Newsletter - Winter 2005
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Hi Everyone, I can’t believe
it’s almost Christmas already! Yikes. I’ve been
hibernating, being a boring old sod, and writing away.
I’m now almost finished the new baby, ‘When the
Boys are Away’ (which my editor, the lovely Imogen
will be delighted to hear - sorry for the delay, Imogen!
I’m working really hard, honestly.) More about that
in a minute.
But first for some news -
What’s New on the Site?
Take a Chance Book Launch
Sarah at the launch of Take a Chance
Claudia Carroll and Nicky Cullen at the launch of Take a
Chance
Here are some photos from the launch of Take a Chance,
held in the yacht club in Dun Laoghaire and launched by
the lovely actress and writer, Claudia Carroll. I’m
the one in the blonde wig and the rather frightening
‘Agnetha’ costume - Take a Chance is about an
Abba tribute band. Claudia, who kindly launched the book
for me is the natural blonde in the rather delicious red
dress.
It was a great night and thanks to all who attended,
especially those who travelled to be there.
Brand New Author Interview
with Marisa Mackle
Marisa bears her writing soul for your entertainment
in the Tips for Writers section. Do
read the interview, Marisa is a most inspiring woman and
her answers are very frank and informative.
My favourite children’s books of
2005
And I’ve added my favourite children’s books
of 2005, including a hot potential award winning tip for
2006. Intrigued, well have a look at The Best Children’s Books in the
World.
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What’s New In Chez Webb?
I’d love to tell you all about the fabulous places
I’ve visited and all the amazing experiences I’ve had
but the truth is I haven’t left Dun Laoghaire, let alone
Dublin for months! I nearly cried reading Marian’s
Keyes’ web diary recently as she leads such an interesting
life. www.mariankeyes.com
I’d highly recommend it if you like a good giggle. But then
I thought about it - and I realised that I don’t actually
like travelling very much.
So for all those people out there who like me rarely leave
Ireland I give you -
Sarah’s 10 Good Reasons to Stay at Home
Airports - boring, hot and there’s
never anything decent to eat
Aeroplanes - ditto!
Food on aeroplanes - plastic would be a
nice way to put it
Public transport in other countries -
sometimes scary, often packed
Taxis in other countries - ditto on the
first comment above
Foreign food - no, actually I’m
joking - I like most of it!
Foreign bookshops - I just can’t
keep out of them - busman’s holiday
Sun burn - I have horrible skin that just
doesn’t tan
Spending all that money and the guilt
afterwards
There are no other reasons - aggh, who am
I kidding? I need a holiday!
Writing and New Books
Take a Chance is out in paperback in the spring in the
UK and Ireland with a zippy new cover.
It Had to Be You is coming out with a new
title, Happily Ever After in the US in the spring.
And my new book, When the Boys are Away is
coming out in the Autumn in Ireland and 2007 in the UK. It’s
about a girl called Meg, it involves sailing, mad sisters and a
secret or two and I’ll tell you more about it soon, I
promise!
Open Door Series
I was delighted to be asked (by the lovely
Patricia Scanlon, the editor) to write a book for this series for
adult beginner readers as it’s such a worthwhile enterprise.
My book is called Behind Closed Doors and will be
published in the spring along with books by Cecelia Ahern and
John Connolly.
It’s about a baby shower and two
particularly nasty women who get their comeuppance. Do watch out
for it!
Great Reads
As always, I’ve been reading far too many
books and not working half hard enough. It’s my one big
failing - reading! I really couldn’t live without my books;
if I don’t have something good to read, I go mad.
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I adored The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by
John Boyne because it’s brave, original, upsetting,
moving and uplifting all at the same time. I used to work
with John in Waterstone’s and he’s a lovely
guy. I hope the book does really well for him, it
deserves to. Read it if you dare! |
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Jane Green’s Life Swap is also well worth
reading. It’s clever, witty and thought provoking. A
single girl about town London journalist decides to swap
lives with a married American ‘Desperate
Housewives’ type with toe curling results. A great
concept and Green pulls it off with aplomb. Sometimes
concept books can promise more than they deliver, but not
this one. |
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On the romantic comedy front I’ve also recently
enjoyed Claudia Carroll’s latest, The Last of the
Great Romantics, Anita Notaro’s very funny The
WWW Club, Marian Keyes’ Further Under the
Duvet and I’ll be getting stuck into Melissa
Hill’s new one next. |
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I’m also reading a Katie Fforde - if you
haven’t tried her yet, please do. She’s
heavenly and writes with such warmth. Like an English
Cathy Kelly. |
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I also enjoyed Deirdre Madden’s Authenticity,
read for a book club meeting I was asked to talk at.
It’s thought provoking, an interesting look at
relationships and leading an artistic life. |
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I also recently discovered a writer called Stephanie
Lehmann. Her book Are You in the Mood? is a wry
look at motherhood in all it’s ‘glory’
through the eyes of a mostly out of work actress. Very
American, very funny. If you like Tina Reilly,
you’ll like Stephanie. Must order another one from
www.Amazon.com - she’s not available here or in the
UK yet. |
A Confession - Why I Used to Dread New
Year’s
I used to hate New Year’s Eve! This makes me
sound like some sort of killjoy Scrooge, but I’ve had so
many bad New Year’s experiences in the past it makes my toes
curl just thinking about them.
I’m surely not the only single girl who used
to lock herself in the toilets five minutes before midnight,
ashamed to have no-one to kiss? And to be honest, scared that
some great big gorilla would take it as an opportunity to grab me
for a quick snog. Yuck! I spent a memorable midnight in a toilet
cubicle in the salubrious surroundings of the Royal Irish Yacht
Club no less. Frankly their toilets aren’t that great, but
it was peaceful listening to the crowds shouting and screaming
upstairs.
Coming out of my sanctuary at a few minutes past
twelve I realised I wasn’t alone. A woman in her early
twenties I didn’t recognise was sitting on the counter
beside the sink pulling heavily on a cigarette.
‘New Year’s,’ she said as I gave
her an awkward smile. ‘Don’t you just hate it?’
New Year’s is a certainly a difficult time
if you’re single, far worse than Valentine’s Day if you
ask me. ‘What are you doing for New Year’s?’ The
dreaded question starts as early as October or November. I used
to hope and pray that I’d meet someone decent over Christmas
at the frazzled round of drinks parties and work dos, so that
I’d have someone to spend New Year’s with. Sad really.
Six years ago I was lucky enough to meet my
lovely boyfriend, Ben and I’m pleased to say I’m not
scared of New Year’s any more. He took a big chance hitching
his wagon to someone like me who’s ditzy at the best of
times. He likes to say I have an ‘artistic
temperament’. Moody cow my family call me. But I’m nice
sometimes, honestly!
So to all those single girls out there - hang on,
hopefully your own Prince is just around the corner. And watch
out for those gorillas on New Year’s Eve. Make a pact with a
fellow single friend instead to have a friendly hug and kiss as
the clock strikes twelve. Don’t be a saddo like me and hide
in the loo! Life’s way too short.
Happy New Year! All the best for 2006!
Best,
Sarah XXX
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