FEBRUARY 2010

As I launch my website, here is the story so far…

I was taken on by my literary agent, Darley Anderson, in the summer of 2008, and I signed a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster UK and Atria US in November of that year (more about this on the Getting Published page). My first novel, DAUGHTERS OF FORTUNE, is due to be published in the UK on 18 March 2010, and in the US on 11 May 2010. The book was published first in Latvia in October 2009 (under the title Fortnas Meitas). So far, I've signed book deals in eleven territories: UK & Commonwealth, US, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Turkey.

Since signing my book deal, I've been lucky enough to have some fabulous celebratory treats, including going into my publisher's offices to meet the team over tea and cakes; attending the 2009 Romantic Novelist Association lunch; and being taken out by my agent for a celebratory lunch at the Tate Britain's Whistler Restaurant.

I've also met some lovely people along the way, particularly fellow novelist Milly Johnson. Milly is as warm-hearted and funny as her novels, and she's taken me under her wing this past year, supplying me with lots of support and advice. You can find out more about Milly, her books and her insightful publishing tips at www.millyjohnson.com

At the beginning of this month, I received the final version of the US cover of my novel, which you can see below. I think it captures the spirit of the book perfectly: the glamour and fun; the secrets and intrigue; the wealth and upper class Englishness. The imposing country house looks exactly as I imagine Aldringham, and the three young women are perfect representations of my main characters, Elizabeth, Caitlin and Amber. Perhaps I'm being fanciful, but to me the gold gilding makes the book look like a diary, with a clasp ready to be opened to reveal the secrets inside. Anyway, I think it looks gorgeous!