It was a gloriously, sunny day in London yesterday. And yet, with all of the delights of the capital on offer, some people still decided to come and see me and a bunch of YA authors do at panel at Blackwell’s Bookshop on Charing Cross Rd. A good thing too. As we would have looked a little foolish sat in the shops by ourselves.

But what I mean to say is thank you, to all of you who came and made my very first panel and reading as an author so amazing. Especially when you could have been sitting in a park somewhere sipping Pimms. (Seriously, were you mad?)

Me reading the prologue from Shift. Thankfully, it was very short. 

Thanks also to the amazingly talented, intelligent and kind authors – Tom Pollock, Laure Eve, James Dawson, Will Hill and Tanya Byrne – with whom I was lucky enough to be sharing the panel and signing. And much respect to Liz De Jager, another incredibly talented, intelligent and kind author, who moderated the proceedings with a firm but gentle hand. I often found myself forgetting I was at the front of the room as I was so rapt in listening to everyone else read and talk about their experiences as writers.

Yesterday wasn’t just my first author panel. It was also the first time I got to see printed copies of Shift. In a book shop. On a 3 for 2 desk of all things. It’s always been my dream to be on a 3 for 2 desk. And when I saw the books there everything went a little blurry for a bit.

The dream coming true.

I also signed my first ever books. People I’d never met before actually bought copies of Shift and asked me to sign them. That’s still sinking in. (Apologies for the shocking handwriting; my hands were shaking).

To say it was an exciting day is a bit of an understatement. In fact, I think I’ve run out of whatever chemical controls excitement in the brain (adrenalin? endorphin?) as I’m just feeling vaguely baffled. Like, did that actually all just happen?

There are so many benchmarks along the way in being a writer. Completing your first draft. Querying for the first time. Getting an agent. Getting a deal. But I reckon, seeing your book on sale in an actual bookshop, being bought by actual people, might come close to beating them all.

Me signing one of my first books. 

A blurry pic of Tom, Will and Tanya signing copies of their books. “Once they’re signed, they can’t be given back!”