Final drafts, edits and hell

What do the above three have in common. Hmm. Not difficult, is it? They all involve time spent away from XFactor, EastEnders, donut-buying activities and any other insignificant way I can procrastinate.

Marrying Out of Money, my second novel, is due out on ebook/Kindle etc November 30th, and it is going to be a close-run thing as to whether it is ready in time.

There are so many important aspects of publicity that I am ignoring, because I am tied to my desk (before and after hours, thanks to my day job) writing, fine-tuning, and generally freaking out.

Luckily, the paperback version of the title is now scheduled for mid-2011 (phew), which does give me some time to drum up decent business, but still, we all know how important it is for authors to get out there and spread the word. Instead of spreading jam on a toastie, which is about what I am managing these days.

On a brighter note, Naked in Knightsbridge is selling well on Kindle - a nice surprise, especially since I expected loads of returns when people realised it wasn't porn. As chick-lit authors go, I am pretty sedate when it comes to bedroom antics (literally, and in an authorship sense!). I suppose too much gooey stuff bores me, so I prefer not to include it.

So that's it for now. Apologies if I am a little down-beat. Must be low blood sugar!

Best,

Nicky.

ME, MYSELF AND NICKY

So, as most of you may suspect, my true identity is hidden from the world-at-large. The reason, of course, is that should the world-at-large (read: those with little or no sense of humour) discover my serious daily persona actually hides a slightly deranged cake-eating chick-lit author, me and my reasonably large rear end will become too-well acquainted with a Jools'-style cardboard box in which to live. Well, okay, I probably won't get booted into a box, but certain people I come into contact with on a daily basis may be less than impressed with my schizo tendencies.

Having said all that, it is kind of nice living a double life, particularly as I get to admit to my hero worship of sugar without it affecting any stuffy board meetings. God, I hate those meetings. The ones where they lay out half-a-dozen tasty little morsels but every single woman in the room refuses one least she looks like a porker just released from a trough. Now, you'd think I would just tuck in, wouldn't you (given I have no self-control when it comes to pastries), but no, when I am not Nicky, I am serious, sensible, and even manage to keep the decibels on my stomach rumbles to a level only a dog could hear.

Luckily, I am becoming adapt at being Nicky for a good portion of the day now. Before work, lunch, after work. It's amazing how many cafes will let you linger over one cappuccino for hours. Well one coffee and four cupcakes, but you get the point.

So, that's it for Nicky now. Time to head back to tedium and statistics. I'll write again soon. But first, must really spend some time on Marrying Out of Money! Happy eating,

N.

So it’s that time of year again, when my thoughts turn to buying delicious pressies for people, and over-indulging in, well, everything really.

I got to thinking, what would I give someone as a present if I was living on the street like Jools and had to be thrifty? Let’s see. My book, obviously, but I only get a few free copies and at £7.99, buying them is not an option for someone like Jools. So for my editor, free samples from the cosmetics counter at her favourite Oxford Street store would be ideal. And maybe some ‘chic’ takeaway forks from the condiments counters at the high street cafes for Gran. After all, her sight is going anyway, poor thing.

Invited to the outlaws this year for Christmas lunch - what could I possibly take on a nil budget like Jool’s? Well, Lidl is always a great option, isn’t it. A whole litre of ice-cream for £1, or so I’ve heard … That’s only a fiver for five litres. Hmmmmm. And a few rolls of bargain toilet paper is bound to be appreciated. As with cakes, you can never have enough.

And finally, for the ultimate thrifty Christmas pressies for those nearest and dearest, I would look no further than eBay. If Jools can auction herself online, surely it would be possible to find quite a few Christmassy items for girls and dudes on a budget? A quick look just now illuminated a new artificial tree for 3 quid for the partner to put up for me, some tinsel for 1p (I better check the postage), or if you are willing to splurge you can find some for 10p; and in honour of Jools, a pair of brand spanking new flip flops with the face of a Queen (not sure which one) for a mere 50p.

How can one go wrong?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some bids to place … oh looks like I was right £8.99 postage from Hong Kong.

Merry Christmas everyone, I’ll be back blogging in the New Year.