For any writer, the early stage of promoting their hot-off-the-press novel is a heart-in-the mouth period of purgatory. And that’s exactly how I’m feeling right now, as INFINITE STRANGER prepares to be released to the public on June 19th. Yep, I’m in purgatory. Will readers like it, won’t they? Will you like it, won’t you? Will I get awesome reviews, won’t I? And OMG … June 19th is next Monday!
Talking of awesome reviews, do you mind if I show off just a wee bit? You don’t mind? Okay, thanks, glad you allowed me that little indulgence. So, have a look at this pre-publication review from the bestselling author, Louise Douglas, who agreed to read an advance copy of my novel.
“INFINITE STRANGER is a beautiful, complex, tender story about a mother and a daughter, about love, living and the choices we have to make when it comes to matters of the heart. Wendy is a wonderful writer. I’ve never read a book quite like this before; its emotional honesty and intelligence shines through. I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy an immersive read. It’s a fascinating, moving, heart-breaking and ultimately uplifting story, based on real life events. Louise Douglas.”
Maybe the fact that this book is so closely based on real life events is what gives it the ’emotional honesty’ that Douglas says shines through. The factual characters of Molly Williams and Peter Fox are no longer in the land of the living, alas, so unfortunately they can’t see themselves as co-stars in my book (or perhaps not so unfortunately …) but most other characters are still alive and kicking, including Leah and Matthew. However, I’d better not say any more about Matthew … he might be listening. Hmm. I wonder if that drop-dead-gorgeous policeman who rescued me from those muggers in Birmingham on my first day of being a music student, and subsequently dated me, is also listening? And the double-bassist who loved his bass more than me? Ah, you see, that’s the trouble of dating or befriending a writer. Just when you think you’ve reached a comfortable time in your life when things are calming down, lo and behold, you find yourself in a novel, for Christ’s sake!
But I digress.
Almost all the settings in this novel are also a hundred percent real – the stunning hills and valleys of North Yorkshire, the wide, tidal beaches of West Lancashire, and the urban metropolis of Birmingham, with its centrally located College of Music where my protagonist studied classical piano, as I myself did. Another pre-publication reader of my novel commented in her Goodreads review that she’d very much love to visit this beautiful Benedictine monastery in the wilds of North Yorkshire, and was fascinated by the inside-world of a music conservatoire – something not many people get to experience.
Anyway, that’s all for now! Doggie needs a walk, and, no matter how dedicated a writer I am, doggie’s needs must come first.
If any of you feel inspired to read my novel, you can pre-order it on the link below. Or if you prefer paperbacks, you can wait until June 19th. If you do read it, I hope you enjoy it and I would love to hear from you!
Wendy Skorupski 