Friday 6 May 2011

The Morning After the Night Before

Well, I finally slept off the (virtual) Champagne, punch, and excessive excitement of yesterday’s cyber launch party. What an incredible day, and I have all you lovely people to thank for making it such a wonderful success. I am truly overwhelmed by the support, encouragement and good wishes I received: here on the blog, on Facebook and through personal emails. I just received this gorgeous little flower card from a lovely friend, Lorna, to wish me good luck with the book. I love it so much, I'm putting it on my reading and writing blog too as it goes well with today's post there!


Thank you to every person who bought my book, or intends to, either on e-book or in print. But even if you have no intention of buying or reading it, I thank you for your interest and support. I shall always remember my first venture into full length fiction. To make the day complete, my local newspaper ran a feature about me and it was in last night’s edition! My lovely journalist friend, Sara, did a piece on me in the Dumfries & Galloway Standard today (and is contacting another of my more local papers). I feel a little like royalty for this week, though it’s a shame I look nothing like William’s Kate!

A few friends couldn't manage to leave a comment on the blog, through no fault of their own but did on the facebook page – perhaps it sometimes couldn’t cope with the number trying at the one time! So, in the spirit of fairness, their names were entered into the draw along with everyone who commented here, and I’ve included their answers in the fun questions.

And so to the Results! I’ll give the run down of the Jane Austen Character quiz and the Heroes first, but not with the names of those choosing them – you all know who you are! 

Jane Austen Characters

Elinor Dashwood  (12)
Elizabeth Bennet   (4)
Catherine Morland   (1)
Anne Elliot   (1)
Emma Woodhouse   (1)
Fanny Price  (1)

Wonder if it’s because many of us are writers that we seem to belong to the Elinor Dashwood Club! Interesting that no one is Marianne Dashwood - we perhaps have hidden depths.

Heroes

Rett Butler   (4)
Mr Darcy    (4 )
Heathcliffe   (2)
Atticus Finch   (2)
Mr Knightly   (2)
John Thornton   (1)
(Richard Armitage!)    
Hitman   (1)
Gandalf  (1)
Hamish McBeth  (1)
(Robert Carlyle)
Aragorn  (1)
(Viggo Mortensen)
Capt Jack Sparrow   (1)
(Johnny Depp!)
Sydney Carton  (1)
Steven Seagal   (1)
(heroic with ONE expression!)
The Quiet Man  (1)
Mr Rochester    (1)
Own Husband   (2)
(and one of above!)

That was fun. Some surprises too. If you don’t know who any of them are, look them up. One or two were from men with a sense of humour. Another humorous friend who couldn't leave a message here said 'a man who did all the cleaning and paid the bills so she could write'!

And now, randomly chosen by my husband from a bowl containing all my guests’ names. 

The Voucher Awards

£10 Amazon voucher to:   Elizabeth McKay

$10 Amazon voucher to:   Linda Kage

Well done! I’m so pleased that one is for a home-grown guest, and one from a transatlantic friend, especially when the names were all mixed up together.

I'll contact you shortly, Elizabeth and Linda, and will get the vouchers emailed on their way sometime today.

Again – many, many thanks to all who participated in any way to make my day so special.

Love to all,
Romy

Available now from Champagne Books and Amazon (UK) and Amazon (US)

22 comments:

Elizabeth McKay said...

What a lovely surprise, Rosemary. Thank you so much. There's nothing I like better than buying browsing in a bookshop, before finally making the big decision about what to buy. Thanks too, to your husband for making the choice - I might have to relegate Atticus to second place!

Thanks for the party - hope we didn't leave too much mess or annoy the neighbours!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

You're very welcome! Can you let me know that you receive it okay, please. Neighbours seem to be completly unaware that anything was going on!

Elizabeth McKay said...

Hi Rosemary. I've just received the voucher, thank you, so that's my afternoon sorted!

Linda Kage said...

I have my voucher too. Wow! Thank you so much. This is quite the honor.

Congratulations on all your success. Here's looking to many happy sales!

I can't believe I was the only Catherine Morland-like character. I wonder what that means.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Hi Linda - you too are very welcome!

Glad you both received your vouchers - enjoy!

L. K. Below/Lindsay Below said...

I missed the party :( Sorry, Rosemary. I meant to attend but forgot. Congrats on your new release. I hope you're living it up! ;)

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Hi Lindsay - no worries! Thanks for visiting. I had a brilliant time all day and evening yesterday (you'll get a flavour of the fun from the previous post!). I am so enjoying all the excitement:)

Jenny Harper said...

So sorry I missed the launch Rosemary - small matter of an election and sleep deprivation! Glad it went well and looking forward to reading the book.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Hi Jenny - thanks for leaving a comment. Don't worry about it - I know you were up to your eyes in politics! It's good of you to care. The virtual launch went really and I was suprised how much fun it was. Hope Thursday went well for you.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

So sorry I couldn't make your cyber launch, but I love those lists and am especially pleased to see Mr Armitage on the Heroes one.

Congratulations to the winners and the very best of luck with your book, I can't wait to read it.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks for leaving a comment, Debs, and for your good wishes. It's been a rollercoaster, but strangely I don't want it to stop!

Talli Roland said...

I missed the launch! So sorry! I'm glad you had a great time - looks like it all went well.

Hywela Lyn said...

Hi Rosemary

Belated congratulations on your book launch, so sorry I didn't make it - clean lost track of the date, time goes so quickly.

So glad to see too of my favourites in the list - Richard Armitage AND Vigo Mortensen, yum!

Wishing you many, many sales!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Hi Talli - thanks for commenting. It was really good fun!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Hi Hywela - don't worry, everyone has so many things to remember these days (not least in cyber space!). Thanks for commenting and for your good wishes. Glad two of the heroes matched up!

Bluestocking Mum said...

You know I'm also sending you all my best wishes too, despite being late for the launch.

You will no doubt keep us posted on progress. Until then, warm wishes
xx

Diana said...

Congrats!! so exciting!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks a lot, Debbie!

Thank you, Diana!

Really appreciate the support from both of you.

Diane Fordham said...

I am really pleased all went well for you Rosemary. Your excitement is catchy and a true example of why all the effort, persistence and determination to pursue our craft of writing is worth it. Good on you Rosemary x

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Diane. It's worth the perseverence, isn't it!

suzy doodling said...

Hi Rosemary,
Good luck with the book. Will be ordering shortly.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks a lot, Suzy - and thank you for wanting the book!