Well we're pretty much there!

Only five days until Comeback is officially out – or maybe three if you're reading this on Monday. It is a very exciting time for me and hopefully a little bit for you as well. At the very least I hope it takes some of the edge off lockdown.

Originally my fantasy was to go into a bookshop and see a copy of my book on the shelf – that was the mental target I was aiming for. That's obviously not going to happen until the later spring at the very earliest now, but in the meantime this morning I made do with holding a copy of the novel in my hands for the very first time.

I'd heard from friends that those who had ordered from their local indie bookshops via Hive.co.uk and Bookshop.org had started receiving the books this week. I couldn't resist it – rather than waiting for my official author copies I ordered one from City Books in Hove via the Hive web site. And it arrived this morning.

The oddest thing was how familiar it looked! Even though I'd only ever seen the pages and cover in pixels on a screen before, this physical object was so instantly recognisable, like an old friend. Who knows what this means; but in any case I certainly hope that it is the first of many.

I have been through this before with a couple of self-published books but for some reason it just wasn't the same. I think it's partly the paper stock! The pages of my two self-published books seemed to be thicker and glossier than a regular paperback - not quite what I'd expect when taking a book off a shelf and flipping through the pages.

This is much more like it. This is the real thing.

Of course all of you who are backers will be receiving your books plus rewards very soon so you’ll be able to see for yourselves. After the long journey we’ve all been through I do hope you all enjoy reading it! After all this is what it’s all about.

And if you want to, do please spread the word if you can – whether by leaving reviews on Goodreads or Amazon or by recommending the book to your friends.

When it comes down to it word of mouth is still the most powerful form of marketing there is.

The next time you hear from me I imagine the book will already be out which is quite a thought.