That’s the funny thing about doing events and publicity for books – publication and all it entails: launches, radio interviews; writing columns; getting pics to go with the columns taken at odd times like 5pm (kids’ tea time in our house and always a zoo!), Sat morning just before you have to get the kids out to soccer; book events and book tours – it makes you realise how much you actually enjoy a normal writing day.

Some writers love the whole buzz of publication – but most don’t. Most – me included – would like maybe 2 or 3 days of it – just to mark the fact that a new book is actually out – and would then like to be allowed slink gracefully back behind our desks to write again.

But such is the life of a writer these days – you must do whatever you can to make your book sell so that a publisher will actually pay you to write another one. And if that includes telling journalists (who I must say are mostly lovely) what you had for breakfast, so be it.

But the most important thing is the writing – get that right first. Worry about all the rest of the hoopla later.

Here’s something I’ve learned over the last 15 years – if your book is really, really good, word of mouth is the most vital ingredient of all when it comes to book sales. You can have the best cover in the world, be on all the radio and telly shows, have bookmarks and posters coming out your ears, and if the book isn’t up to scratch no one will recommend it to their friends or family.

So heads down and write!

But I must say visiting 8 schools all over England and meeting some amazing girls and teachers was an experience I will never forget. More about that next week . . .

Have a fab weekend.

And remember – heads down, the writing’s the thing!

Sarah XXX

Phew! I’ve been having a fun time at the Children’s Book Festival. I kicked off my school visits last week with Arklow, Wicklow and Bray; Deansgrange, Stillorgan and Alexandra College in Rathgar.
All the visits were lovely, and a bit shout out to the girls in Hollypark and all the other schools. And thanks for all the emails you’ve been sending me, including the amazingly great poems and stories – it’s a pleasure to read them.
And a big thanks to the librarians, especially Noelle Ringwood, for all their hospitality.

I have just come back from Cavan where I visited Cootehill, Balieborough and Cavan libraries and met pupils from St Mary’s in Drung, (sorry I kept calling it Dung!), and The Dorley school in Cootehill.

5 Things I Love About the Children’s Book Festival

1/ Meeting great boys and girls from all over the country.
2/ Visiting some really fab libraries – and the lovely librarians who run them.
3/ Finding out about the students favourite books – from Jackie Wilson to Derek Landy and everything in between.
4/ Talking about some of my favourite books with the students and teachers – and believe me, I have a long, long list! (Wilderness is right up there, with Judy Blume and The Cat Mummy)
5/ Answering all the odd and bizarre questions that are thrown at me – from ‘What’s your favourite pet?’ to ‘Are you Cecelia Ahern’s sister?’