So after months of harassing my nearest and dearest for stories and typing frantically day and night (not to mention harping on about it on Twitter and Facebook) It’s Not Me, It’s You finally came out last week. Whoop!

The make-or-break reviews began on Tuesday prompting numerous alarming dreams the night before - all with the cheery central theme of the book getting an absolute pasting in print. I was pretty amazed by how imaginatively mean my subconscious could be conjuring up back-to-back vivid nightmares where I’d find myself reading reams of scathing and horrifying vitriol about my work.

As a result I woke up at 6.45am on Tuesday feeling sick and clammy and not daring to leave the house to check out the reviews for It’s Not Me, It’s You. Instead I waited cowardly for someone from Headline, my publishers, to email me to let me know whether the review Gods were on my side or not.

As it happens I had little to worry about. So far (I am manically gripping my wooden table as I write this) the reviews have been favourable and I am ridiculously chuffed and relieved.

I am also trying to keep the obsession with my Amazon ranking in check.

For the uninitiated, every book on Amazon is ranked with a number revealing how well it is selling and any author will tell you that constantly checking your score is as addictive as crack.

It’s Not Me, It’s You is presently jostling for 362nd place on the site. A worthy position (many thanks to all who helped put me there) but still a long way removed from the coveted world of Amazon’s top ten bestsellers where literary A-listers such as Audrey Niffenegger, Stephenie Meyer and Dan Brown bask in their genius and glory. Damn them for their brilliance (and multi-million bank balances).

On Thursday, to celebrate my book being officially launched that day, I hosted a party at PJ’s Bar and Grill in Chelsea, a rather lovely venue (frequented by Kate Moss don’tcha know).

It was all a rather camp affair with pink and blue helium balloons, an obscene amount of scrummy canapés, Cherry Lambrini and the most amazing book themed cupcakes (check out www.crumbelina.com)

I spent most of the evening darting around like a rabbit caught in the headlights, not managing to keep up a coherent conversation with anyone, but, still, everyone appeared to be having fun.

I fear my haphazard speech, conducted as I swayed, slightly drunk, on top of a chair, was reminiscent of Bridget Jones. Indeed, as I stuttered and stammered I was continually heckled - BY MY MUM.

“Charlotte, SPEAK UP, you need to PROJECT…”

“Yes Mum. Now if I could just get a bloody word out!!!”

Then after reeling off a list of thank yous that would put an Oscar winner to shame I actually forgot to thank my beau and was forced to leap back on to the chair to make my panicked apologies. Doh.

The partygoers included James and Kimberly from The Apprentice who not only prompted much excitement from the other guests but were thoroughly charming to boot.

The only dampener came courtesy of one individual who was heard boasting that he didn’t know me and would be sticking his free copy of my book on eBay the next day – how RUDE! Unfortunately for him he unwittingly made this comment to my boyfriend.

All in all, it seemed a good time was had by most and I felt thoroughly chuffed that such a lovely group of my friends and family were there to celebrate with me.

Now, if you’ll just excuse me, I need to take a peek at Amazon again…

To see more pics from the party please follow this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42097172@N04/sets/72157622215372424/

A word on our sponsors…

I’d like to thank the following for ensuring the party was so fun-packed:

Headline Publishing www.headline.co.uk

PJ’s Bar and Grill www.pjsbarandgrill.co.uk/

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