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.