That Heady Feeling - Hitting the Bestseller Charts

Good morning bookaholics. It's a bit dreich in Dundee today. For the non scots this means it's grey and miserable. However, I don't feel dreich at all. In fact I feel decidedly sunny and happy. Let me explain.

Yesterday I popped into Waterstones to pick up a book I had ordered for Freya. It was a good day in Dundee. The sun was shining and there was a cycle event happening so the city was busy. What happened in Waterstones changed it from a good day to a fabulous day. Firstly, the manager of Waterstones introduced me to local author Mark Leggatt. 

The manager, Kevin, then said, "Wendy is also a local author, of the book behind you." 

He pointed to the shelf and that is when my day exploded from good to glorious technicolour brilliance. Killer's Craft was at number 3 in the book charts. In fact is was just behind 'Go Set a Watchman' and 'The Girl on the Train.' I never in my wildest dreams imagined that would happen. It is the most wonderful feeling in the world. As a lifelong reader, and now a writer, this was indeed heady stuff.

I got chatting to Mark and then Crime Blogger, Lynsey Adams arrived. If you haven't read Lynsey's excellent There's Been a Murder blog, then check it out now. 

I am sure you will agree this was a superb day for me as an author. Forgive me my moment of excitement. I will be back to reviewing books next time. 

If you would like to check out both Killer's Craft and Killer's Countdown, you can do so through the images on the right or via the universal link below. This will take you to the Amazon of your country.

Amazon Universal Link

Or if you wan tot check out Mark's book Names of the Dead

I will see all of you bookaholics back here soon. Until then, keep reading. 

What Keeps a Writer Busy?

As many Bookaholic Readers will know I will soon be releasing the first book in the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries. These are exciting times for an author and let me tell you I am excited. The book Launch is in Waterstones Dundee on 17th November, so not long to wait now. 

I hadn't actually realised how much work there is whilst preparing for a book launch. My advice to all authors is start early. The time will go past more quickly than you can ever imagine or realise. Still, I am pleased to report that all is going well and I am on track for the launch. It sounds like it is going to be a great affair and I am really looking forward to it. By the looks of things it is going to be well attended and all my various friends, relatives and the local community are being supportive and are looking forward to the launch. 

I have to give a shout out to two young men who have gone above and beyond to help me in the process. Firstly, Nathan Gevers has built my author website. I am sure you will agree that he has done a fabulous job. Take a look and find out what he has done. Website

Joseph Wilson also deserves a mention. He is busy producing a video to go with the book and his ideas have blown me away. He is also writing, playing and producing the music to go with the video. Watch this space for an update the minute it is ready to go public. I can promise you it will be well worth the wait and anticipation.

Before the book launch I will be speaking at the Scottish Fellowship of Christian Writers Conference in Stirling. If you are a writer and live in Scotland it is well worth joining this organisation. At the conference I will be talking about Blogging for Writers, and will also be running a blogging workshop. I am very much looking forward to this. 

I will be posting about both the conference and the book launch in future blogs. 

As well as all the above, I am also furiously writing to try and finish the first draft book number two in the DI Shona McKenzie series. I am having a great time writing it but there are parts which send shivers down my spine. Never fear, Shona is on the case. 

So as you an see I have been very busy. Reading has taken a little bit of a back seat, but I will be back on it this weekend. I have the first in David Hewson's The Killing trilogy ready and waiting for my attention. See you all soon my Bookaholic friends. Until then keep reading and writing.