This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
by Cressida McLaughlin
I don’t often get to go to author launches in my hometown of Norwich, even though it’s a wonderful, and very bookish, city. So when I found out that Heidi Swain was having her book launch around 20 minutes from me, not to mention all the great things I’d heard about her debut novel, The Cherry Tree Café, I jumped at the chance to go.
Arts Desire is a wonderful combination of crafts and cake – an arts shop, craft lounge and café in Norwich’s Golden Triangle. It was the perfect venue for Heidi’s launch, and quite difficult not to leave at the end with a whole bagful of crafty things. A kit to make a felt sheep particularly caught my eye, and I might well need a return trip.
Having ‘met’ Heidi on social media, it was lovely to finally meet her in real life, and to hear about her journey to publication. Her publishers, Simon and Schuster, had sent her a beautiful cake designed as the cover of her book, and Heidi complimented this with cherry-topped cupcakes. 
Along with her friends and family, and some other Norwich writerly types, I toasted her success, and wished her well with the book. It was a really lovely afternoon, and I can’t wait to get stuck into The Cherry Tree Café. From what I’ve heard, it’ll be as sweet and as delicious as those cupcakes! Thanks so much for inviting Novelicious, Heidi!
The Cherry Tree Café by Heidi Swain is out now.