My book, The Mothers of SW19, is out on Thursday. Am I spiralling? Absolutely.
I’m having an unlucky week. My roof is leaking and it destroyed some of my books. Then I went to throw out one of those squishy toys, that are in the news after splitting opening, and harming a child. The irony, it broke and my skin’s had a horrible reaction. I hope this unlucky steak doesn’t mean anything when it comes to the launch of my precious book baby. I know, cringe, but the amount of work that goes into writing a novel. A.I. could never.
It took six weeks to write and six years to publish. It had 26 full requests when I queried it. I even had agents from New York contacting me directly. This was before the spam email wave for authors. When is that ever going to end?
On Thursday, the 27th of August, my third novel comes out into the world. It is a true labour of love and is about many themes that are close to my heart. Obsession, jealousy, revenge, cliques, motherhood, female friendship, loneliness, social media influencers, journalists… The Mothers of SW19 has it all in a famous postcode. Emma is in her thirties and in the hardest season of her life. Annabel is in her forties and the Queen B.
Synopsis.
Unassuming Emma, a blogger turned wannabe social media influencer, moves to an exclusive enclave in SW19 to get her son into the best school in the area. On the first day of school, she bumps into Annabel, a gregarious journalist who is head of the PTA.
An unfortunate misunderstanding leads to a clash, and the school gate mothers taking sides. Emma’s world has been blown apart by motherhood. As she struggles to find her new identity, she has to defend herself against Annabel and her clique. The mean girls with mortgages.
Emma learns a devastating secret about Annabel that could destroy her entire life. Will Emma play dirty to win, and what lengths will Annabel go to protect what she has?
There can only be one winner. But what will be the cost?
It’s already had amazing reviews and blurbs. Apparently the preorders are also going great guns. August has been busy. Thankfully we went to Centre Parcs at the end of July and rented a lodge for a week. It was a great week of kayaking, swimming, boating, and eating lots of great food. I have filed so much copy during August. Enjoy this piece from the Telegraph on my children telling me I should not be eating nachos, ‘at my age.’ Ouch.
I have had a lot of photographers coming into the chaos which gives me a reason to tidy. I also had a tiny piece in Good Housekeeping.
There are two weeks left of the summer holidays. The book will be going on tour from Thursday. It is a pacy and sharp satire. When a child is born, a mother is reborn. There are not enough books about mothers. The Mothers of SW19 is Motherland on crack. It’s darker and sexier. With an insufferable character that makes Amanda in Amandaland seem reasonable. I hope you catch it around. If you want a copy you can order one here: The Mothers of SW19. It’s also available on kindle unlimited, ebook and paperback.
