0 Thank You to the Bloggers - Eve Ainsworth

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the first ever UKYA Blogger awards. I was so exited to be going, not just because it was an excuse to drink wine and mingle with fellow book lovers, but also because it gave me a chance to thank some of the fantastic people that have been supporting and championing my book this year.

It can be so difficult being an author, never mind a debut one. You start to doubt whether people will enjoy your book, let alone talk about it. You worry that once published, it will disappear into the ether, never to be seen again.

And then wonderful things happen. A blogger will tweet that they've read it. They will talk about your cover. Share your reviews. Add you to their TBR list.

As time passed, I began to realise just what a supportive team the UKYA blogging community is. These guys love books and they love championing them.They are the foundations of what is a very happy and vibrant scene.

Saturday was a fantastic opportunity for me and others to thank these guys for their commitments and passion. There was a great collection of people there - authors such as James Dawson, Jonathan Stroud, Lisa Williamson, Abi Elphinstone and Keris Stainton, Publishers were also there, presenting and sponsoring awards - and of of course, so many bloggers were there - enthusiastic and welcoming as ever. I have to add that this whole event was arranged by the wonderful Andy Robb, who deserves congratulations on bringing this all together.

                                                        And the winners are,,,,,



Lots of awards were presented and each was greatly deserved. Winners included YA Yeah Yeah, Pewter Wolf, Dark Readers, Winged Reviews, Mile Long Bookshelf, Sister Spooky, Queen of Contemporary, Serendipity Reviews, Wondrous reviews and Tales of Yesterday.

But the best thing about the evening was having the opportunity to thank each blogger in person, because I had lots to thank them for.

I hope this night is the first of many more to come.

Detail: Thank You to the Bloggers - Eve Ainsworth

0 It's the most wonderful MONTH of the year - Eve Ainsworth

Usually I hate February. It’s a dark, bleak little month. Rain dances through the days and frost greets every morning. You have no money and little motivation. Additional weight gained at Christmas still hangs from your waist like a guilty secret and the resolution to take regular jogs feels like a long forgotten joke.

Yep, it’s usually a month I enter with fear and loathing. It’s usually the month I put a big black cross through, before rushing back to bed and reading myself through it.

 Except this year! This year was different.

February 2015 would be significant for me in many ways.

1    

      1.  I would leave my job

      2.   I would run my first Author visit

      3.  7 Days would finally be published.

Leaving my job was the first positive more. It was a tiring and stressful job that was no good for me in the long term. A job where I would go home and feel mentally and physically exhausted, barely able to think, let alone type. Resigning was like a strange release and I already know it’s the best thing I could’ve done. Yeah ok, we’re poorer. But I’m calmer and that has to be a good thing, right?

Next was a thing that filled me with fear. What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger right? That’s exactly how I felt about stepping out of my comfort zone and entering a brand new school as an author.

I’d done events at my own schools, but this was new and alien. I walked into the building, clutching my bag and trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in the pit of my tummy. BUT it ended up being the best. The students I met were so lovely and engaged and so interested in both 7 Days and my work as an author. I left feeling both inspired and accepted. I realised the buzz I’d gained was a totally new and refreshing experience. This was good for me.

And finally, February was when 7 Days was let out into the big bad world.

And it was a lovely day. I had cake mid-morning (why not). I treated myself to a dress. I received lots of wonderful tweets from supportive followers everywhere. I chatted on-line to other fabulous authors who were being published on the same day. We were all doing different things, but we all felt the same mixture of excitement and anticipation.

Then in the afternoon, I received a wonderful bouquet of flowers from my publisher that so far I have managed not to kill (a new record I feel). 

Later, I went for a meal with my husband. I had a lovely cocktail and a delicious Caribbean curry and toasted the start of an amazing year.

Because it will be an amazing year. This will be the first year I can actually admit to myself that I have ‘done it’, I have accomplished a dream. And whatever life throws at me, whatever the new ups and downs – I need to remind myself of this one moment.

The moment when I became a published author.

The moment when I finally felt like me.

Detail: It's the most wonderful MONTH of the year - Eve Ainsworth