Happy to say the whole 'launching a new book into the world' process went very well. Aside from a few emotional bumps along the way everything has been great. I expected a bit of push-back from some quarters from people who might think me a 'wowser' or like I was being preachy or judgemental, but I seem to have escaped that criticism (so far).. which is good because I work very hard to not come across as any of those things!
It's such a strange process putting out a book. You feel very vulnerable and nervous, but also proud and excited. I was swamped with lovely messages via social media and through my email and text messages etc.. lots and lots of contacts and friends and family reaching out to say 'well done'. Everything is noisy and stimulating, busy and heady. And now... quiet.
Two weeks on from the launch and the book is now just another book on the shelf and out there in people's homes being read and absorbed and having a life of it's own. Meanwhile my life is getting back to normal. I've been through this a few times before so I know to stop Googling my name to see if anyone has written anything and not to look at Goodreads or Amazon for what reviews might be posted (it takes just one 2-star review to ruin a day).
Instead I am returning to my usual routines of working on Living Sober, doing workshops, dog walking, puzzling (have become very keen on doing jigsaw puzzles!), podcast listening, housework, cooking, parenting (which mostly involves being a taxi driver and money machine nowadays), drinking many cups of tea, watching tele in my comfy pants blah blah blah you get the gist. Being a sober housewife and mum in the suburbs ticking away at life.
Embracing all that comes along with a clear head and honest intention. Not seeking to numb and avoid my emotions (other than the odd sugar binge), not seeking to avoid anything real that is going on.. just facing up every day to life... warts and all.
Bloody hell it's good. It is so good being out of the boozy trap that I was once in, where all I did was guzzle wine daily to deal with life and my emotions. What an incredible ride I have been on in the past 8 1/2 years to get to this point today. Forget writing books and the shift in my career.. simply on a deep internal level my life has changed so hugely and for that I am extremely grateful.
But back to the book. The Wine O'Clock Myth is something I am really, really proud of. It takes all that I have learned and witnessed and heard about over the past 8 years and put it in one place. It also takes in 20 incredible in-depth stories from women sharing the truth about their relationships with alcohol. Not the lies and distorted view that we are so often fed through the media.. the truth. These stories are incredibly heart-warming and inspiring and also, at times, heartbreaking in their brutal honesty. The book is worth reading for these tales alone (sales pitch!) but also for the research and journalism I put into the chapters that I wrote.
Hard copies are available here via Mighty Ape (NZ & Australia only for now) or Kindle here. Hard copies are available over in the US and UK etc in October.. otherwise it's eBooks only for those far-flung countries for now. It'll also be available via audio book later in the year.
No more book writing for now! Until the next idea hits that is. Ha ha. In the meantime it must be time for a cup of tea.
Love, Mrs D xxx
It’s a brilliant book.
ReplyDeleteAm half way through your book and identify with every aspect of the struggle. As a seemingly together person, fitness freak, calorie counter, step monitor obsessive I am an enigma to myself. Most of of my behaviours contradict one another. The calories I save on food I spend on wine; the calories I expend at the gym I waste on wine. If asked to eat a doughnut I would offer my tongue as a sacrifice; but offer me wine and my intellectual calculator vanishes. I use alcohol to reward myself for exercising or for skipping a meal. My world is upside down. I’m not a stranger to extremes and have tackled a few storms in my 53 years. Nothing major just life stuff. I have four gorgeous children and a temperate husband, who like yours seems to assume that moderation is easy, I have a wonderful career and balance life . I n the past being a single parent, whilst husband serving in the army, my justification was tiredness, reward and me time. Life now has never been better yet alcohol controls me. I haven’t had a crisis but covid has focused the mind on my weakness, wine has become a habit difficult to break and one I’m determined to address once and for all . Thankyou for humanising a very common affliction which will only be recognised if we share and are brave enough to hold our hands up and confess to needing help.
ReplyDeleteoh Lotta! I didn't know you had another book out! I will get it on kindle today. And yes, it's completely shameful how our society normalizes/encourages drug taking (alcohol) and calls it "mommy's little helper" and tells women they need this toxic and highly addictive substance to bond with other women and to deal with the stress of parenting. It's infuriating and I'm ashamed I ever bought into that whole pack of lies. Can't wait to read it -love your writing!
ReplyDeleteIt feels like we are reverting back to the past as women. In the 1950's and 60's tranquillisers were handed out like candy and a lot of women thought they couldn't cope without them.
DeleteThese days women (and men) are blunting the edges with alcohol and the great thing about it is it is so readily available and so very expected that it is a dangerous epidemic hiding in plain sight.
I have just finished Mrs D is going without and already have got Mrs D is going within all downloaded and i can't wait to read it.
Was in bed for 7.05pm with a cup of tea and some digestives reading and it felt great.
I am only 10 days sober so still early days. But i am so very grateful for books like yours Lotta because it feels like you have done the trailblazing and people like me benefit from knowing some of what the future landscape of our sobriety looks like.
Sorry for droning on. Bet you are glad I'm not drunk if this is how much i go on sober.
Amazing journey and story lotta I've just started your second book and have just hit 7 months sober from everything drugs being my poison for 25 years I'm 37 now and feel like Ivr just been born learning how to be a responsible adult it's so exciting and scary at the same time I feel so awkward at family gatherings and social occasions but I'm determined as I was determined to source my poison what a waste of life it can be so proud of you and thank you so much
ReplyDelete