I’ve been having a lovely time because Anna Louise Lucia has come to visit for a day, before she is my date for the RNA awards lunch tomorrow (yikes!!). Of course being the totally selfish and obsessive person I am I immediately whisked her into a cafe and started grilling her about what I should do next in my book. Poor woman, one minute we were talking about porridge and how nice it is for breakfast and the next I was babbling on about imaginary people.
She helped, though. She is a genius.
Speaking of the awards lunch. Again: yikes! I had no idea it was tomorrow until I thought about it just now. In one way it is great: I get to dress up in my lovely lovely silk frock and my gorgeous gorgeous silver shoes and drink champagne with a room full of very interesting and glamorous people.
In another way it is terrifying: though I do not expect to win the RNA Romance Prize because frankly the competition is far too good, even the slightest ghost of a chance can make me nervous enough to pee myself.
I mean, being shortlisted is awesome. It is all hooray yippee! and new frocks and champagne lunches and boasting to friends and family in a very discreet way of course, and walking down the street smiling secretly because someone thinks my book is good, and wow I’m on the list with her and her and her and her?
But the moment when they announce the winner, I will be all sweaty palms and flipflopping stomach and furious hopes for bladder control.
Anyway. I am focusing on the hooray yippee! aspect and the frock. And before the lunch I’m meeting with another author, a fascinating person whose book has inspired me a great deal, so that’s another glorious thing to think about. Oh and according to rumour, afterwards Biddy has booked us a table at a gorgeous Turkish restaurant and that will be relaxing and wonderful.
Speaking of award nominees, pop over to Kate Hardy’s blog today to get the next installment of the Modern Heat authors’ Treasure Hunt.
I’m not going to say ‘don’t worry’ because you remember my rabbit-in-headlights stage at the RNA lunch before last.
Although I’m far from being blase about it, this time I am not going to be as nervous. (The worst bit is when they drag it out and go through all the books and inside you’re whimpering, ‘Please just put us out of our misery…’)
My guess is that it’ll go to Lucy Gordon. I have a feeling.
)
Right. Off to pack. See you tomorrow, hon!
Looking forward to seeing you there in all your finery. I shall try and save some voice for the whooping. Hope the weather is kind!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for all of you. I couldn’t even get out of my seat last year. If it hadn’t been for Michelle I would still be there now, rooted to the spot with fear and shock.
babbling on about imaginary people….sounds like bliss.
bucket loads of good luck for tomorrow…
i have a new writing pad and my husbnad so doesn’t get it, as i keep flaunting it at him…maybe i should get one covered in black lace and keep us both happy?!
make that husband not husbnad…gosh, why agents don’t want me, i can’t understand!
Good luck tomorrow Julie.
I got my copy of ONS about ten minutes ago and I’m wondering if I should feign a headache so I can go home early and start reading…damn my conscience!
Fingers, toes and eyes crossed! Good luck!
Are you guys going to Kazan? Because I might just hate you if you are. Beware the squeaky seats! (Oh, and hug Anna for me)
Good luck hon – I’m sitting here waiting to hear results!
I, too, am anxiously awaiting the results, dearest!
I’ll have everything crossed for you — best of luck!
Kate Hardy won! Hooray!
But I got to go to Kazan.
Yes: I am a genius…