#aliharris

[smiley-mimii-blog-blog]

You know you were reading a great book when turning the last page feels like giving up a part of your soul... #aliharris #writteninthestars #bookstagram #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge #bookcover (à Marrakesh, Morocco)

[monpetitpoison-blog]

Trecho de 'o primeiro último beijo' de #aliharris 》"Amar alguém significa saber que você não vai ser feliz o tempo todo, que ninguém pode fazê - lá feliz o tempo todo. Essa é uma expectativa irreal." #MonPetitPoison #Leituras #Livros #LendoAgora

[gliocchidifuoco]

Sareste così gentili da farmi un favore? Oggi infrangete una regola, fate qualcosa di folle, assaporate l'attimo. Aprite il cuore. Un po di più. Amate con tutti voi stessi, amate ancora di più. Non temete di alzarvi e gridarlo, di farvi sentire da tutti. Gridate TI AMO. Fatelo come si deve. Fatelo come l'amore si merita. Per me. Perchè io non l'ho fatto. E adesso non posso. Tutto qui.

Ali Harris

[aliharriswriter]

My Publication Day Diary

Publication day is without doubt the LOVELIEST part of the publishing process. It is the culmination of so many months of hard work, when going out and talking to real people takes precedence over sitting in front of a screen and writing about fictional ones.

Here’s how I spent my day: 

PAPERBACK 'n‘ POLISH

I always get my nails done – usually to compliment my book cover. Well, I can’t have chipped nails when holding up a gorgeous copy of my book now can I? Priorities, people! 

SHOP!

On the subject of priorities, shopping is definitely up there as one of mine. But on this day it’s a particular, rather personal type of shopping I like to do… It’s a little ritual of mine to head to the nearest WH Smiths/Waterstones I can find in central London and seek out a copy of my latest book so I can buy it and send it on its way in the world (sometimes with mixed results!). Last year I had a bit of a comedy JR Hartley moment in Waterstones Piccadilly (I’m showing my age now – for those under 30s amongst you I’m referring to a very old Yellow Pages advert!) I went up to the counter and excitedly asked the bookseller for a copy of The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris, only to be told they didn’t have any in stock and that the nearest shop that stocked it was Huddersfield! Talk about having my book bubble burst! Luckily, this year my blushes were saved and I found Written in the Stars on the shelves in Waterstones Charing Cross. Look how proud I am (and look how nice my nails look!)

PROSECCO PIT STOP

After all that exhausting pampering and shopping it’s time to meet my husband for a celebratory glass (or two) of something bubbly. It’s a hard life!

  TIME FOR SOME ACTUAL WORK (sigh)

It’s time for a visit to my lovely publishers Simon & Schuster to sign some copies of my book and answer some questions for a lovely podcast on the fabulous www.booksandthecity.co.uk. Check out my attractive book signing face!

PARTY TIME

Exhausted after my day I wearily hop/leap into a cab and head to the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, where my book launch party is being held at the glamorous Red Bar. I just have time for a swift change and a final scribble of my speech before the guests arrive. It was so lovely to see so many friendly faces. There were friends & family...

My sister Jo, best friend Ashling and sis-in-law Aime.

The gorgeous SJV (aka @Booksminx) with my lovely friends Dickon and Nick.

Some author chums who came along to support me (and partake in a glass of prosecco or seven!)

Hannah Beckerman, Rebecca Chance and Paige Toon.

The incredible publishing team at S&S...

Lizzy Kremer, Clare Hey and Jo Dickinson, Isabelle Broom from Heat Magazine and Harriet Moore.

...and a rather special book blogger guest of honour! 

Me and Bronagh McAteer of Handwrittengirl.com

SPEECH!

I knew I wanted to thank a few people personally and after slightly freaking out at the prospect of giving an actual speech in public, I decided I needed a little gimmick to help me. So earlier in the day I bought some fluorescent stars from Rymans (no expense spared, ahem!) and wrote on each person's name I wanted to thank and said a few words about them. Here I am with all my special stars!

After that, well, it’s a bit of a blur to be honest. Let’s just say I headed straight back to that Prosecco pit stop and stayed there for several hours. Well, I only have one book a year, right? Although after the lovely day I had ALMOST convinced myself I could try writing two….

....then I sobered up!

Ali x

[firstlastkissblog]

The First Last Kiss Blog - Introduction by Ali Harris

Kissing: if we’re lucky we do it every day with the people we love. But how often do we really make them count? From first to last and all the thousands in between, a kiss can hold the key to everything, our hearts and souls, hopes and fears. Kisses have the power to heal, inspire and strengthen. They convey affection, understanding, pain, pleasure, love, and loss. And yet they are so easily brushed away, discarded, forgotten or faded to grey. So forget perfunctory pecks, sloppy snogs or careless cheek caresses, this a place to savour, celebrate and share your most special, life-affirming, love-affirming kisses. The type of kiss where you each left an imprint of your heart on the other person’s lips: an eternal kiss.

Tell us about your kiss, by submitting your kiss to this blog - Just click http://www.firstlastkiss.co.uk/submit and add a photo and a description as to why this particular kiss meant so much to you.