I KNOW it’s been a long time since I updated my blog and I apologize profusely.  I’m going to make it up to you with a lengthy post in the journal section.  And when I’m feeling particularly brave, I will try and upload some of the videos I’ve been taking over the last few months.
Anyway, welcome back to all of you - it’s nice to chat after a prolonged silence.
I am extremely excited and honoured to tell you that the magical, awesome Beth Tweddle - Great Britain’s recently crowned World Champion gymnast - is currently reading Secrets.  Not just in her spare time, mind.  She was reading it in the preparation room just before she took to the floor to win a couple of weeks ago.  She recommends reading as a way to focus and prepare and to block out the sound of the crowd.  I am thrilled, flattered and humbled, Beth, and I know that all my readers will want to congratulate and thank you for your fantastic achievement (all the more awesome when you consider she is just a month off an op on her ankle).  We are very proud of you!  Roll on 2012, Ms Tweddle.

666!
nope, not the devil in me… but a very very lucky number for us.
Secrets was published 6 weeks ago
Secrets has spent 6 weeks in the national Top 10
Secrets is number 6 in this week’s chart!

I’m just back from a week in Spain - and top of my to-do list is to update you with all my news, photos and videos…

In the meantime, follow this link…  It’ll take you to my first short story written for radio, which BBC Radio 4 commissioned.  Many of you will know that I famously HATE writing short stories - give me 140,000 words to play with, any day!
For ‘Fish And Chips‘, I was allowed 2,000 words…and I was told “No sex and no swearing, Ms North”
Listen and enjoy…and please let me know what you think!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ktbf2/Afternoon_Reading_More_Love_in_the_Afternoon_Fish_and_Chips/

stop press!
You’ve done it again, you lot!
Your support and enthusiasm has seen Secrets climb the Top Ten to a fabulous no.5 this week - just 40 copies off the no.4 spot!  Thank you so very much.
I’m just back from a jam-packed but fun and fantastic trip to promote the book - and I’ll be blogging AT LENGTH in the next day or so.  For the time being, sending you my gratitude, I wish you all a great weekend.  Freya x

Thank you Thank you Thank you!
I’m delighted (over-excited) to be able to tell you that… after only 3 days sales, Secrets has gone straight into the national Top 10!
I’m absolutely cockahoop and want to thank you, one and all, for your incredible support….
That’s all for now - I need to run around the garden like a mad thing… x

Well, what better way to spend a glorious sunny Tuesday…than down the local bus depot!
In London, Secrets is being advertised on the sides of 150 double deckers all over the network!  I thought it would a giggle - and a bit of a thrill - to put up one of these impressive ads.  They’re HUGE!
First, you have to stick the visual on a board - and it’s a massive sheet of sticky back plastic!
.

Here I am at the CBS warehouse in Walthamstow with the lovely John Steer and his team

Next it was off to the Arriva bus company’s London North depot, at Enfield, with the wonderful Mick who kept the ladder steady and told me what to do!

off with Nokia! Up with Freya!

There are 150 buses across the London network, emblazoned with Secrets!  If you see one - give it a big wave… and let me know!

A hearty thank you to all the great guys at CBS, to everyone at the Arriva depot - and especially to the fab CBS girls - l-r: Catherine, Michelle and Stephanie.

You made my day - you really did!