Debbie Rix's Blog

I have just received my first review of 'Daughters of the Silk Road' - and it was for 5*. I'm thrilled obviously. The book was put up on Net Galley on Friday evening, and I'm so touched that someone took the trouble to read it so quickly and leave such a positive review. I've spent the last few weeks immersed in copy edits for the book, and only received the electronic copy of it myself on Friday afternoon. It is always an amazing moment to see your 'word' document transformed into a readable entity.
I hope that people enjoy reading the new book. I'm delighted that, so far, pre-orders are going well - so thanks to everyone who has taken the trouble to order it. The book will be published on 15th April...

I am waiting... waiting for the copy editor to send back the line edits for my new novel. I sit at my desk trying to decide if I can start anything new before I have 'finished' what I have begun... I am in limbo.
I have written a new blog post for my website about the nature of heroism in historical fiction. I asked for the views of friends and bloggers on Facebook and it was interesting.. My blog can be read here: http://bit.ly/1VdJnMb
It would seem that the people prefer their heroes to be slightly flawed; to be able to observe, as the novel progresses, the central character struggling with their inner demons and ultimately overcoming their failings and weakness. I certainly find that a compelling idea and developed that theme in my first novel Secrets of the Tower. In my new novel, one of my male characters struggles with his inner desires. The novel will be published in April... if I ever get my hands on those edits...Secrets of the Tower

I wandered into my local Waterstones the other day and saw - to my utter delight - that my novel 'Secrets of the Tower' is on display. The manager had placed it next to a novel by Maggie O'Farrell. I was over the moon. It is really quite extraordinary how important these steps are in the life of an aspiring author... I do not consider myself a 'novelist' yet - I simply have not written enough novels to have earned that description. But this was one tiny step on the road.
Thank you Waterstones! You are without doubt my favourite book store...

I am currently immersed in book no 2... the follow up to 'Secrets of the Tower' http://t.co/YBr5qUk7tx

It does not continue that story line at all, but will once again be a tale told in two time-zones: modern-day and 15th century. It is always a worry, as a new writer, that you only have one book inside you. We've all heard that haven't we? 'Everyone has a book inside them' is a common phrase. And many of us yearn to get that book out and published. Sometimes it's a super-human effort to achieve just that. And then there is the excitement of the launch, the sales beginning to build up etc. But sooner or later, if you are serious about being a writer, you must begin the next book. And that is why I'm so relieved that the second book is filtering out of my brain and onto the computer.

I am hugely grateful to all the Goodreads members who have taken the trouble to read, review and rate my first novel. Thank you...

Well the big day has finally arrived - the launch of my novel Secrets of the Tower. And it falls on an interesting day... International Happiness Day and the day on which the sun will be momentarily eclipsed by the moon. It's pretty cloudy where I live, so not sure how much of the eclipse we'll be able to see - but it seems strange sitting at my desk at seven in the morning waiting for the sky to darken... I hope everyone has a happy day today and huge thanks to everyone who has posted a review on the book.

This has been quite a week! After many years of researching and writing 'Secrets of the Tower', we have revealed the cover. I am delighted with it and so, it appears, are all the very kind people who have tweeted and 'liked' it on social media. Huge thanks to everyone, and particularly to the people who have already reviewed the book. I've had some wonderful comments.
The book itself is out on March 20th - so not long to wait now!