Today is the day of the paperback release of The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs. It is not marked by a launch party and a new frock, rather by looking after my children since it’s half-term week. In fact, paperback publication is odd, like a renewal of wedding vows without any sort of party, but in many ways it’s more important than its hardback equivalent since it’s where the sales really happen. There is some excitement – ads on websites such as Mumsnet and these (pictured) rather beautiful table ads in Coffee Republic. Sadly I don’t have … Read the full entry

My friend Wendy Jones published her first novel, The Thoughts and Happenings of Wilfred Price Purveyor or Superior Funerals (which is an even title worse for tweeting than mine) last week. She had a very lovely launch at Daunts in Marylebone, which was as warm and generous as the book itself. Any writer will tell you that it can be a teeny bit irksome when people at parties tell you that of course they’d write a brilliant novel or that they have a great novel within them. It’s not that they shouldn’t be ‘allowed’ to write, far from it, but … Read the full entry

I do think a book is a perfect Valentine’s Day gift, if you’re into that sort of thing. Certainly better than chocolates or flowers. And what better romantic present than a book about a couple who really hate each other? I’m very excited about the publication of The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs in paperback and it’s now only one week away…

The paperback of The Pile is coming out in February with lots of great quotes from people who enjoyed it, including Sarah Vine, Lisa Jewell and Wendy Holden. Hodder, my publishers, chose to change the cover for the paperback. I think they’ve done a brilliant job in that, at first glance, it is very recognisably the same book as the hardback with the strong red and blue colours. However, they’ve pared it down so that it’s become starker and more graphic. You could also say less overtly ‘female’ in that the objects at the bottom of the stairs have now been replaced … Read the full entry

De Troep onder aan de Trap is the wonderful title for  my ‘roman over het huwelijk, werk en moederschap’ (I’m guessing that says ‘a novel about housework, work and motherhood’, but Dutch speakers can correct me*). As you can see by this picture, it’s got a great cover with judicious use of pink and lovely blocky feel. My Dutch is sadly limited but I’m sure Emilin Lap has done a sterling job on the translation because she certainly writes a good email as has the publisher Juliette Van Wersch and publicist Elaine Oey. Hartelijk dank to all at AW Bruna. … Read the full entry

Delivered, though not done and dusted by any means. I am very relieved that my wonderful publishers like it and have so many great suggestions on how to improve it. Now I am just lacking a title – maybe I should put that question out to tender in the same way that Blue Peter name their pets. I remember being desperate that their new cat should be called Kitty, so many this is not such a great idea…

USA Today has over 3 million readers and lots of other very big impressive statistics. It also reviewed my book in a chick-lit round-up. I’m always a bit ambivalent about that term, but if it’s a great review in a stonking paper, then who am I to complain? They say ‘Funny and full of familiar anecdotes about family life, including a cringe-worthy, but hilarious incident with a “poo crayon,” British author Christina Hopkinson’s tale is a worthy summer contender for mommy book clubs.’