Dreams come in all shapes and sizes. I’ve had what footballers might call “a dream of two halves.” And Part 2 is coming true this week.
Part 1 happened nine years ago, when my first book was published. The first in my Aurelia Marcella series came out in the USA, and it was a great thrill to see my mystery as a real book with my name on it. Three sequels have appeared in the USA since, and I’ve been delighted each time, though sorry the bookshops and readers across the Pond were too far away for visiting. Some copies found their way here, but only a few. And as I’m a Brit and the stories are set here, I hung onto the hope that one day I’d be published in my home country too.
Now that’s happening. The first of Aurelia’s adventures, SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT, is being launched here this week, and the others will follow. They’ll still be there in the USA, so I have the best of both worlds, and that’s Dream Part 2 sorted.
The launch party for SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT (formerly GET OUT OR DIE) is being given by the UK publishers, Head of Zeus, on Thursday November 22 at Waterstones in York from 7.00 to 8.30. All sorts of friends are coming along for a drink and a chat…including some real live Roman soldiers! They’re part of a Roman history re-enactment group called Comitatus that I recently joined (well I never could resist men in military gear!) This photo gives a flavour of the wonderful displays they give. I don’t think the horses will be at the party, but the guys look just as impressive on foot. And if anyone is thinking of daring to utter a critical word about me, my books or my publishers, just bear in mind that Roman justice could be short and not very sweet!
No, this is going to be wall-to-wall fun. And all book lovers and history enthusiasts are welcome to come and help me celebrate my Dream Part 2.
Have a brilliant evening at the launch, Jane – sorry I can’t be there!
Ruth
Thanks so much, Ruth, I wish you could be with us too. One day when we are all mega-famous, we’ll jet to each other’s parties, but till then, I’ll drink a glass to Ruso and Aurelia and all good Roman sleuths!
Have a great launch, Jane, maybe the jetsetting on achieving fame could be dream no. 3, who knows? Sorry to miss it – but then, I would be like a fish out of water! Well done!! M xx
Thanks, Margaret – you’re right, I’ll start dreaming about being in the jet set (even though I think that’s more akin to fantasy than mystery!) and then I could whisk you over here from Denia or zoom down to yours whenever we felt like a glass and a chat.