There's not a lot of writing going on this month. Instead, there's a whole lot of 'life' and travel happening, which might lead later on to some words. The common denominator this summer (so far) is sun - not something I say very often from my flat in Scotland - the luxury of reading for pleasure and most of all, spending time with friends.

When I'm tutoring creative writing, delving into a mentoring session or doing a spot of 'book doctoring' I often mention how a good ending is equally the beginning of something else, of what's to come next in the story. Publication of a novel is a perfect example of that.

The Almost Truth, my debut novel, was launched at Oxgangs Library, on the evening of Friday 19th April. It was the most fantastic event - thank you to everyone who was involved.

I'm pleased to say that publication day for The Almost Truth has finally arrived. I'm emerging just that bit further as an author...Sometimes pictures speak louder than words:

Ten days and counting until The Almost Truth, my debut novel, is published on the 8th April. This is, if you like, the final push in an experience that has had peaks and troughs of action and silence, while so much work has gone on behind the scenes.