Newsletter - Spring 2006
Hi Everyone,
April is an exciting month for me as my new baby is due. The
official date is Easter Saturday but as I’ve gone over with
both Sam (11) and Amy (3), I’m not holding my breath.
Here’s a recent photo – bursting out of my clothes!
I’m hoping to have this one at home. (I say
‘hope’ as never can tell how things are going to go,
can you?) I hope to use a birthing pool in labour which is
already blown up and ready to use – it’s currently
sitting in my study behind me as I’m writing this! It’s
big and blue and Amy likes to climb into it and play. It makes
her hair go all static and she looks like a baby Einstein!
Don’t worry, there’s a special liner to make it
hygienic at birthing time.
I had Amy in a birthing pool (a different one) and I found it
an amazing experience. I’ve always hopped in the bath for
aches and pains as there’s nothing like hot water to soothe
the body and the soul. Yes, Amy’s birth was painful,
there’s no denying it, but I was able to cope and after the
birth felt very well. I won’t go into the gories but the
water helps a lot in various ways. You feel cocooned by the
water, in your own little world, and it’s much easier to
move around and be mobile.
I’ll let you all know when the baby arrives!
What’s New on the Site?
The Take a Chance Competition
Thanks to everyone who entered the competition to win a signed
copy of the new paperback, Take a Chance. It got a
terrific response and thanks to everyone who sent me a message
with the entry – it’s always lovely to hear from
readers, especially far flung ones.
The winners have been contacted by email. Thanks so much for
entering. There will be another competition to launch When the
Boys are Away.
What’s New In Chez Webb?
Not much to be honest! Haven’t managed to leave Dublin
recently!! I’ve been attacking the garden a bit too
fervently at times and I think I’ve over pruned so it looks
rather bare at the moment. I blame the pregnancy hormones. Have
you ever done this? I hope it all grows back and I haven’t
killed anything. I do love my garden but I’m an absolute
beginner. But I guess you only learn by making mistakes,
don’t you? (Please say yes!)
And oh, yes. Amy turned 3. My little one isn’t little any
more. Here’s a photo of her in all her glory at her birthday
party. She had a howl of a birthday, unfortunately literally at
times – horribly overexcited from all the presents and cake.
Being 3 isn’t easy – all that pressure!
Writing and New Books
My new book, When the Boys are Away was due in the
Autumn in Ireland and in 2007 in the UK. But the publication date
has been delayed due to the new baby, to give me a bit of time
out and breathing space. So it’s now coming out in Feb/March
2007 in Ireland and in the UK and Ireland in paperback in Autumn
2007. Sorry for the delay, but mummy duties call!
It’s about a girl called Meg, it involves sailing, mad
sisters and a secret or two. My favourite character is Hattie,
Meg’s sister. She’s the kind of woman who says exactly
what’s on her mind, no matter what the consequences.
She’s also a bit of a man eater and is sex obsessed. She was
great fun to write!
Here’s an early blurb to whet your appetite –
Meg happily returns to Dublin after
three years trailing her boyfriend, Simon from sailing event
to sailing event around the globe with their toddler, Lily,
and Dan, her eleven-year-old son from a previous relationship
in tow. She quickly realises that all her friends have moved
on and now she only has her kooky family, including her
sex-obsessed sister, Hattie, and Dan’s flaky but
dangerously gorgeous father, Sid, to rely on for help and
support.
Her new neighbour, Tina is in the
same boat. Tina’s a work widow - her banker husband,
Oliver, works in London from Monday to Friday, leaving Tina
with only her two young sons for company during the week. And
now Meg.
Meg starts to worry - without
Simon’s job to define her, she doesn’t know who she
is anymore. Her house is falling down around her ears, she
can’t find work to pay the builder’s bills and
she’s arguing with her mother, again. Can’t she get
anything right?
But just when she finds a new job
and starts to get back on her feet, Simon throws her another
curve ball. And Meg finds that having a man around all the
time isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And that
sometimes living apart is easier than living together.
And when life starts to get even
more stormy, Meg has to learn to sink or swim. But sometimes
a life-line can come from the most unexpected places.
A warm, funny, life affirming read
for anyone who has ever lost her way.
Poolbeg 30
To celebrate 30 years of Poolbeg, Paul Campbell, the publisher
asked myself and many other current and ex Poolbeg authors from
Tina Reilly to Marian Keyes to donate a story for a special short
story collection to be published in aid of Women’s Aid. As
it’s a very worthy cause, and Poolbeg gave me my first
break, I was happy to oblige.
My story is called ‘Bumps’ and is about two women,
Heather and Kitty, with very different lives who meet in a
pregnancy clothes shop. The book will be published in October. No
title as yet. I suggested Flirty Thirty!
My Agent
My wonderful agent, Ali Gunn has just set up her own agency,
Gunn Media and I wish her all the very best with her new venture.
I know it will be hugely successful and she deserves it as she
works so hard and has such a passion for books. I’m now
proud to be represented by Gunn Media. Sounds fab, doesn’t
it? Gunn Media.
Great Reads
Book of the Season
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The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by
Eva Rice I picked this book up despite its
‘Richard and Judy’ recommendation. I know
it’s contrary, but when a book is hyped to the gills
it kind of puts me off. But I’m so glad I overcame
my prejudices. It’s a lovely read – warm and
gentle, with quirky characters. Set in the 1950’s in
England, it chronicles a more innocent, less rushed time.
Do read it – I can highly recommend it. I
haven’t finished it yet – thank goodness –
I hate coming to the end of a book I’m enjoying. But
it’s brilliant!
8 ½ out of 10
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In the last few months I’ve also read – Tell Me
Your Secret by Deirdre Purcell – another great read.
Incidentally Deirdre has a biography coming out in the autumn
called Diamonds and Holes in My Shoes and I can’t
wait to read it. She’s had a fascinating and most unusual
life.
I also enjoyed Divided Loyalties by Patricia Scanlon, Breakfast
at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote and several excellent
children’s books including the new detective novel by Eoin
Colfer which is coming out in June.
 
A Confession –
In the last newsletter I talked about my dread of New
Year’s Eve. What can I confess to this month? My fear of
turning into my mum? (Too late I’m told. Not that this is a
bad thing in case Mum is reading!) My fear of having a
jelly-brain after having the baby? I do tend to go a bit ga-ga
for months but I’m sure it’s perfectly normal. At least
I hope it is.
Maybe I shouldn’t confess anything at all! I’ll
leave it for when I don’t have so many hormones racing
around my system – probably safer that way!
So until next time – the autumn newsletter – keep
well and happy reading. I’ll post the baby news on my home
page so look out for that.
Best,
Sarah XXX
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