More copies of Life is But a Dream

The problems with the binding on my book have meant that stocks of perfect copies have been low. However I have heard today, that all being well, I should have some more copies available before Christmas. What a relief! And I will have the remaining copies by the middle of January.

I have been receiving emails and verbal feedback about my book on a daily basis since it was launched. I have been thrilled with the comments people have made- it seems it has struck a chord with many people reading it. some have said that I have been able to make a potentially difficult subject accessible; that the description of the effects of bereavement on different generations are captured well; that it has messages for anyone bereaved, not just those who have lost a child.

If anyone wants to send me more feedback, or has comments or wants to ask me a question please do get in touch.

I am amassing a list of ideas for promotion and marketing in the New YeAr, which feels very exciting.

Book Launch

The book launch event on 24th November went fantastically well.  The Oasis Centre began to fill up well in advance of the start time of 6 pm, and there was a buzz in the building as more than 50 people began to congregate.  I was feeling slightly apprehensive, and the nerves began to build as the time for the interview approached.  I was lucky that Heather (who had helped me with a lot of the editing) was around to steady my nerves!  Just one of the other wonderful things about the evening was that Helen (who lives and works in Argentina most of the year) was over in the UK and managed to get up to Boston Spa for the evening - Helen helped with some of the initial editing and gave some very helpful advice from her past experience as an editor.

The interview will be posted on the Oasis website next week, as well as on YouTube, so if you didn't manage to get to either event (as there is a Meet the Author event on 1st December) you will be able to watch it!

I will put more thoughts about the events onto here a little later....

On the countdown now

Well, I have boxes of books at home now ready to take to the launch next week.  All the preparations have been done that possibly can be done, all I have to do is turn up on the night and enjoy the evening!  Hmm, well that may be the case, but in reality I think I will be spending the six days and nights before 24th November agitating in case I have forgotten anything, worrying that there will be a snow blizzard and no one will be able to get there.  And more and more I am sure!  There is a level of confidence around me that everything is going to work perfectly, there will be no malfunctions of the video camera, etc etc.

I think my best approach is to go with the confidence......

Picking up the books on Wednesday had a certain poignancy for us, as it was the anniversary of the day Abi died in 1984.  I have written before about circles coming together and ends being tied up.  It felt very like that for us, having all those books in the car, the celebration of her life and what she meant to all of us.

well at least there is a cover printed...

Last Friday was exciting!  Before catching a train north to visit friends, I had a date with the printers to see the cover for my book coming off the press.  Naive me thought it would be a quick visit to okay the colour.  The whole process was far more complicated than I imagined.  The colour of the cover is different when printed from different computers, and changes (of course) when printed on paper or card....  The presses are vast machines and it's a  highly technical operation.  I was busy trying to compare the machine I saw in front of me with my printer at home.  The large plates full of ink compared with the small cartridges I use.....

The unexpected element was how emotional I felt as I saw the covers churning through and flying towards the end of the machine.  Picture after picture of Abi, looking very innocent with wisps of her blonde hair around her face.  its hard to put into words what it felt like, but it was something like her being around me again, having her input and influence again.  Hitting me in a different way that other people, very soon, are going to reading about her, about me, about my family.  Knowing more about us, us being more visible.

I had to leave the printers before the cover was as close to the colour as I wanted, so waited for emails during the day to reassure me that it was done.

It was a relief when that email finally arrived; now all I have to do is wait for the completed book.

nearly there!

All coming together now, second proofs back to the printers today, first book launch fully booked up, the second one is filling too.  Website is now up and running (though it has been a little temperamental, rather like me at times).

And today I received a note wishing me and my book well from Sarah Brown!  I contacted Sarah earlier this year and she has replied to me with her thoughts "I am sure that your reflections on grief will be helpful to others seeking to understand their own (grief) through the experience of others".  Sarah has written a short piece for an anthology entitled The Death of a Child.  Her good wishes meant a lot to me.

First set of proofs back to printers!

the first set of proofs have now gone back to Quacks the printers.  Having spent a good 8 hours last week going through, checking and amending it was a relief to actually deliver them this morning.  I feel up and down at the moment, sometimes full of excitement about the launch and getting the book out into the world, and other times anxious about all there is to do between now and 24th November.  Feels like a long time, but it will flash by and everything needs to be sorted.

It is so thrilling that the actual book launch event is pretty much full now and the event the following week (Meet the Author) is filling well too.  It all gives me a very warm glow!

the actual invitation

Life is But a Dream: a book written by Christine Neligan (non-Executive Director of the Oasis School of Human Relations) is being launched on Thursday 24th November at Oasis, Hall Mews, Boston Spa, near Wetherby from 6 to 8 pm.  A further event on Thursday 1^st December entitled Meet the Author is also planned at the same venue and time.

The evening will be a chance to hear the author being interviewed about her book by Sophie McCandlish (News Editor of Ripon Gazette) as well as being an opportunity to socialise with Chris’ family, friends and colleagues. 

Chris says: “My daughter Abi died in 1984.  She was the youngest of our four children and aged almost three when she died very suddenly.  My book explores the effect of losing Abi on our family.  I began writing the book as a way of remembering Abi, hoping it would be helpful for our family.  I then realised that perhaps it could be helpful for other people who were experiencing bereavement.  The book explores the impact on the whole family of the loss of Abi.  I believe it is a truthful and honest account of the isolation of bereavement, even for a close-knit family with a supportive network of friends and relatives.”

Chris intends the evening to be a further celebration of Abi’s life and the strong impression she made during her short life.  Coincidentally the evening is the anniversary of the celebration meeting we held after she died. 

RSVP as soon as possible as places are limited for both events: samantha@oasishumanrelations.org.uk

To find out more contact the Oasis School of Human Relations on 01937 541700 or email: chris.neligan@hotmail.com.

Read my blog at: http://neligansdream.blogspot.com

Proof reading is stressful!

spent all day yesterday reading the proofs of my book with Cathy and Heather.  In a way it was easier than I anticipated, in another it took longer and required more thinking through.  This last stage feels like hard work, ensuring it is as good as it can be whilst having a deadline to work towards.  I feel pleased with it though, and can't wait to hold the finished version in my hands!

Plans are coming together for the book launch too, and invitations went out today, which is exciting again!  The first evening on 24.11.11 looks like it will be full, so we are putting on another evening on 1st December called Meet the Author as I do want my book to get out to as many people as possible who might find it interesting and useful.   At present we are thinking that we will show the interview from the first evening, followed by questions and then a reading from the book.  Both evenings will be a chance to socialise as well as view the latest art exhibition at Oasis, which looks stunning.

More news on my book launch...

time passes so fast when there's a lot to do -the latest developments in getting my book into my hands have consumed lots of my energy (mental as well as physical).  The process of thinking through what is required to get the book out into the world has meant lots of discussion, planning and working out.  But everything is falling into place.  The book will be officially launched on Thursday 24th November, as I had hoped, and because lots of people have already indicated they would like to attend we are holding another event on the following Thursday, 1st December. Thanks to a brainwave by Samantha, we are calling that evening Meet the Author.  It is important to me to have the events at Oasis and because of the physical capacity of the centre, we can only accommodate up to 50 at each event.

It is thrilling for me that so many people are keen to come and support me and I am really looking forward to both evenings.

And hopefully after tonight I will have my website too - Life is But a Dream...

Book Launch !

I thought I would include a photo of Abi in this - just to make it come more alive.

Although the date for my book launch isn't until 24th November, some people already aren't able to attend because of prior commitments.  One of those happens to be one of my readers, so its disappointing.  I realised that perhaps I had better get the date out now to make sure as many people as possible can be there.  Every step is a little challenge - whilst some people know I've been writing a book, many people don't, many people don't even know about Abi.  So putting an invitation out is like an invitation not just to be at the book launch, not just to buy my book, but also to ask me (and the family) about Abi and find out more.  Its challenging for me, but even more so for the rest of the family.  But all I have had has been support - I suspect nearer the time there may be more concerns about potential difficulties.  


And the response to the invitation has been great, already people are definitely saying they are coming, or are disappointed they can't but would like to have a copy once its published. 


The process has been made easier by the response from the readers, whose comments will go on the back of the book - all three of them were encouraging and in many ways surprising to me in that they were so very positive.  


So Life is But a Dream - book launch at the Oasis School of Human Relations - Thursday 24th November 2011 at 6 pm!!

cover design

I realise that writing a book demands many different skills - the idea to come to fruition, the actual writing, the process of keeping on going over a long period of time (for me anyway), being able to have colleagues who will read and make helpful comments - the list could go on ad infinitum I guess.  The latest dilemma has been having the idea for the book cover.  the title of the book just came to me very easily - Life is But a Dream is the title of a children's song I used to sing to my children before they went to sleep.  The concept of the title too is something I have played with in my mind over the years.  Is this life I am living realty here and now or is this just a dream?  Would I like it to be a dream I can wake up from and things be different?

Because the book is about my daughter Abi who died when she was nearly three I wanted to have a photo of her on the cover.  I wanted it to be arresting enough that someone might pick up the book because of her photo and want to read it.  So the combination of the title and the photo are important.

I eventually found a photo I wanted to use, but because it was an old one from 1983 or 4 the quality isn't brilliant and it needed "photo-shopping".  so another skill for me to learn!!

then should there be a background watermark picture and what should that be??  Lots of thoughts - because we lived in Hull when she died I wondered about the Humber Bridge as a background - and a bridge being a metaphor for movement through the bereavement process....  But decided against that.  Other landmarks in Hull never seemed that appropriate either.

Abi's photo has now gone off to the designers along with some ideas for colours and Mandy will get back to me hopefully this week with some draft ideas.  Every single step is exciting, brings its own questions and challenges for me and makes the reality of what I have done that much clearer.

photos and things

The last few days I've been busy trying to choose photos to use in my book.  I've already put some into the text, but then realised we had more photos which I could use.  Because they are old photos, they have lost some colour, some are slightly creased and of course they aren't well composed at all.  However I've managed to improve a couple of them, which is a step in the right direction.  The next step will be to send the cover photo off to the designers for them to begin to work on it.

The biggest step forward has been sending copies to my readers.  I've got three people who are reading and hopefully going to make comments which I can put on the back cover.  I've suggested 4 weeks for them to complete reading it, and though only two weeks have gone I am starting to feel anxious about what they might say.  I am hoping this is unfounded anxiety, but I've found myself thinking about other people who would read it as a back-up plan.  Its interesting that my confidence levels about what I've produced are going up and down on a daily basis.  Some days I feel very sure there are people out there in the world who will get something useful out of what I have written.  Other days I imagine me surrounded by boxes of unsold books...........and I am sure my feelings will be echoed by other writers.

The list is growing of people who I want to invite or let know about my book launch.  It still feels a long way off - November, but I am sure it will come round very quickly.  There are lots of plans and ideas to put into place before then.

another step nearer

Well the first draft chapter has come back from the printers.  Trying to decide between two versions, and realising I can always choose another font if I prefer.  This is what my book might look like - it feels very different reading it in that form, compared with when I print it out at home.  Hoping I can get the photos enhanced - that's the trouble with photos from years ago, scanning in ones which have faded because they've either been exposed to sunlight or in fact weren't that good originally!

This feels like a big week as I'm producing copies for my readers to comment on.  And wondering what their reactions/comments will be of course.

Lots of ideas about my book launch - how to promote it, who to invite and so on.  It feels a long time until November but I know it will come round very quickly.  And the next day we will be off to Center Parcs (hopefully) with one branch of the family - allegedly for some r and r!

date for book launch!

Most days seem to bring something exciting, unnerving, challenging!  As I have been reading, re-reading, editing and thinking through I have been making notes of the people who are either mentioned by name or referred to in the book.  Its getting quite a long list.  I've been able to contact some of them already to make sure they are ok with their inclusion - so far everyone has been very enthusiastic.  Its all very encouraging.

the biggest step forward has been to book Thursday 24th November for my book launch.  Reality is hitting home and my mind is racing with things to do in preparation.  Further details will follow nearer the time......

what's this book about?

A very helpful comment  today - what is this book actually about?!  Just because its been part of my life for the last 5 years doesn't mean everyone knows about it, nor that they are mind-readers.

The focus of my book is about the experience of losing my daughter Abi, who died suddenly when she was almost three years old.  Whilst this happened in 1984, the intensity of that loss took many years to diminish.  Over the last few years I realised that what could be helpful for my family was to know more about what it was like for each of them - grief and bereavement can be a very isolating experience.  The book is a collection of interviews with each of the key members of my family (husband, sons and daughter, grandparents and great-aunt) and includes my reflections and learning too.  Through the process of writing I thought that perhaps our experiences might be able to help others too.  I know that in the aftermath of Abi's death I read as many books and articles as I could find and they were very helpful.

Friends enthusiasm!

Just been away for the weekend with friends - the last time we met them I told them about my ideas for my book.  She was thrilled to hear how far I had got and is looking forward to reading later in the year.  She was very encouraging, and it was great for me to hear how keen she was to read and perhaps recommend my book to others.  My ideas for marketing and getting my book out into the world are developing too, though I think its going to be over the summer when I put more of them into action.  Its good practice for me to create an action plan and stick to it - especially for someone like me who isn't what could be described as a "completer-finisher"

Background

This blog is intended to describe the process of getting my book published and out into the world.  Given that I have been working on it for about five years, I am hoping that the publishing process will be somewhat quicker!  My book is being edited by Heather (who has had her own book self-published last year) - that editing is almost finished and once I have it back and are ok with the changes it is going to go to my readers.  I have three who I am hoping will endorse and provide me with some positive comments!  Plus I am contacting another possible reader who would have a wide following!

I've been in touch with a publishers in York (Quacks) who are going to print my book for me.  There is a great connection for me with them in that they have a Quaker connection, plus the business has been on the site for over 300 years.  The building has a wonderful historical feel to it.  The business itself is small, very friendly and have given me a sense of security and confidence!

I am also looking into the possibility of having a book launch at the same time as the next photographic exhibition at Oasis in Boston Spa.  This is likely to be sometime in October. 

At present I'm busy writing my acknowledgements page and author blurb, as well as finding a decent photo of me to go on the back cover.