I’ve just got back from 11 days in New York, and can I just say, although I obviously hope the book does well, I had so much fun hanging out with the girls (Sarah, Claudia, I’m talking about YOU) that whatever becomes of Face Value (the purpose of my trip)  it was worth all the blood, sweat and tears just to have that time away from - dare I say it - husband and kids.  Now I feel mean for saying it, because as a mum and a wife, you’re not supposed to think these things.  It’s not that I didn’t miss them, but I definitely didn’t miss school runs, homework, tantrums and I really appreciated having the freedom to go for a drink at 6 without having to ask anyone whether that was okay, and could they cover for me, and by the way Manu has a dictation tomorrow.  I’m not quite sure where this whole diatribe is going… probably nowhere positive, but honestly, I felt 20 years younger.  Literally binning the Creme de la Mer (not that I use that too much, although my mother in law is a big big fan). And yet, I did feel a little lonely on the big day of the book launch as my husband couldn’t make it out because Silverjet went bust,  (apologies to the hairdresser at Blow on W.14th who had the misfortune to ask me whether said husband was coming out to NY at which point I burst into tears)  and I did miss my kids, especially my daughter who called me every day several times a day to ask how many more days were there until I came back!  (There was a wall-chart, days were crossed off).  I think my son was fine with his Lego and not being nagged to do Cello practise. 

I have so much to tell you about my trip, but I’m finding this all a bit confusing.  For starters, who is “YOU”? And should this long, telling of tales be something that goes in a blog or in a newsletter?   Could someone please tell me what I’m supposed to be doing?  I think a blog is a diary, and a newsletter something that just goes out randomly or perhaps regularly.  I have issues with the word “blog” it sounds a little too similar to “bog”.  Okay, I get it, maybe it’s a biography meets log?  I don’t know.  I make no apologies for my illiteracy with all things computer driven.  I think I’m doing fine just getting this far.  When I left school computers were just being introduced.  Computer, singular.  Hieroglyphics, a black and white screen.  But I’m not going to blame school.  As JK Rowling said in her Harvard commencement speech (thank you Chloe for forwarding that to me), there’s only so long you can keep blaming school for stuff.  (She actually said “parents” but I’m sure the same rule applies.   But back to who is “YOU”, please let me know if anyone is out there? 

Someone said to me that “YOU” also wanted lots of beauty products and recommendations.  So today’s recommendation:  MD SKINCARE Alpha beta daily face peel.   It’s so good that I even bought some when I was in Sephora in New York - evens out skintone, makes you look years younger if you can’t get out to new york for 11 days without your husband and kids etc.  I was doing a shoot for Lucky magazine and in between takes I managed to fill my basket with goodies.  I paid for them, I didn’t shoplift. Interesting the things you will happily fork out for, as opposed to wait until it comes in for free.   MD’s peel is definitely one I’ll buy.  I also bought a scented candle from Philosophy and some soap from Fresh, which is exquisite.  You can read the whole story when it comes out in the September (or possibly October issue) of LUCKY, but suffice to say, there was one funny, slightly surreal moment when I was standing in Fifth Avenue having my picture taken, as Jay the hairdresser and Christina the editor held back the crowds of passers by, no doubt wondering, was this a plus-size campaign they had stumbled on, or a reality makeover shoot, as it was pretty obvious I wasn’t Penelope Cruz. 

Bear with me for one more moment of big-headedness, and really this is just an excuse to put some pictures in… but I’d like to tell you about the launch party at Space NK in Greene Street, Soho.  I was so nervous, but by the time I had a glass of champagne and Simone, one of the store’s fabulous make-up artists had sat me in the chair, whipped out the make-up,  and made me look half-decent I was fine.   The mission: to do a couple of readings from the novel, sell some books, sign some copies.  The nuns might disagree with me, but I’m convinced that all those years of walking up and down the aisle at chapel to the lectern and doing the readings for mass when I was at the convent boarding school were clearly leading to this moment. (But I’m not blaming stuff on school, see above, JK Rowling)   Debra Dawson and Brandi, the store manager, had it all organised - a mike, a chair, and there I sat, reading from the book before an audience of around 80 friends, and strangers.  Thankfully, I restrained myself from doing the accents of the different characters in the novel - JK, the plastic surgeon, the actress who was having a consultation.  I’ve been reading Huckleberry Finn to the kids, and it’s one thing doing a terrible southern accent in the privacy of your own home, but I wasn’t about to do Californian accents in public. 

That’s Sarah and Pascal Dangin - Sarah shares Top NYC Girl Friend award with Claudia Savino. Pascal is her lovely husband who retouched the picture on my website.  Sarah needs a hair grip in her hair in this picture as she is very pretty but you can’t see her face. I’ll try and find another picture. 

This is me with Piers North and Keren Craig (who are engaged) and Georgina Chapman  (who is married).  (I’m glad we’re all clued up on everyone’s marital status now).  Keri and Georgina are the designers from the Marchesa label which my heroine Kate Miller wears when she’s in LA trying to impress at a big party.  She does quite well until she throws up in the fountain in the garden, but that had nothing to do with her wearing the dress. 

Claudia Savino shares the Top NYC Girl Friend award with Sarah Dangin.  That’s her on the right.  She especially deserves the award for her efforts on the following night at Border’s in Park Avenue, where she tried to coax people down from the cafe to the book signing in the basement when it looked like it was going to be just me and 6 others (but that’s another story).   Oh okay then… let’s do that story too… 

Above - this is me and Emily Beth Rapoport, the editor from Berkley responsible for bringing us Face Value (yes, you can blame her!)  Borders, 4th June 2008.  

Below - me, after a reading, answering questions, most of which came from the lovely woman in the cafe that Claudia dragged down to help us fill up the chairs… 

After the signing, I needed a drink.  I suppose that along with the 11-days-without husband and kids- comment, that’s not fashionable to say either,  but I found the Borders experience tough.  The people in the store were so amazing and professional, I cannot thank them enough, but what I’ve learnt is that with book signings, it’s hard to get people down.  We had about ten there, and my agent Deborah says this is good !  Apparently some bestselling authors have no one.   Having said that, it was great experience for me, having to answer questions and read out loud, and I will never forget seeing Sarah laugh so hysterically she had to hide behind the bookshelves.  Emily Beth asked me one question on the night: how does your experience of publishing a novel measure up to how you imagined it would be?   I didn’t think it would be this hard to get people down.  But then a friend of mine said later: what did you expect? No one knows you! The book’s been out for a day!    And my big headed moments from the Space NK event crumbled into dust. 

But to end on a good note… I popped into a book store to sign some books on my last day in New York, and guess what - they’d sold out already.  After only a few days.    I did a radio interview for Sirius on the Candace Bushnell show, and she was great fun, I think it went well.  And then I did something for Channel Four - my friend Kate Spicer is making a tv documentary for them about being afraid of all things surgical and trying out Botox etc in the interests of “immersive” journalism  (similar to the plot of my novel) and that was fun.  Especially after the filming bit when we got to sip Rose by the pool at Soho House.   (actually not that close to the pool, all those displays of flesh are a little too flagrant for me) 

Probably a good idea I came home when I did.