–for Peter and Amanda Carpenter
Yesterday a miraculous thing happened. I took delivery of a box containing copies of my new book. I went to the collecting office and walked home with its bulk against my tummy, somewhere between parcel and baby.
When I got in I placed it on the kitchen table and cut through the sticking tape, channelling my inner surgeon. A flap, and then another. Another box lay within. More scapel-work. Some inflatable plastic wadding.
And there they were, two piles of books, equal in height, dark against the dun of the cardboard container. I pulled one out and felt moisture forming at the back of my eyes. Flicking through, I noticed that the book contained my words and that they looked as I had intended, planned for them to look, all those days ago. Better than that, they looked sharper, tidier, more organised that I remembered them looking. The words were mine but appeared fully-grown, as though by somebody else, somebody who really knows what they are doing. I pulled out another, to make sure it contained the same.
The person who really does know what they are doing is Peter Carpenter, my editor and publisher at Worple Press. He has held my hand all the way through the process of making The Afterlife come in to the world, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart. He knows when to ask for more work, and when to stop. He knows what to cut, and what to let through. What to take a risk on, and what to politely decline. This is my book all right, absolutely, but it would not exist without the kindness, skill, patience, gentleness, guidance, tact and vision of Peter. He is the best. I am so lucky to have him.
The book is not on sale yet, but will be from the start of September. If you would like a copy I would love to hear from you. There is no rush. Before we get into that I have some festival readings to do. There is time. For now it is important to say thank you, and delight in this amazing little thing being suddenly with its own life in the world.
Congratulations, Anthony. I look forward to reading it. Put me down for a copy.
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Thank you so much Mark. Will do.
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Congratulations! I would be very happy if you would put me down for a copy. Thanks, Elizabeth Spradbery
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Thank you Elizabeth. Will do!
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Congratulations! I would love to buy a copy.
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Thank you so much Cindy. Will do!
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Great news! Please put me down for a copy.
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Thank you so much Mary. Will do!
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What a kind and generous thing to write. Will treasure it. Along with the collection. X
Will get it up on our website before end of month.
Peter Carpenter
>
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Xx
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Put me down for one please Ant! Olwen x
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Absolutely x
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Put me down for one please Ant! Love, Olwen x
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Absolutely!
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Many congratulations x
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Thank you so much Rose. Good wishes to you too.
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Congratulations, a proud moment indeed!
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Thank you Marina. Good wishes as ever, Anthony
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Well done!
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Thank you Tio!
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Congratulations well done, achievement 👍🏽🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆💕💕💕💕💕👩🏻🎓
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Thank you!
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Wonderful! I am overjoyed for you. Congratulations.
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Thank you for saying so
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It is a lovely feeling opening the parcel. Good to know you have them. Will be wanting a copy.
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Thank for saying so
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Congratulations Anthony. Please put me down for a copy. I will email address etc.
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Absolutely Madeleine
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Put one aside for me please, Anthony
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Absolutely Marcus
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Congratulations! What a feeling to open the box and holding your book in hand. Happy for you, and us, your readers.
Will it be available on Kindle too?
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Thank you so much Ann. Not on Kindle that I know of, sorry!
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Huge congratulations to you Anthony!!! Very excited for you and can’t wait to read it ⭐️
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Thank you for saying so!
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