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Publication of What we have in common

Today I took delivery of the newly printed and bound copies of What we have in common. Opening the first box had an element of surprise about it – not because it was the wrong book, it was the right book – but it was like insect metamorphosis. 

Friday 3rd December

Today I took delivery of the newly printed and bound copies of What we have in common. Opening the first box had an element of surprise about it – not because it was the wrong book, it was the right book – but it was like insect metamorphosis.  My manuscript, like a caterpillar, had disappeared, and had come back turned into this beautiful book. I knew it was happening, but the experience of seeing and holding the book gave me that sense of surprise and awe. It was worth it in that moment. 

I had been unsure what to expect in working with a graphic designer to create a book cover, and was very fortunate that I found First Graphic Communications Ltd, a local Exmoor firm that specialises in producing printed and online materials, who could both produce the book in print form and also do the graphic design for the cover. Working with Mark and Phil was a delight, and it was extraordinary how they translated my rough descriptions of my vision into the beautiful and striking book jacket for WWHIC. I am in awe of how that metamorphosis worked, too. 

You know that saying that it takes a village to raise a child? I’m wondering what the best metaphor is for the process of producing a book. To have reached this point, poised for publication, it has certainly taken an unexpected number of people to form the ad hoc village to raise the child; printers and jacket designers were always going to be needed, and the proof-reading, publishing and editing advice of Jon Ingoldby gave me the added value of confidence that I could do this. So everybody in this ad hoc team played an important part, and I am grateful to them all, and the beta readers, those early readers over three years ago, most of all.  After all, I’ve written the book to be read. 

Tomorrow I’m having a publication day launch, in a community bar in the next village. We’ll be socially distancing and wearing masks, serving coffee and cakes, and I’ll be signing copies, and all sales will be donations to Parkinson’s UK.

8th December

Publication day on Saturday was so much fun! I loved talking to everyone; both friends and strangers who dropped by. That book jacket feels like silk, and was rightly much admired. To talk over other people talking in the background, and through a mask much of the time, however, meant by the afternoon I had almost lost my voice. Wonderful. I couldn’t have enjoyed the day more, and it was all thanks to the help I had from my family members who came to lend their hands, skills and va va voom, and the people who came and chatted, savoured cake and bought copies. And who donated so generously to Parkinson’s UK. 

 Now I can resume writing Tamwary, which I started in 2018 in one of the lulls while WWHIC  was maturing. That’s at the same time as seeing WWHIC  go out into the world and meet new readers, and I’m really looking forward to hearing what they  – you – think. So please let me know.