22 Scars is doing well. Every week that passes brings a trickle of new sales (mostly digital), and I’m starting to connect with my audience on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) more than I ever have before. (Okay, some unknown person bought and then returned a digital copy – not sure how that even works, but whatever.)

Nonetheless, there’s a still a strong feeling of working in obscurity, of knowing that really, the vast, vast majority of people in the world not only don’t know who you are, but don’t even know you exist. Even if they might be interested in your work, it’s never going to cross their path. It takes time.

So imagine my surprise when I open Twitter one morning this week to find the following images in my timeline:

I imagine myself doing a cartoon double-take. Hang on – isn’t that my book? Like, an actual, print copy of which someone whom I’ve never met has taken photos, and rather beautiful ones at that? What’s going on here?

It turns out that one of the winners of my recent Goodreads giveaway was rather taken by the title, cover and subject matter. One out of 900 people who requested a copy. Anyone else could have received it, but instead, it turned out to be someone who, apparently, really, really likes it. Like, a lot.

And I couldn’t be more flattered.

Looking through her Instagram timeline, I noticed similar shots of other authors’ books, including Stephen King, Cornelia Funke and Lev Grossman. What a company to be a part of! I wasn’t expecting to have much of a fanbase for some time (I don’t think I was ever expecting much of a fan base at all, for that matter), but to have someone not only like the book but showcase it so beautifully is really more than I could have ever imagined or hoped for.

So thank you, A., for taking the time to take such wonderful photos of my work, and for reaching out and letting me know how much it means to you. I hope you know how much it means to me, too.

Thank you!