That’s the question I’ve been asking myself this past fortnight - is all the energy I’ve been putting into promoting the book really worth it? I am absolutely exhausted, and feeling rather rotten at the moment, so this has given me a unwelcome opportunity to dwell on the things I’ve done and what I’ve achieved by doing them. The answer is, probably very little!

I haven’t said no to any opportunity I’ve been offered, no matter what scale it is or how scary (in the case of the radio shows). I’ve spoken frankly about my illness (which I haven’t really done before) in order to raise awareness (ironically, the need to do so is probably what has put me back to this meagre level of activity). I’ve followed all of the routes open to me from my computer (ie this Blog, my website, participation in forums, etc). I just couldn’t think of one more thing to do to increase sales. I was feeling extremely frustrated and fed up that I couldn’t do more. Then I read this:

http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/Mike-Scantlebury-1959/internet-publishing-15222.php

And I realised it’s not just me! It’s not because I’m ill and can’t promote my book! The reason for my frustration is that there’s nothing else I CAN do, like most first-time authors, rather than nothing else I’m ABLE to do. That made me feel a little better. I think I’d just hoped for too much, considering that this is my only BIG achievement (although I did finally get round to washing some cutlery this morning…) I think I’ve come to terms with the fact this this isn’t going to be my ‘big break’ and launch a career I can do from my bed/sofa. Sadly.

I wish I had some better news to tell you (like that reporter had got back to me, for example), but maybe next time. Until then, it’s back to the TV…

Why the title “Stir Crazy”? Not because I watched the film (Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder - excellent) this week, but until yesterday, I’ve been stuck indoors for what seems like an age.

Because of the book, I’ve heard from some people I haven’t heard from in a long, long time. Firstly, I got an email from my former boss, who’d been told about Karma from a ex-colleague (who’d heard the Mike Parr interview, and read the Sunday Sun article). The former had looked me up on the internet, and discovered my website. In turn, she’d passed this info on to another colleague who also contacted me through my website - as well as being a surprise, this also translated in to a few extra sales! They were going to buy from Waterstones in Newcastle, but I was forced to point out (again) that no-where in Newcastle, Gateshead or the Metrocentre stock the book, despite it being a) by a local author and b) set in the region. (ooh, reading this back, I sound a tad bitter, don’t I?)

Secondly, I was contacted through Friends Reunited (or bloody Friends Reunited, as Paige would say) by an old classmate. I logged on to the account we’d set up for our school reunion so I could reply, only to find that my sneaky little friend (who shall remain nameless) had contacted ALL of the people in my year at school to tell them about the book!!! I must admit that I was annoyed at first, but I know her heart was in the right place…

Then I decided to give things another go with the Libraries Service (as you’ll remember, I hit a bit of a dead end last time). This time, however, I got several nice emails, saying that they would order some books, and also that I could participate with the local Reader Groups - I love the idea of doing this, but am not quite sure what they will expect from me. I’ve never been to an Author Event before, so don’t know what the procedure is… Looking forward to finding out, but a bit nervous, too.

On Tuesday, I heard from ME NorthEast, who’d been approached about a feature about ME - to cut a long story short, I said I’d be happy to talk to the reporter about the condition, and promised to ring her. I did so immediately, before I chickened out, and she didn’t have a clue what I was talking about. I felt a bit silly and wondered if I’d got the wrong end of the stick (as I sometimes do) but she said she’d check it out and get back to me. Haven’t heard anything yet…

My haven’t I waffled today (don’t answer that: it was rhetorical). BTW, I found out where my delivery of books came from: I was the runner-up in Trashionista’s Jane Austen competition. I’m unexpectedly enjoying It’s In His Kiss by Julia Quinn ( http://www.juliaquinn.com/books/kiss.htm ) which, in my opinion, has the best unintentional double entendre I have seen in a historical romance novel. First line of chapter seven, if you’re interested (email me if you’re that curious)!

PS Quick plug for the forthcoming British Divers Marine Life Rescue’s Marine Mammal Medic Course. As a non-diving, water-phobic, non-swimming Medic, the least I can do is encourage other, more useful, people to attend. If you’re interested and can get to Tynemouth, keep Saturday 28th July free and visit this webpage: http://www.bdmlr.org.uk/pages/main.html - click on the ‘Training’ dolphin/link. The course is both interesting and fun, and the instructors/existing Medics are a great bunch! Despite my physical limitations, I was never made to feel less than part of the team, and I’m grateful for that! Health-permitting, I’ll be there, lending a hand/being a hindrance/eating chocolate biscuits (delete as applicable)…

Drum-roll, please…the winner is…MaryAnne!

The Judge was very impressed with the quality of all of the entries (and I’m relieved to say that there were no negative ones), and had the following to say about MaryAnne’s review:

“I liked the way it didn’t give away too much of the story but described the book really well. It made it sound like it really is - a funny book with lots of surprises, and not a tragic story as someone might expect if you just said it’s a book about someone who is ill & people are nasty to them.”

So, I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Here’s the winning review of Karma:

Amusing, entertaining, satisfying.
I first read the opening chapter of Karma in the Bookforce “Undiscovered Authors” competition. Holly A Harvey then went on to win for the North East of England and the result was this highly entertaining book.

After making her way through school as an object of ridicule and practical jokes, Paige has still not managed to pull her life together at the age of 28. Her working life is unsatisfactory and illness has left her straddled with debts that she just can’t clear.

In the office things are not going to plan. After 4 years she is still not happy there and office politics are a constant dark cloud. When Paige applies for promotion things really come to a head ; Karma needs a bit of a helping hand!

In the midst of this arrives an invitation to her school’s 10 year reunion. She bravely decides to face her fears and attends with her close friend Sarah. There are, after all, some scores to settle!

I loved the way the book unravelled. Thanks to karma, and with a little assistance, the bad get their just desserts - but not necessarily in the way you’d expect.

Witty and erudite, this is a must-read for all fans of better quality, non formulaic Chick-Lit.

MaryAnne has also kindly placed her review on Amazon. I hope you enjoy spending your Amazon voucher…on more books?

PS Haven’t managed to arrange joint radio-interviewee blog yet - maybe next week?

I’m having one of those days which go from bad to good to odd in succession (nothing major just a bit of an uppy-downy day, mood-wise).

I haven’t mentioned this to many people, but I’ve been doing a counselling course (thinking that if I ever get back to my old self, it might be a career I could pursue, alongside my massage therapy). However, today it dawned on me that I would make a terrible counsellor: I’m fairly opinionated and like to help people solve their problems - these aren’t characteristics of a good counsellor, as counsellors aren’t supposed to give advice (I don’t think I could help myself). Perhaps the course will help with my writing, as I may have more of an insight into the characters, so it isn’t a complete loss. Must look on the good side!

On the subject of writing (which is why I’m here), I’ve decided to start working on “Angela of the North” (cheesy title?) to keep me occupied, as I really need to rest up. Other writers have mentioned how hard it is to work on book number two, but I don’t feel any stress, as I’m only writing it for my own benefit - there are no publishers issuing deadlines, no agents and no pressure to complete it. It should keep me out of mischief for a while…some people will be glad to hear that!

Back on topic, the realisation that I’ll never make a counsellor was a bit of a low point. Then I got home to find the post woman had a package for me: two books and a note saying “Two more books to follow.” Strange, as I hadn’t ordered any. Then, minutes later, there was a knock on the door. A deliveryman handed me a large box which contained FOUR books (2 copies of 2 different titles). Peculiar! The only conclusion I can come to is that I won one of the many competitions I entered (via www.loquax.co.uk - great site to look at if you are bored or settee-bound). That was good and odd at the same time.

This weekend, I have some more to say on the topic of the BBC Radio Newcastle interview, but am hoping to do a joint posting with another Blogger. Intrigued? Watch this space. I will also be posting the winning Karma review this weekend.

Gotta go - websites to read, emails to check!