Freya North East
Posted on 01 April 2009 by Freya North
Well, let the countdown to publication commence - in 30 days time, my 10th novel, Secrets, will be on the shelves and even though I’m an old hand at this publishing milarky, I assure you I’m still all of a jitter! The anticipation of publication - and the thrill of seeing my book out there in the stores has not diminished one jot over the years. I’m so proud of Secrets - my editor told me she feels it has the ‘most satisfying and complete ending’ she’s read in a long while. I’ll be on tenterhooks to see if you agree! Certainly, while I was writing it, the last third of the book seemed magically to tell itself - somedays, I’d sit working in the library and it was as if the characters were dictating the tale directly to me. As you’ll know from my Advice section, I never plan my novels so it’s as exciting for me to see how they unfold as (I hope) it is for you when you read them.
In our gloomy times, I hope a little love and romance will go a long way for you, gentle reader. And I hope the bright jacket design will sing out. I’m SO into colour at the mo’ - colour was my starting point for the new-look covers (I’ll be letting you have a sneak preview of the re-designed ‘back-list’ very soon). One of my reference points was one of favourite ads, which I think is genius - the iPod Nano ad - that gorgeous ooze of colours with little mention needed for what the machines could actually do! Talking of colour, there are a couple of exciting promos for Secrets - including a sweet-as-you-like scarf if you buy the book at Sainsbury’s and ALL the copies have a discount voucher for gorgeous Ruby and Millie cosmetics as well as a chance to win a Ruby and Millie makeover and goody bags.
It’s been a busy time for me - last week I went off on a slight tangent, speaking at the Best of Britain show in London - my topic was ‘How Popular Culture Influences Tourism’ and I was able to witter on about how important to me location and a sense of place are. Which leads me on to sharing with you a new accolade about which I’m extremely excited and honoured - I’ve been made an official Ambassador for the North East. As you know, the North East really is my spiritual home - despite being born a posh southern totty! I can’t wait to see what the Regional Development Agency for the North East have in store for me. And I’m itching to journey North again from London in a fortnight. I’m doing an event in Whitby on 17th April, and another in York on 13th May. I’ll be posting up a more detailed schedule shortly.
Talking of authors who have a passion for specific locations, I’ll let you into a secret - I blagged my way into University…! At my interview, the professor asked what texts I was doing for my English A level. When I said ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ he asked what I liked about Hardy. For a horrible moment my mind went completely blank. Then I remembered an essay I’d recently written - the title was ‘Landscape is not merely a backdrop in the novels of Thomas Hardy, but a leading character in them. Discuss.’ So, I cleared my throat and gazed pensively out of the window. “Well,” I told the Prof whilst pulling a selection of faces which suggested I was formulating a well-considered answer, “what I find SO fascinating is how, in Hardy’s novels, landscape is not merely a backdrop - but a leading character.” He agreed wholeheartedly. And I won my place.
My new heroine, in Secrets, is called Tess…so there you go, a nicely rounded-off blog…
Tags | Advice, North Yorkshire, Secrets
April 1st, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Loved this book - picked it up at Luton airport on the way to France and couldn’t put it down (even missed a trip to a chateau!). Sister has now stolen from me
Can’t wait for the next one! Also loved the bio stuff at the back, was a great insight.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Ooh Sarah and Sister - I’m loving your response! And I’m so glad you liked the extra material at the back of the book. Research is a true perk of my job - and I wanted my readers to know that the settings for the book meant so much more to me than merely a useful backdrop! Fx
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
My parents just visited my brothers in Australia and remembered to pick up a copy of “Secrets” for me on the trip out. By the time they finally got back i was handed a “well loved”, dog eared copy! My mom, my sister-in-law and her mom had all read it first (record for fastest time was Ginny, 2 days)but i can’t blame them - it was great. I loved it, love the way you make us care about the characters right from the first page and keep us hooked until the last page. Wish i hadn’t read it so quickly now,but it was hard to put down!
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Just want to say how much I enjoy your books… and I’m a bloke (and straight). Pinched the first one off my wife years ago (Chloe - remains a favourite). Taking my daughter to violin lesson the other evening, I took Pillow Talk to read in the car while waiting. Embarrassed to say I stuffed it in my jacket before she could glimpse the genre! As you intimate in your latest blog, a welcome diversion in these miserable times. Nice observations of character, lovely turns of phrase, and I’m a sucker for happy endings. Good luck with Secrets.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:29 am
Nigel, thanks SO much for this. You’d be surprised just HOW many husbands/ boyfs/ fathers pilfer their wives’/girlfs’/ daughters’ copies! Secrets won’t disappoint you - and I look forward to your response! FN
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
Blimey - TWO DAYS! That’s good going as Secrets is my longest book yet. I’m just delighted, Victoria, that your family enjoyed the novel so much. And I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know. A satisfied reader (or family of readers) is the best seal-of-approval an author can hope for. FN
April 10th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I loved Secrets. I bought it in Gatwick airport and could not put it down. My husband was away on business last week and I was reading into the wee small hours. I am going to pass it onto my best friend now so she can be uplifted as much as I have…well done and looking forward to buying the rest of your books
April 28th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Rushing through Gatwick at the end of Easter I grabbed your new book knowing I would love it. (The colour and cover design caught my eye.) I’ve read all your others over the years except Pillow Talk. You can’t imagine my smile and my joy when I realized the story was set in Saltburn, a place close to my heart for many reasons. Although I no longer live in the north but in Gran Canaria (not the Maldives or the Seychelles but as close to a paradise island as you get!) I still have childhood friends there and am proud to say I come from Cleveland.
It was wonderful to read your story and indeed see the Saltburn I know and love through Tess’ eyes. I can’t wait to get back there this summer. How did you manage all those bridge analogies?!
Thank you for bringing my special little part of England all the way to the Canaries. Secrets has been a pleasure to read.
Selina
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Selina - so kind of you to let me know. I’m very happy to fly the flag for Cleveland for you…while you sun yourself in the Canaries!
Fx
November 27th, 2009 at 10:18 am
I managed to read the book in 3 days! I loved the book and I could not put the it down as it was so exciting! I looked forward to the evenings when I could sit down and read. Your books in the past have been great but this one was my favourite.
I loved the Tess, Em and Wolf relationship! I also enjoyed the extra info at the back of the book. Thanks for a great read!