Today is the Jewish New Year.  Happy Rosh Hashanah to all my Jewish friends, and to me and my family.  This time of year has always felt like the beginning of a new year to me, much more so than, say, January, which usually feels like the middle of a long winter slog.  But the school year starts in September, and my life has always been circumscribed by the academic calendar, and so having a holiday to underline it all has always felt right.

I have high hopes for this year. I’m a bit afraid to say it all out loud just in case my grandmother’s evil eye worries are true.  But between you and me, there’s a lot to look forward to.
    *First and foremost, of course, is the launch of my new novel, A Clash of Innocents.  Plans for the launch event are well underway, and promotional activities are also starting up.  There will be a blog tour full of interesting discussions and general writerly chat.  Which reminds me…..ASK ME A QUESTION. I DARE YOU, and win a free signed copy.  Plus, there will be magazine articles, at least one radio interview, hopefully lots of visits to book clubs.
     * In the midst of all this, I’m producing through CurvingRoad a portion of a new London pop-up theatre event called Theatre Souk.  It runs from 15 September – 9 October.  More on that later this week.
     * A December retreat to my beloved Anam Cara in Ireland.
     * A possible production of my own play in January or February…again, stay tuned.
     * A charity/ book signing tour to Cambodia and Thailand in February or early March!!
And undoubtedly, all sorts of other unforeseen things that any year might throw at me.  But for now, I need to focus on today, which means, first and foremost, spending the holiday with my family, and then  the book launch and Theatre Souk. 

     With all this looking ahead, it’s also good to take a look in the “rear-view mirror” so to speak, to remember where I’ve been.  I just finished reading a book that is helping me do just that.  This Wheel’s on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of The Band  was written over ten years ago, but my niece just gave it to me this summer.  I didn’t know Levon Helm had written this book, nor did I know the full story (at least from his point of view) of The Band’s history.  The Band was always my favourite.  Even with all the other rock n roll that I’ve loved over the years, it has always been the music from Big Pink that has stayed in my heart.  But it’s a sad story and goes the usual route from teenage dreams to adult hubris and greed.  I loved this book and all of Levon’s wild stories and name dropping.  But the best is the depiction of how all that great music got written and recorded.  If you’re an old rocker like me ( at heart) you can’t go wrong.  And with this crazy new year ahead of me, the story of The Band and their music will help keep me grounded.  Now here’s some for you……
Ps People have asked how the Hyde Park Race went.  Thanks for asking.  It was wonderful. 15,000 women running, and I made it around in about 34 minutes, which is damn good for an old lady like me.