Yes, it probably should be the second version, because that’s how it feels – the reality of my new novel delivered to my door: proof that I actually reached the end of the process of creating a second book.

Well, the process isn’t quite finished…

but my part is complete. My editor at Honno has just sent off the typeset to the printers. In a few weeks, the final version of ‘Emmet and Me’ will be on its way to bookshops, ready for publication day on 20th May. But for now, I’m making the most of the proof copies.

They’re not for me to keep, no matter how much I’d love to – they’re to send out to reviewers; but when I opened the parcel I couldn’t help taking a moment to hug them and breathe in that beautiful smell of new book. A little bit odd, I grant you.

And when Simon and I went out to the country park, I couldn’t leave them at home.

So here’s ‘Emmet and Me’…

in the woods…

at the beach…

and back home on the lawn…

with a few items that feature large in the story of Claire O’Connell and Emmet.

(I towel-dried the grass to keep the cover clean! Spot the difference between this image and the one at the top of the page.)

Soon, I’ll be packing up the proofs again and sending them off to reviewers, and the next time I’ll hold a copy, it’ll be the final article, complete with a gorgeous cover-quote from a fabulous book-blogger who’s been generous enough to give up her time to read an even earlier version (more about that to come).

I’m extremely grateful to that wonderful book-blogger, and all book-bloggers, reviewers and readers everywhere!

Thank you, too, for reading this post by a very excited writer!

Until next time,

Sara x

PS. On Sunday 25th April at 2pm I’ll be discussing my novels with Seonaid Francis of Black Bee Books as part of the Llandeilo LitFest which is happening online this year. It would be lovely to see you there! Tickets for the event called ‘Broken Families and Forbidden Friendships’ available now.

Available to read and review on NetGalley now!

Pre-order from Honno

Pre-order from BookshopUK

Pre-order from Amazon