Fighting over the BLAD

Until just a few moths ago I had never heard of a BLAD. It certainly doesn't sound very glam. In fact the first time I heard it was from a book store manager in Waterstones in Oxford who said he'd very much look forward to seeing my BLAD. I wondered for a split second if he had a speech impediment and meant BRAD ( although quite why I'd be in there I have no idea!) Not one to nod and pretend I asked what is a BLAD. He was kind enough to explain that it stands for Book Layout And Design which is what the book sellers use to give to the book shops to show them how Prepped! will look. If they like it, they will order it. Copies also go the media and book reviewers.

Yesterday my publishers sent two copies of the BLAD's to me. I left one at home and like a child with a still wet painting, I rushed over to my mum to show her. My sister Fleur was there and the two of them poured over it comenting excitedly about the wild pink cover and the beautiful layout. I had goosebumps, no one would give me a more honest opinion that my mum and my sister.. to the point that my mother when she tells me something I don't want to hear says that no one else will tell you and I'm telling you because it's for your own good. Honesty guaranteed... and they loved it!

Mys sister then asked if she might take it to work. Mum then looked at me and said she'd like to keep it. They both looked at me. Rock/ Hard place / Rock. I left them to argue it out. My sister won by saying she has a contact in TV through her best friend Ali and that clinched it.

Luckily more arrived this morning .. so after I've made a version of Heston's christmas pudding phenomena I shall drop in and give mum hers.