The First Week Being Published by Jess Butterworth

This has been my first week as a published author and I wanted to share some of my highlights from it. It was busier and better than I ever could have imagined! I’ve been overwhelmed by the support from all of you - thank you very much! 

It kicked off with a launch party at Waterstones in Bath. I brought lots of objects along that feature in Running on the Roof of the World, like a yak bell, prayer wheel, and two toy yaks. I said a few words, followed by my editor. There was an interview and an audience question and answer session, and then I did a reading of the first chapter of the book before signings. 

Over the week my publicist had arranged for me to meet wonderful booksellers and sign their stock of the book. Seeing it out in the wild is the best feeling ever! 

On Monday, I did my first school visit. I spoke to sixty 9-year-olds about Tibet, writing, and inspiration. (And introduced them to my toy yaks!) 

On Wednesday, I was thrilled to pop into Fun Kids Radio and be interviewed. It will be aired early next week – watch this space! 

That evening I was delighted to take part in a panel called ‘New Voices in Middle-Grade Fiction,’ at Waterstones Piccadilly, alongside Sarah Driver, Amy Wilson, Christopher Edge and Kiran Millwood-Hargrave. The event was chaired by Clare Zinkin from Minerva Reads. We discussed our writing processes, inciting wonder in our readers, and the importance of books for this age group.

Now it’s back to finishing the edits for my second book, When the Mountains Roared!

Jess Butterworth 

@j_t_butterworth (twitter)

@jessbutterworthauthor (facebook)  

Running on the Roof of the World is out now