Call Out to Claire

Today I’m joined by Claire Sheldon, who is one of Ruby Fiction’s debut authors, and her new book Perfect Lie is due for publication on 16th June – a perfectly exciting time! This is the blurb, right here…

What is ‘perfect’ trying to hide?
Jen Garner tries her best to be ‘wife and mother of the year’. She helps organise school plays and accompanies her husband to company dinners, all with a big smile on her face.
But Jen has started to receive strange gifts in the post … first flowers, then a sympathy card.
It could just be a joke; that’s what she tells herself. But then the final ‘gift’ arrives, and Jen has to question why somebody is so intent on shattering her life into pieces …
I thought I’d ask Claire a few questions, just so we get to know her a little better and we’re all prepared for Perfect Lie coming out.
Hello Claire! How does it feel to finally be a published author?

After a failed start previously, I think the 16th will be more about relief than anything. I am pretty sure there will be plenty of bouncing off walls though!!!! I always think about the scene in the Taylor Swift music video for Delicate when she is dancing in the rain and sliding over the car.

Wow Claire, you have impressed me with your flexibility. Thank you so much for posing for that photograph. Taylor definitely has competition. Now, can you let us know what has been the most difficult part of writing and editing the book?

Most certainly writing it! My editor has been amazing! I didn’t need as much hand holding as I thought I might need, so it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
I think that writing can be is a lonely process, sometimes it feels like I have thrown up words onto a page, because then I need to go back through and make it, make sense.

Oh I love the editing process. In my mind it can only make the book better and the editor always knows what to do in order to make our readers enjoy it, so I’m very happy to take on her suggestions! Have you been writing for very long, Claire?

This book has taken me about four years to write, from first draft to millions of versions afterwards. I have written stuff in the past, but a lot of it is full of teenage angst so these are securely in my bottom draw. So if you know anyone that wants some YA…

I love your working area – that’s clearly where you’ve created all these wonderful stories. Yes, I ended up self-publishing my bottom drawer ones. I was a bit niche, apparently – but people seemed to like them, niche or not, so I’m happy enough with that. Anyway, how have your family and friends reacted to your publication news?

I had previously been at this point before, so I think everyone around me was very cautious. Though once everything had been confirmed I did share a bottle of “champaign” with my team at work. Though on cover reveal day when the pre-sale links went up I was very much bouncing off the walls! As I could finally go look!?!

It’s a brilliant feeling, isn’t it? What treats or little rituals have got you through the process and how do you think you’ll celebrate publication day?

Chocolate and lots of it, oh and tears – lots of those too!
As for publication day well, both the kids will be in school, as my husband is a fire fighter and I’ve also got the day off work, so who knows? Back to bed after school drop off? Or even not doing school drop off… I think if we weren’t in “lockdown” we might have gone out and celebrated more.

It’s something for you to look forward to, but I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous day regardless. Best of luck with your new book, Claire, and it’s been lovely chatting to you!

About Claire
Claire lives in Nottingham with her family, a cat called Whiskers and a dog called Podrick.

She suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and as a result of the disease had to reduce her hours working in insurance for an Insolvency Insurer. This spare time enabled her to study a creative writing course which inspired her to write her debut, Perfect Lie.

When Claire isn’t working she enjoys reading crime novels and listening to music – the band Jimmy Eat World is her biggest muse! Claire is also an avid reader and book blogger. The inspiration for her novels comes from the hours spent watching The Bill with her grandparents and auntie; then later, Spooks and other detective programmes like Inspector Morse, A Touch of Frost and Midsomer Murders.