Sein Zorn komme über uns

In exactly one month from now my debut novel will hit the shelves in Germany. I know as writer I should be able to explain exactly how I'm feeling right now but sometimes things are just so extreme there's no single word that adequately describes them. This is one of those times.  

So, after years of writing, pitching, rewriting, editing and waiting, publication day is nearly here. The fact that I won't be able to read it - I don't speak German sadly - makes no difference to the sense of achievement I'm experiencing. 

I've seen the cover design and viewed the book on German websites but, bizarrely, I've not met the person(s) whose decision it was to take it on, let alone the translator. And I've yet to hold a hard copy of the book in my hand. So, even at this late stage, I'm feeling slightly detached from reality.

Last year, I attended the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate where I met the man who would later become my UK editor. Little did I know it at the time, but I hoped, I dreamed, I kept believing. Next week, I will return to Harrogate. I know many aspiring writers will also be there hoping to meet someone in the publishing industry with the power to make their dreams come true. If you are one of those people I wish you the very best of luck.  

Mari