I remember my sister telling me that while I might have thought it was hard to get into uni, it's even harder to get onto a phd programme, and then much much harder to get a post doc, and then even tougher to get tenure... At every step, most people just give up and drop out of the running. The pool gets smaller and smaller but more and more competitive. Until finally, there a stage where things start to get just a touch easier. You are on the home straight.

Being a novelist is much the same.

Most poeple never finish their first book and, of those that do, most never get an agent. Even fewer get published and then, sadly, most published books fail. Once you have a couple of successful novels out there, though, it's a bit like getting tenure. You are in with more of a chance to get to the next stage. Readers are supportive of authors they like; they are keen for the next book to come. There is a tiny bit of traction.

I'm not quite there. Book 2 is out in May, and Book 3 in Agust; they are my litmus tests. So all my fingers are crossed; even my toes are crossed. Everything's crossed, seriously.

23rd May here we come. Wish me luck.