Lovin' Me Lovin' You - the Giveaway Issue

**GIVEAWAY QUESTIONS BELOW**

As countdown to publication marches on I find myself in a frenzy of book promotion, worrying that my scribblings will never be enough to send this baby into the fray. On Wednesday I wrote a piece about Women's Commercial Lit: Does the Object of Desire Always Have to Be a Hot Twenty-Something? Fun, silly, but ultimately I believe that the discerning 40+ year old seeks an epiphany that goes beyond a tasty tryst. No? Then yesterday (in my uggs sitting outside on a wet bench) I did my first phone interview, blabbing and blabbing (sorry Lee) about the poverty of women's self-image in this country, where women often feel too insecure to age with grace. Hence a batch of 40-year-old Barbies at the school gates whose Gucci bags are as taut and tanned as their faces.

I also learned that my aunt is concerned my mother will not like the semi-hard sex scenes. And I learned that my mother can't wait to get her hands the book! I heard from a friend who was reading hers at the hairdresser's (thanks Downith) and another in Germany who has had hers snatched by a friend. I was even accosted by the optometrist during my daughter's appointment yesterday, an aspiring writer who studies English religiously, who refused a gift copy and preferred to pay this messy-looking writer with bright red lipstick. Even the lady at the local post office - bless her and her calender of Maori rugby players, always a such pleasure to the eyes - has demanded I bring a copy for her to buy next time I am in there sending off a blogger review copies!

My goodness - my first sales! These are all fairly localised and in fact I wrote a more telling article last week about book promotion while your target market is in another neck of the woods. Details will follow about this rash of activity. Already we are told that many many valid authors are having trouble selling their manuscripts. That accomplished, we must clear the hurdle of distance with hours and hours online. It helps - yes - and as generous Trashionista editor Elle Symonds says, it's 'well worthwhile', but holymoly I feel as though I am glued to the screen and I don't know how but Ivana-the-lovely-optometrist says that these eyes are still hot to trot!

I wanted to post my first chapter but now that seems rather long after my rave, so I will do another post early next week. **I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT I AM HAVING MY FIRST GIVEAWAY AND INVITE YOU TO TAKE PART**. I will select two winners from wherever you hail on our fair and chastised globe. Here are the questions:

1. My biggest gripe with Italian men is that they:

A. are attached to their mothers
B. leave wet towels on the floor
C. spend too much time in front of the mirror
D. wear white jeans

2. The reason I adore Italian men is because they

A. know how to treat a lady
B. are great in bed
C. ski hard
D. take you to divine restaurants

If you've read my blog before you won't have any trouble with these flimsy questions. If you're new to this zone then just take an educated guess and add your email address to your answer/comment. The two winners will be chosen by my half-Italian Dubstep DJ son Omar, who STILL has to learn how to open a prosecco bottle before coming to the book launch in London.


PS MANY ENORMOUS THANK YOUS - MILLE GRAZIE - TO OUR MODEL PAOLA WHO SEEMED VERY PLEASED WITH THE DLC COVER SHOT AND KNOWS HOW TO THROW BACK QUALITY PROSECCO!