Nearly eight years in the making. Nothing but a vague dream, a hopeful aspiration to begin with. An idea. An ambition. And now it’s here. It’s real. The very rushed man from UPS delivered it in the morning, oblivious to the importance of the cargo he was carrying.
I know what’s in these boxes. Tears? Why, of course. I’m all choked up with emotion, and I haven’t even opened them yet.
My book! There it is…
It’s beautiful. It smells gorgeous, that hot-of-the-press smell of fresh ink. And it’s all mine. I did that!
Of course, I had lots of help along the way, and you all know who you are, but this moment… this is mine. And in less than two weeks, it can be anyone’s.
My two boys, witnessing their mummy’s moment of pure joy, decide to capture the occasion for all eternity and grab the camera. Thank you, my lovelies!
And finally… here’s me and my book baby.
What a feeling!
Nicky Wells: Love & Thrills 
Fantastic! How many times have you stroked your book now? 🙂
I of course can’t wait to have the real thing sat on my bookshelf.
Well done you.
Sue
x
Psst **whispers** It’s right here on my desk, and I stroke it every five minutes or so. Just to make sure it hasn’t disappeared!! When are your hardcopies arriving, any thoughts? Please let me know so I can give you a big pat on the shoulder. It’s just the most amazing moment. A bit like having a baby, but less painful there and then….
Oh My GOD they are gorgeous!!! How many copies is that in 2 boxes. I am so happy for you Nicky ; ) xx
**Smiles hugely, inanely** Thank you so much!!! That’s 30 copies; a few for the family and the rest for book signings, etc, as and when I get any scheduled.
They’re beautiful Nikki! Can’t wait to read it when it hits the shelves! Best of luck xx
Thanks so much, Jill, I am really excited to hear that. Love that you stopped by and commented! 🙂
(Sorry for spelling your name wrong, am using silly phone and it assumed it knew better…)
No worries whatsoever. It is a completely random spelling where Nikki would have been much easier! I adopted the -cky ending in secondary school when a second Nikki entered my class and we tossed a coin who got what spelling so we could be distinguished. I like it now, but it does cause confusion. 🙂 Thanks for coming back though, that’s very sweet!
You will get signings, I still remember your radio interview, you are ultra personable : ) Seriously, your book is beautiful, what a cover! if your loved up couple could climb out the pages they’d kiss you x x
Bless you, Yasmin! I feel kissed by proxy. XX It’s your launch day, whoop: how’s it going?? Hope you’re celebrating!!!
I’m exhausted but loving it, bowled over by everyone’s kindness : ) It means a lot to me, I really, honestly didn’t know how this day would go. I hope people mooch the novel and like what they find and want to find out more,love it and spread the word!! That’s all I can wish for! x
Congratulations, my dear, it must be such a nice feeling, to sniff them and touch them and rearrange them. Give them a stroke for me, too!
Am stroking on your behalf as I type… and **holds up copy to computer** here, have a sniff, too. Thanks for sharing in my excitement, Marina! It’s a little bit like in the old days when those goldbooks would turn up on our desks… only BETTER! Glad you’re here.
Oh, much better! After all, it’s your complete baby, not one with many parents and lots of retouches.
Stroke, stroke!! LOL!! Brilliant! Enjoy every second!
Hahaha, I certainly am!! xx Thanks, Mandy!
OMG! OMG! They look so amazing! I am truly, truly, happy for you. I am sending a hug across the water. You did do this. Soak up every minute. You’re the rock star, my dear. 🙂
HUG BACK! And singing loudly…. **Total eclipse of the heart…** (you joining in again yet?)
Thanks Steph, I am so proud! Definitely soaking it in, bit by bit. Your turn soon, too….. XXX
I am singing right back! I am joining in and Aaron is sitting here rolling his eyes. 😉
I can’t believe it. We’ve both been so fortunate. xxx
Hahaha! At least he doesn’t get my rendition this time. Love him–say Hi. And yes, we’re both very fortunate!!!
Oh Boy Nicky! CONGRATS !!! You deserve it.
I know precisely how you must feel, you must feel sheer ecstasy and in seventh heaven while you took that first whiff of the black ink on those formerly blank white as flipped the pages in front of your nose. Then as you opened the book towards the middle, pressing and caressing it against your nose to inhale more deeply the smell of success you’ve struggle for so long. GOOD LUCK on your upcoming [which I know you’ll get] book signing events as well as on your future writing endeavors [endeavours = UK].
I must admit I’m somewhat envious as I’m about ten pages short of completing my first novel, but my muses have been somewhat naughty these past several days, directing me to write more on the other stories they’ve given me ideas for. But this weekend I must turn a deaf ear to them, even it means putting beans in my ears.
BTW Nicky, if you [or any of your followers] would like to have any off-line marketing ideas, please feel free to check it out on my website.
http://mypennameonly.webs.com/offlinemarketing.htm
Now you can sit back in a large comfy chair, take your shoes off, put your feet up and take a rest for a while. YOU DESERVE AND EARNED IT !!!
Wow, I couldn’t have said it better myself–thank you! What wonderful empathy, you nailed it 100 per cent. Cool stuff, thanks for visiting and commenting and good luck with your muse this weekend…. xxx
Absolutely brilliant, Nicky. I am so pleased for you 🙂 It looks fabulous and I’m looking forward to owning and reading a copy.
xxx
Thanks so much, Laura!!!!! That means a lot! 🙂 xxx
Some things are well worth waiting for! It’s so close now – and we’re all waiting for the party to end all parties. Congrats honey! Lx
More like, the party to START all parties, whooop! Thanks, Linn! Wish you lived closer… then you could come round for a real glass of bubbly. Will do a virtual fizz instead. XX
A wonderful moment indeed. Such a relief when they arrive. Well done and enjoy all that tangible stuff!
I am, and I will, and I won’t stop. Thanks for your lovely comment, Miriam! xx
Congratulations Nicky! You really deserve it. I hope you sell thousands and I wish you every success for the future. Get those champagne corks popping!! xx
Emily, thank you so much. I hope I sell thousands, too: that would really be a dream come true. Ha! Anyway, putting another bottle on ice now so we don’t run out on launch day. Will you be coming? XXX
Yay – congratulations Nicky! Lovely photos!!
Thanks Janice! The credit goes to my 5yo and 7yo who took the photos and took turns in taking them, too. One shot each for each pose, with precise instructions what I had to do. Bless them!
Wow! HUGE congratulations, Nicky. What fabulous photos. Be very proud. I’m thrilled for you and cannot wait to read Sophie’s Turn. This launch will be a party to remember 🙂 x x
Jan!!! So happy you could visit today. I shall certainly try and make it a party to remember. If you have any particular requests, now is the time to let me know…. Whoop! Thanks for your fabulous comment. 🙂 xx
Aw, congratulations, Nicky! What a milestone! I hope you enjoy every minute of this. 🙂
Hey, Tracie: thanks so much for stopping by!! I certainly am enjoying every minute of it. Still stroking and sniffing it… (that sounds weird, somehow, LOL, but you know what I mean). Thanks for visiting and your lovely words. XXX
whoop! Amazing moment Nicky. Such an achievement. You’ve worked hard to get where you are today. Congratulations lovely lady x x
Thank you, Shaz! That means a lot from you. And wasn’t it you who set me down in blogosphere and pointed me in the right direction??? Thank you. XX
Was just sharing what I knew and you ran with it 🙂 x x
LOL. That’s one way of putting it, I suppose. Glad you didn’t say I ran away with it… or it with me…. hahaha!
lol x
So fun!! Congrats! 🙂
Thanks, Dina, and thanks for tweeting about it. YAY! xx
It’s amazing, Nicky! I’m very happy for you! Congratulations, lovely! Hugs and kisses from Malaysia 🙂 xx
Thanks so much, Eve! I’m so happy that you could come and visit. Love the hugs and kisses all the way from sunny Malaysia…. XXX
I really wish to visit you! I’d be happy to see you 🙂 xx
Feels great, doesn’t it?! So happy for you, Nicky. Hope you sell millions.
It does feel great! And millions… well now, that would be **quite** something! Thanks for your good wishes! xx
Congratulations Nicky, well deserved and so exciting. I have an idea of how you feel – every time we got albums/singles and videos released we would go through the same thrill and sense of achievement when boxes arrived with our own copies and then walking into a Music Store and seeing a display of the CD’s – unreal. Enjoy and savour. The press coverage, critiques and reviews come next….more thrills and reasons to pinch yourself. Good Luck and many many sales. xx
I know how you feel! Experienced that myself not too long ago and I’m now waiting for my second book to arrive!! Like you, I did the same…cried, took pics! (smile) Congratulations. I KNOW all the hard work, long hours and constant attention this endeavor took to make happen. Best of luck to you!!
Hi Deborah, thanks so much for taking the time to comment! It’s really nice to meet you and to hear from someone who knows exactly how I feel. Yay! Hope your second book doesn’t keep you waiting too long… must hop over to your blog and see what it’s all about. *waves*
Congratulations Nicky, well done! They look gorgeous x
Lindsay
Thanks, Lindsay. I probably sound like a pushy mum but I have to say it… again. They ARE gorgeous! (still not over the shock, it appears).xx
You look gorgeous with that book in your hands Nicky! Congrats!
It suits me, right? Hooray! Thanks so much for stopping by, AL! x
Congratulations my lovely. You deserve to be this happy about your book. It’s a fabulous book and will sell, sell, sell! They look absolutely GORGEOUS! You must be SOOOOOO excited to have had this today, I hope you had some champagne to celebrate this momentus occasion! Kim xxx
Kim, I love you. Your enthusiasm and excitement is totally palpable and it makes me so happy!! I do hope it will sell, sell, sell. It’s a bit like sending your little one off to school for the first time after all that prep and kitting out: will they survive? Will they thrive? God, I hope so! Anyhoo, am saving the champers for launch day (otherwise I might develop some kind of addiction, plus ideas above my station, LOL) XX
Oh my gosh, Nicky. I’m so excited for you! You must be on cloud nine right now. 😀
Absolutely! Floating away…. and totally over the moon. Thank for your fab comment, Carrie. Your turn soon!!!
FAB Nicky! So pleased for you! Great news! Many, many congratulations … and it looks wonderful! Well done you 🙂
Thanks so much, Polly, I’m really thrilled. Love that you could visit! xx
It looks amazing Nicky! Congratulations. You deserve to feel the pride you feel. Enjoy and I wish you every success!
Awww, thanks Rebecca, what a wonderful thing to say. That means a lot to me, thank you! And good luck with your revisions; I’ve just left you a comment to keep going, keep writing! XX Thanks for stopping by today. 🙂
Fantastic!!! :))
thanks!!!!
Congratulations Nicky! Fantastic photos taken by your lads – what a wonderful thing to share with their clever mum! The thrill of holding your book is worth capturing and remembering. Well done and every success for the future. Emma x
Awww, thanks Emma! Boys are pleased as punch going round telling everyone about their author mummy. I need a sign saying “I didn’t put them up to this” hahaha! Thanks for stopping by and for your thoughtful comments, I really appreciate it. XX
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! 🙂
Xx
Thanks so much!!!
OMG it looks amazing!!!! Congratulations, I am so happy for you and I know it’s going to do so well because it’s such a fab book 🙂 x
**blush** That, as they say in German, goes down like honey. Thank you, and thanks for stopping by and for your lovely lovely comment. **happy dance**
*Whoop* *whoop* Fab news! Love the pics!! Can’t wait to read it. Have to get one first. Where’s the pics of the champers? Enjoy! xx
Hehehe, that’s my girl! The champers is coming on launch day. It was tempting to break open a bottle but I’m in danger of creating habits here that I can’t sustain (or afford, hahaha). Come back for launch day and take part in the party… I’ve got some amazing plans for an all-day party piece! And yes, there’ll be champers. And more! Thanks for visiting, Lynne, I really love it. xx
Oh, yay! Massive, massive congrats, Nicky! 🙂 They’re lovely!
Thanks so much, Talli! I’m very much in love with them. (Still stroking away every five minutes….). Thank you for commenting! xx
Congrats Nicky! I can imagine your excitement. Just don’t stroke them too much, you’ll wear the ink off the covers! LOL!
Ha, Mel, that thought had occurred to me! I wear cotton gloves now… LOL: Just kidding. It appears to be fairly indestructible so it’s all good. Love your comment, thanks for visiting! xx
Awww . . . your book baby! I love it! So happy for you. Can’t wait to experience this moment for myself. I’m so glad you took pictures. This is definitely an occasion to mark! Congrats on seeing all your hard work come to fruition. Thanks for sharing it with us and may you have big sales!!!! (BTW, I already told my husband that when mine comes, I am sleeping with it. He thinks I’m joking . . . ) 😉
Hahaha, Lisa–I was tempted. I really was. I did put it under my pillow but then I felt bad about possibly crumpling it up, so it went on the bedside table instead. Thanks for visiting and for your lovely, lovely comment. Not so very long until it’s your turn… XXX
So very very pleased for you Nicky – enjoy every single moment, you so deserve it. ENJOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! XXXX
Thanks so much, Sarah!!!!
Congratulations. Enjoy the moment.
Thanks, Kristina. It’s a splendid moment indeed!
Yaaaayyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!! How EXCITING!!!!!
Wow, I heard that alll the way over here. Thank youuuuuuuuu!!! Don’t forget to come to the party next week Thursday. (OMG–Next Week Thursday!!) xx
Congrats honey! Love you!!
Loveya right back, Amy–thank you!!
Congratulations! What a wonderful moment, I’m so happy for you. Right, where do I get my copy? …
Joanne, loveya! You can get your copies from Amazon from next week Thursday (6 September). In ebook or paperback, whichever your prefer. Watch this space… I’ll be hosting a huge launch party here on Thursday–do you think you can make it? xx
huge congratulations to you! Look forward to reading it.
Thanks so much, Wendy, that totally makes my day! Thanks for your lovely comment. 🙂
How wonderful! A real dream come true moment… I’d be tempted to sleep with them under my pillow but that might not lead to a very good night’s sleep 🙂
I tried. Then I realised that I was crushing and crumpling it so I took it out hastily, smoothed it out and kept it on the bedside table. Aha, you think I’m joking… no, I joke not! Thanks so much for your comment, Vanessa… come back for the big party next Thursday? xx
What a great feeling! Well done, Nicky! Hope you don’t mind but I’ve tagged you on my blog for a Why? Why? Why? post: http://blog.katylittlelady.com/2012/08/why-why-why.html
Enjoy the rest of your celebrations! xx
Hehe, love it, thanks for thinking of me. I might just squeeze a ‘why’ meme in on Sunday: watch out…. XX Thanks for visiting, and don’t forget to come back next week Thursday……
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