Delivered, though not done and dusted by any means. I am very relieved that my wonderful publishers like it and have so many great suggestions on how to improve it. Now I am just lacking a title – maybe I should put that question out to tender in the same way that Blue Peter name their pets. I remember being desperate that their new cat should be called Kitty, so … Read the full entry
Review in USA Today
USA Today has over 3 million readers and lots of other very big impressive statistics. It also reviewed my book in a chick-lit round-up. I’m always a bit ambivalent about that term, but if it’s a great review in a stonking paper, then who am I to complain? They say ‘Funny and full of familiar anecdotes about family life, including a cringe-worthy, but hilarious incident with a “poo crayon,” British … Read the full entry
Fabulous recommendation from the Times’ Sarah Vine
I was very thrilled (as were my Amazon sales) by this mention of in last week’s Times of my book. She seems to have really got the book and what I was aiming at. I was particularly pleased as it turns out that she was bought it by her husband, who also read it and I love to hear of men enjoying it as much as women.
The Pile lands in Romantic Times
The Romantic Times blog, a very successful site in the US, has an author spotlight on me, review and excerpt in its latest edition. In it, I’m pondering the meaning of romance especially in relationships that are past the first flush of love. Here’s a link to it. You can also read a great review of the Pile there too.
US publication date fast approaching
Grand Central are publishing The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs on the 25 April, Easter Monday. I too will be in New York to celebrate. It has a different but very lovely cover (see left) and will be in all good bookshops, including a front-of-store promotion at Barnes & Noble. This will be the first time I’ve been away without my family. Instead of feeling liberated … Read the full entry
The Pile: it’s out there…
The Pile of Stuff was the subject of much debate during the first week of March thanks to an appearance on Radio 4’s Loose Ends and articles in Daily Mail, the Times and the Sunday Telegraph. Read the full entry
Reading Waterstone’s Islington today
I’m doing a reading of The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs on this Thursday, 7 April at the Waterstone’s on Islington Green. If words are not enough for you, there will also be wine. Go on, it’s late-night closing and conveniently close to Upper Street which apparently has more bars per square foot than anywhere else in Britain. Or was in the world? Or maybe just … Read the full entry
Marvellously exciting trailers for the book
Hodder have made three brilliant trailers for The Pile of Stuff. They’re a dramatised tease for the book and capture its spirit really well. Do watch and enjoy… Read the full entry
We’re going to Miami…
This was the week I pretended to be Naomi Campbell, well a short, pasty version anyway. Monday , I was styled and photographed wearing the sort of clothes I can but dream of owning, followed by a whirlwind trip to Miami. Read the full entry
It’s a coming closer…
We’re now just over three weeks until the book officially comes out. I’m so shallow that one of my biggest goals around this momentous date was to lose half a stone, which would take me to a weight I haven’t been since before I had children. As if… More successful than my attempts to avoid carbs has been some writing that I’m doing to promote the book. Will post anything … Read the full entry
Grazia picks The Pile
The first Grazia magazine of the year has a preview of what to look out for in 2011. The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs is one of five reads recommended, illustrated by a sort of book cover mobile with its red blue artwork dangling beautifully. Read the full entry
The Bookseller’s verdict
Read what The Bookseller had to say about The Pile in its round-up of forthcoming publications.
PS it’s very complimentary. Obviously, or I wouldn’t be putting it here. Read the full entry