Disraeli Avenue

Well I did promise you news(!)

I’ve been spinning for the last few days.
Round and round and round.

As you know, I submitted my novella Disraeli Avenue to Clare Christian at The Friday project.
She read it over the weekend and rang on Monday afternoon, to talk through the proposed idea.

Since then we have completed two edits and I've written an additional section.
(and Clare has had to deal with far too many phone calls from me)

The proposed idea, or rather now the supported idea.
I will be releasing Disraeli Avenue as a free download, an eBook.
A free read.

There will be a voluntary donations page, supporting the charity One in Four.
One in Four is an organisation run for and by people who have experienced sexual abuse.

Since Monday.
I feel that I have been covered in a down pouring of kindness.
I really am overwhelmed and very tearful.
People have listened to me, really listened.
I feel that my urgency, my need, has been understood.

I can't find the words.

I contacted Joanna Chisholm from Wordsense Ltd.
Joanna was the typesetter for In Search of Adam and for Black Boxes.
I telephoned her, explained the project and asked if she could offer her services, free of charge.
(I’ve never done anything like that before, never ever)
Joanna said yes, without hesitation.
She now has the final manuscript and is working with it.

I spoke to people at One in Four, telling them my plans.
I was left emotional.
There are so many who need to hear a voice that understands, truly understands.
And this organisation is full of people who comprehend, recognise, accept.
I looked at other charities, each has a need, but my helping One in Four is for Jude.
(I hope this is making sense)
And I know that even the smallest of donations will make a difference to them.

And this morning I contacted Emma at SnowAngels who designed both of the covers for Black Boxes and In Search of Adam.
I asked if she would design the front cover, free of charge.
(again I was cringing at my barefaced cheek)
I had an email back within minutes.
I filled out a briefing form.
And.
Well, you can see the result.
The cover is stunning, again.

So, over the next few days, I’ll be spinning.

I’m a lot out of my depth, but am learning/asking lots of random questions.

If anyone thinks that they can help in any way, please let me know.
I’m open to ideas.
There is the whole promoting, spreading the word to consider.

I’ve a few more ideas, which I’ll try and blog about as and when.
(But in the meantime I’d rather like someone to do a video of one of the monologues)
(anyone got a strong Geordie accent and can act?)
(I am only part joking)

All help will be acknowledged, is being acknowledged.
But more than that.
I feel like I’m doing something that has worth.

There’s no financial gain here, for those involved.

I wish I could find the words.
But I can't express what I really need to say.

I’m churning and spinning and on the verge of tears.

I guess that I have a renewed faith.
And more than that, I have a voice.

Disraeli Avenue will be launched in February.

* * *

Note to reader:

For those who don't know.
Disraeli Avenue offers 32 flashes from the houses that make up the street that Jude once lived on.
It's a novella.
(I love that word)
Many of the characters are featured within In Search of Adam.
Tales of debt, infidelity, love and loss all combine and weave into a mosaic of working class life.

* * *