Dear Substacking Friends,
I started this Substack in December. This is my fourteenth post. I’ve been deliberating all week what to write, even whether to write at all. It was easier when I didn’t have a new book to launch (fyi Save Me from the Waves which came out last week); a mum in hospital; and various other stressful things going on in my life. I’ve also been wrestling with the ‘negativity bias’ - which I know happens to all human beings - especially when you put yourself and your work out into the world. I keep focusing on all the things I wish had gone better (rather than celebrating the things that have gone well). I don’t dare look at my book reviews on Amazon because I know if there’s one bad one it will have more weight than ten good ones. And on the Substack front - I keep thinking does anyone actually care if I write anyway? Maybe people are sick of hearing from me. I’ve been posting to all my subscribers (free and paid) weekly (on a Sunday) for three months now. To be honest I haven’t had a lot of comments or messages. I haven’t had a lot of likes. And it’s quite an effort to write / voice note every week…
BUT I’ve promised you this Substack wouldn’t be about the SHIT - right?
So…yesterday something lovely happened. I got the film of my book launch at my theatre home - the Lyric Hammersmith hosted beautifully by the beautiful broadcaster Janet Ellis. I watched it from start to finish last night. And you know what - I loved it. And moving forward I’m not going to think of the things I could have said better. Or how I wish I’d lost a half a stone before the big night. I’m going to think about how bloody brilliant it was. How it was one of the most important, exciting, wonderful nights of my life.
And I know this post isn’t a list - but what I’ve embedded for you at the beginning of this email is a two and a half minute excerpt from the launch (me on stage at my lovely Lyric) reading from the ‘Overture’ of Save Me from the Waves - which you can buy from Stanfords where I’m ‘Book of the Month’; or Amazon (and please write a review because reviews are important in helping people find the book and even if you hate it can you write a nice one and say she put her heart and soul into writing it - as all writers do); or indeed whatever your favourite bookseller is. I’ve called the clip ‘List-Lover’ and if you watch it I think you’ll see why. It’s also why I was inspired to call my Substack ‘Lists of Love’…
I hope you enjoy it. Over and out just for now!
PS. For a run down of other nice things that have happened/are happening (in a concerted effort to count and list all my blessings) - there’s been some amazing press and podcast coverage for the book and I’ve got some lovely events coming up. Check out my Linktree for all the details…
PPS. ‘Lists of Love’ is a new(ish) reader-supported publication by me. At the moment all my subscribers (paid and free) are receiving weekly posts to celebrate its launch. But from the end of March I’m proposing that only my paid subscribers will receive weekly posts, and free subscribers will receive monthly missives (mainly so you get to choose how often you hear from me because we all get too much email - right?). But if you do love receiving ‘Lists of Love’ in your inbox weekly, please consider going paid (and buying me a monthly cup of coffee and half a doughnut – see my About Page for what that means). But if less is more, then I hope you’ll stay on as a free subscriber. In the words of Bob Dylan - either choice makes me feel your love! For all subscription details see here.
Life is all about small and huge ups and downs that happen but also with emotions and thoughts, so glad you are seeing the positives again! The Lyric night was amazing! like with someone we know very well, rest, sleep and less worrying help the soul to heal and get in a better head space
Cynthia
Hi Jessica
Your book launch was AMAZING! You are AMAZING. Perhaps it’s human nature to have a slump after so much emotional energy has been spent. Especially when other life pressures are crowding in.
I love the launch excerpt you have chosen, with your gentle light hearted tone.
The journey to accepting that one thing might never be on the list, is a tough gig - Thank you for Shining the light for the rest of us 🌟