Look at that face. Stood on my balcony in Leeds, I’m finally holding a paperback copy of my now published book ‘The Superhero’s Murder’. The journey to this day has taken more years, rewrites, and hours of effort than I care to remember. I couldn’t be more happy or proud.

But I don’t want this blog post to be about me. I want it to be about the people who have backed me so far. I want to say thank you. 

The support has been overwhelming since I shared the news on various social media platforms over the weekend. I’ve had messages, photos of purchases, shares, and likes from a whole host of people connected to me in an abundance of ways. I’m not naïve to the fact the sales I’ve made so far are primarily from friends, family, and people I know. As an author I’m a blank slate and an unknown, it’ll take time for strangers to find my work and hopefully enjoy it. The success I’ve had so far is because of the kindness and generosity of personal connections.

The concept of sharing the book was terrifying. As I’m sure anyone reading can empathise with there’s a level of vulnerability and anxiety with putting an artistic side of yourself out there. Will people hate it? Do people want to see me crash and burn? Will people mock me? Writing those questions about the fear seems laughable, but as I uploaded the book, the anxieties felt real and nerve-wracking. 

When I shared the posts, questioning all the above, the likes and support started flooding in. The kindness and validation that a simple like or comment can bring washed away any fears I had. Knowing that there’s people out there willing you to do well, even if we haven’t interacted in years, helps keep any anxieties at bay. You don’t have to buy it, it won’t be for everyone, but the show of encouragement means a lot. The reality sinking in is that on balance more people want to see you do well with what is a passion project than do badly. Once again, thank you.

Give it a Go

I want to end this post with a quote from an author far more talented and eloquent than me, Stephen King. For anyone reading this who has considered writing, painting, setting up their own business or trying something creative I urge you to do so. Don’t look for motivation, inspiration and certainly not permission. Other people can hate it, be cynical, or they can ignore it. But the majority won’t. Just start and whatever it is you pick, see it through to the end. It doesn’t matter how long it takes when it’s done. The feeling is euphoric. 

“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy. …this book…is a permission slip: you can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will. Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up.”

Stephen King