With the help of her friends and a new, unbelievably hot colleague, Ruth begins her transformation. With six months until the reunion, losing weight will be a piece of cake, right?

Amazon UK | Amazon US

A Beginner's Guide To... Billy

Billy has known Ruth forever. They grew up living next door to each other and Billy is best friends with Ruth’s older brother, Stephen. Ruth and Billy, along with Billy’s workmate Theo, share a house. Every Thursday evening, Billy and Ruth sit down together to watch their favourite sitcom while sharing some sort of family-sized confectionery.

Billy has always been into computers and now works in IT. Despite working with computers all day, he is quite happy to sit in front of a computer at home in the evenings too. Billy doesn’t have much luck with the ladies. His last relationship ended almost two years ago.


Here are a few quick facts about Billy:

· Full Name: William Worth

· Age: 30

· Job: IT Technician

· Hair colour: Brown

· Eye colour: Brown

· Favourite colour: Green

· Favourite film: Weird Science

· Favourite food: Pizza

· Hobbies: Playing on his computer/Playstation

· Party trick: Can juggle three objects

Ruth loves nothing more than curling up in front of the telly with a family-sized bar of chocolate. She doesn’t do diets and she certainly doesn’t do exercise. But all that changes when she’s invited to her school reunion.

Bullied at school for being overweight, Ruth’s first reaction is to rip the invitation into a million pieces. But then Ruth hatches a plan. She’ll lose the weight and arrive at the reunion looking gorgeous and glamorous, leaving her old classmates in awe. Especially her former crush, Zack O’Connell.

With the help of her friends and a new, unbelievably hot colleague, Ruth begins her transformation. With six months until the reunion, losing weight will be a piece of cake, right?

Amazon UK | Amazon US

A Beginner's Guide To... Ruth

Ruth is the main character from A Beginner's Guide To Salad. She's always been overweight and was bullied as a child because of it. When she receives an invitation to her high school reunion, she’s reluctant to go. Until she hatches a plan to lose weight and shock her former classmates.


Ruth’s parents are Louie and Vera. Her dad is overly enthusiastic about DIY. Her mum is not. Ruth has a brother, Stephen, who lives in New York with his American wife, Aubrey and their three children, Austin, Riley and Ryder.

Ruth works as a PA to Kelvin Shuttleworth, the General Manager of H. Woods Vehicles, a bus and coach manufacturers. She doesn’t always like her job so she takes every opportunity to have a skive and gossip with her friends and colleagues, Erin and Quinn.

In her spare time, Ruth loves nothing more than slouching on the sofa with her housemate and best friend, Billy and a family-sized bar of chocolate.


 Here a few quick facts about Ruth:

·         Name: Ruth Lynch

·         Age: 28

·         Job: PA

·         Hair colour: Blonde

·         Eye colour: Blue

·         Favourite colour: Anything bright

·         Favourite film: You’ve Got Mail

·         Favourite food: Chocolate

·         Hobbies: watching TV, gossiping and shopping

·       Party trick: Can fit three digestive biscuits in mouth without breaking them

Ruth loves nothing more than curling up in front of the telly with a family-sized bar of chocolate. She doesn’t do diets and she certainly doesn’t do exercise. But all that changes when she’s invited to her school reunion.

Bullied at school for being overweight, Ruth’s first reaction is to rip the invitation into a million pieces. But then Ruth hatches a plan. She’ll lose the weight and arrive at the reunion looking gorgeous and glamorous, leaving her old classmates in awe. Especially her former crush, Zack O’Connell.

With the help of her friends and a new, unbelievably hot colleague, Ruth begins her transformation. With six months until the reunion, losing weight will be a piece of cake, right?

Amazon UK | Amazon US