Writing has always been something that Jules- my other half – and I have always talked about. We have been together 15 years, and it has been one of the constants – me talking about how I want to get a book published some day, and him sharing his ideas and advice with me. He used to be a TV writer - long before he met me – and has a refreshing work ethic when it comes to writing. It’s not this mysterious mythical beast for him. It’s work.

Well, this year, his work paid off. His debut novel, The Map Of Us was picked up by Harper Collins’s imprint, Harper Impulse. It was a digital-first release, so the ebook became available worldwide on the 4th of May, and exactly 2 weeks today – the paperback is being published here in the UK.

To say I’m excited would be the biggest understatement. I’ve been almost incoherently bouncy about the whole business – from getting the first glimpse of the cover, to seeing it available for pre-order on Amazon, to publication day and the first reviews coming in… and now… so close… the paperback.

I am just so proud that this gorgeous story is bringing so much joy to readers. This is a book I witnessed coming to life. I got to fall in love with the characters in the very early drafts, and now to see others talking about them like they know them is an incredible experience.

The Map of Us is a book about love. All the different versions of love. And it’s about finding yourself. Of course, I’m biased, but every time I read it, I find something new to make me giggle or cry a little.

When Jules was busy writing it, our house was filled with a lot of muttering – conversations with characters coming from his room, floating down the stairs. You had to be careful about opening doors too quickly for fear of disturbing one of the many piles of paper surrounding him.

It has been really magical, discovering elements of people I know, and some of my own character traits, woven into a book- and oddly intimate too.

It really is a dream come true, seeing this book published and climbing the Amazon charts – and I just hope it keeps finding new readers across the world who will keep falling in love with its cast of quirky characters.

As for us, we’re still talking about writing, and the house is now full of the sound of a very busy typewriter as piles of paper stack up once again… book 2 is under way!

You can grab a copy of The Map Of Us from Amazon.co.uk here and Amazon.com here

Back of the book blurb:

(official description of The Map of Us by Jules Preston taken from its Amazon page)

Violet North is wonderfully inconvenient. Abandoned by her family and lost in an imagined world of moors and adventure, her life changes in the space of just 37 words exchanged with a stranger at her front door.

Decades later, Daniel Bearing has inherited his father's multi-million pound business, and is utterly lost. He has no idea who he is or where his life is headed.

When Violet’s granddaughter’s marriage falls apart, Tilly, always adept with numbers, compiles a detailed statistical report to pinpoint why. But the Compatibility Index Tilly creates has unforeseen consequences for everyone in her world.

Tilly and Daniel share a secret too. 10.37am, April 22nd.

Soon, a complex web of secrets and lies is exposed and an adventure begins with a blue typewriter…

I'd love to know what you think!
See you tomorrow...
Eveningart x