Monday 15 February 2010

Living the Dream

You can read my web interview with bibliophile Helen J Beal http://bit.ly/8WWNH4 which appears after her review of CUT SHORT -
"I couldn’t put ‘Cut Short’ down – a thoroughly gripping, sprint paced, creepy thriller... Steel is a brilliant and sympathetic character the reader really roots for... A thoroughly satisfying read AND I have just pre-ordered Leigh’s next title, ‘Road Closed’ on Amazon."
Thank you, Helen!

If anyone had told me two years ago that I'd be sitting at my desk as a published author right now, I would have been surprised. The past eight months have been an amazing experience. Fortunately, CUT SHORT has sold well, and received good reviews. Recent ones include a man who advised readers to "Buy this book. Steal it. Whatever you do, read it" which made me laugh (Please don't steal my book!) and someone called Mary who praised me for "going for the jugular." I like that! Here's a link to a reading from CUT SHORT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW31xmq30yA

Yes, I've been very lucky so far.

Handing over ROAD CLOSED to be printed is rather different. Of course I was nervous about the publication of CUT SHORT, but that was a quick peek over the parapet. No one knew about it. I could duck down into anonymity again, hiding behind a pseudonym. With ROAD CLOSED, I have fans with expectations. And I no longer have the excuse of being a debut author, with its connotations of innocence, naivete and youth (ha!)

Yes, I'm living the dream. Yes, it's gone about as well as it could so far... and now my head is well and truly above the parapet.




No going back now.

So here I am, blogging and tweeting, emailing and linking, anything to avoid dotting the last i and crossing the final t of ROAD CLOSED so it can be handed over for printing.

Am I nervous? Who, me? No way. I'm not nervous... I'm terrified.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cut-Short-Geraldine-Steel/dp/1842432710

http://www.amazon.com/cut-Short-Geraldine-Steel/dp/1842432710

ROAD CLOSED can be preordered on amazon.co.uk Thank you to everyone who has already preordered

33 comments:

Stella Jones said...

Well, if it's as good as the last one, it will be a success. Are you going to give us a synopsis? Shall we know 'who-dunnit' from the start this time?
Good luck with it.
Blessings, Star

Leigh Russell said...

No, you won't know who-dunnit from the start - then again, maybe you will...

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

I'm looking forward to reading it and I'm sure it'll be wonderful just like Cut Short.

HelenMWalters said...

Ditto what Debs said. Exciting times for you.

Leigh Russell said...

Thanks Debs. You've been with me from the start, before Cut Short was published. I feel like old friends!

Leigh Russell said...

Exciting, Helen? Should be. The sad reality is that I've just spent two whole days on work that should have taken about two hours. Such hard work, doing the final final working.
As I'm typing this, I've just finished scanning my corrected hard copy - and I've just thought of something I should have included... !

Leigh Russell said...

And I'm EXHAUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

How very exciting for you! Go with it, enjoy it - and RELAX!

Revel in these great experiences and look forward to the next round!

Leigh Russell said...

Hi Crystal - respect to you for proof reading. It's such hard work. There's so much more to it than checking spelling and punctuation. Like making sure a murder that happens on Saturday isn't referred to as having happpened on Saturday!

The Old Silly said...

I just had to come over here after the hilarious comment you left on my blog yesterday, lol. Nice blog, I'll be back. And berst wishes for great success with the new (and all) release(s)!

Marvin D Wilson

Leigh Russell said...

You're very welcome. How could I not feel at home on a blog called The Old Silly? Great blog. I'll be back. Hope to see you over here again.

Gill - That British Woman said...

thanks for popping by my blog and commenting.

Good luck with this new book, I will have to see if I can find your first book to read as well.

Gill in Canada

Leigh Russell said...

Hi Gill, good to see you here. Cut Short is available on amazon.ca if you're interested.

Gill - That British Woman said...

In answer to your question, no that's not my house, but one accross the way. Here is as link to my house: http://thatbritishwoman.blogspot.com/2009/06/photos-of-outside-of-house-and-more-on.html

Gill in Canada

Leigh Russell said...

Lovely views, Jill. I've been back to your blog to comment there.

Val Ewing said...

Cheers! Finish it up and send it out so we can all enjoy!

Gill - That British Woman said...

Just wanted to say thank you for the lovely comments about our house!!

Gill in Canada

Leigh Russell said...

I'll be delivering it tomorrow, Val. Sleeping with the hard copy under my pillow tonight!

Akasha Savage. said...

I'm sure you have nothing to worry about Leigh. I can't wait to read Book Number 2. :)

fizzycat said...

Looking forwood to the new book. I was going to answer about the sock here but the comment turned into a blog entry about gluten free cake on the blog !
I don't tweet myself, amazing all the things you are doing( blogging signings, spellchecks, publicity)when writing as well.
Terrified? Don't be, we will love it.

Leigh Russell said...

~thanks, akasha - it's good to hear from old blog buddies!

Leigh Russell said...

socks and gluten free cake - and you call me amazing, fizzy! I have an image of you baking gluten free cake in your socks...

TomCat said...

Hi Leigh. First thanks for your visit and comment at Politics Plus on the 16th. I apologize that getting back to you took so long. It's been one of those weeks. How did you find PP?

On topic, congrats on your success as a writer. I have a bunch of online friends that would envy you.

Mel said...

I am sure you'll be fine, looking forward to it already! Heading over to amazon to reserve my copy.

Rick said...

I'm convinced it's going to be an even bigger seller than your first book. And you desrve absolutely every good thing that happens to you.

Jen said...

I can't wait! I enjoyed CUT SHORT a lot and I do want more DI Steel.

Leigh Russell said...

Hi Tomcat - tell all your online friends about CUT SHORT! I can't remember how I found your blog but it would have been through a comment you left on another blog I visit. I'm glad I found yours. Really interesting blog.

Leigh Russell said...

Thank you, Mel. The cover has been updated on amazon so you'll have seen the right one. I want to ask them to make my name bigger, but it would be too narcissistic, wouldn't it?

Leigh Russell said...

I work very hard, Rick, rarely less than 18 hours in a day, but I'm very conscious that there are many writers who do the same who haven't had my good luck.

Leigh Russell said...

Thank you, Jen. It is so exciting - and slightly surreal - to know that there are fans of my writing. How did that happen?!

Guillaume said...

That's great. It must feel great too. I envy you...;-)

Leigh Russell said...

It is fun, Guillaume, but also a lot of hard work, not to mention a few collywobbles!

TomCat said...

Thanks Leigh. I'll be moving to Wordpress, but after I do, remind me and I'll set up a book link for you.