Stop! I can see your finger hovering over the delete button 'cos you're busy, but this is a bumper update with a lot of news - some of which is particularly important. First though, can I extend a massive thank you to every single one of you for supporting our book - it means so much to me and I am truly humbled by you all.
Right, let's crack on:
1. Launch Party Invites
Okay, I've been giving this some thought and, although we're far off any kind of launch, I've changed my mind about the idea of there being any competition between you guys for a finite number of spaces. Instead, you'll ALL be invited to one of two planned launch events.
The current thinking is that I will have a more informal launch at an, as yet, undecided location (to which everyone will receive an invite) and, having discussed it with OCD Action, I also hope to launch at the OCD Action Conference 2020 - provided I fund quickly enough and the book release falls around May 2020.
2. OCD Action Conference 2019
I attended this year's OCD Action Conference on Saturday 11th May, which had around 550 people enjoying a day's programme of OCD-related talks, workshops and more. Along with my eldest daughter and Henry the inflatable alien, I had my own stall (see below):
The day was enjoyable and we managed to hand out all of our flyers and make a number of connections in the OCD community - all of whom I am excited about, in terms of prospective supporters for our project.
3. Arts Council England
I am also very excited to reveal that, with the support of OCD Action, I am making an application to the Arts Council England for National Lottery funding to support me with turning the novel into something altogether more ambitious. Getting Rory Hobble published will be a great achievement, yes, but I think it could do more and I think I could do more. That's why I'm discussing certain ideas with OCD Action that I hope will translate into financial backing from the Arts Council England. I aim to get my submission in before the end of May and it will take six weeks to get a decision. It is exceedingly tough to get funding, as there is a lot of competition, but I believe in the power of what our book could mean for child sufferers of OCD and, to that end, I will give it everything I've got.
I have also been supported in this endeavour by a fellow Unbound author who was successful in achieving funding for her own work and so for her input I am truly thankful.
4. Brixton BookJam
And the event that kicked off what has been a busy week was my appearance at the Brixton BookJam on Monday 6th May. Wanna hear a bit more from Rory Hobble? Well, here's four minutes of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zWLEx9iBKk&t=4s!
Now, I've kept you long enough, so thank you for reading and I wll send another update soon!