Here we again folks! Another month has zipped by and I find myself writing the April #writinglife round up. I fully expected April to drag its heels, but bringing publication of The Secret Seaside Escape forward by a couple of weeks has certainly kept me on my toes! So, what's been going on?
The first thing I'm going to mention doesn't really have anything to do with writing at all, but please indulge me. It was my birthday on the 8th and I found a local Café who would deliver Afternoon Tea straight to my front door. It was such a treat!
Would you look at the loveliness...
Everything in the box not only looked amazing, it tasted delicious too and I couldn't help thinking that Jemma and Lizzie from The Cherry Tree Café in Wynbridge would definitely be offering a bespoke baked home delivery service during #lockdown. Wouldn't you agree?
A week later, publication day dawned. I openly admit that I was nervous about The Secret Seaside Escape being published. I knew the story was proving popular - there were well over 150 reviews on Netgalley to reassure me about that, but would anybody be buying books, reading books or even talking about books?
My fears were very quickly set aside when I turned my phone on at 6am and it was still buzzing at bedtime! My social media feeds were jam packed all day and the reviews started pouring in. Just a week in and there are over 100 on Amazon and they are all 4 and 5 stars. The #shelfies from various supermarkets have been appearing too and that's been a real surprise. Huge and heartfelt thanks to everyone who has enjoyed their trip to Wynmouth, posted a pic or uploaded a review. Your kind words and images have been very much appreciated.
Seeing all the beautiful paperback pics had me wishing for my own (my author copies are still en route), so I did something I've never done before - I ordered my own book online. It didn't take more than 24 hours to arrive and I was instantly smitten.
I've never had a yellow cover before and I absolutely love it. The blue foils used for the title add a real pop of colour and you all know exactly how I feel about bunting, right?
And as if that wasn't all enough excitement there's the #blogtour which is still in full swing thanks to the fabulous #swainette blogging crew and a variety of online events in lieu of the usual signings. Massive thanks to Books and The City for setting up the #AtHomeWith on Twitter, My VLF for featuring me on the Romance Panel and to Victoria Walters for inviting me to take part in my first Instagram Live.
News also broke about my next festive title this month - The Winter Garden. This will be our first Christmas in Nightingale Square and I can't wait to share the story with you. The cover is absolutely exquisite. I'll be having a reveal for that very soon and in the meantime I'm planning the Summer 2021 release, but my lips are sealed about that!
And just when I thought it wasn't possible to squeeze anything else into April, I had a lovely short story published in the May edition of Woman and Home and two fabulous friends set up a Heidi Swain Book Club group on Facebook where folk can chat about all things Wynbridge, Nightingale Square and Wynmouth. If you get the chance, do take a look because it really is absolutely lovely.
So, that was April. I very much hope this post finds you all safe and well and hopefully by the time I'm writing the next round up, we'll have all been out for a few - appropriately distanced - adventures.
Take care and stay safe.
With love
H x
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