COUNTDOWN – 2 DAYS TO GO UNTIL 60 POSTCARDS IS RELEASED!
Hello all!
Ok so here we are – under two days (probably one by the time you read this!) and the book will be out there. It seems like it was only yesterday that I began to write the first chapter, ‘Once upon a time….’. I jest – it doesn’t start like that. Far too original. Actually, I think when I started the book, I wrote some of the last chapter before anything else. Welllll, I always knew I was a bit backwards. Ha.
‘How are you feeling?’ many people are asking me. Now, I’ve always been honest with you and I promise that will never change. I feel quite sick with nerves (I can’t seem to pin down why). I am excited to see it on book shelves but, ultimately, I am extremely sad that I can’t pick up the phone to Mum or give her a hug and tell her what is happening. Especially because it is all for her. Still, as the family keep reminding me – I must keep on the positive path. They are absolutely right – the show must go on.
As you know, we have kicked off the latest project, #Team60Postcards which I launched in my last blog post. I have been moved, inspired and hugely entertained by some of the incredible responses received. I did say that I would select a few to put on here……
#Team60Postcards
Given the amount of great ones, I have actually gone a step further and created a page of its own on the website which you can check out here and I will continue to update it as more come in. Please keep spreading the word!
The Collaboration with PS Print Studio
(Trade mentions: The Bookseller, Mobile Entertainment)
I have made a few hints, previously, about a secret project. Guess what it is about? Errrrr – postcards! SHOCKER. Remember I told you about PS Postcards in a previous post? Well the ever-developing, exciting app company are now called PS Print Studio and we are joining forces to do something a little different, but very apt indeed. It was through the power of twitter that we crossed paths – a simple tweet about coffee of all things! But then it didn’t take long from email exchanges and meeting in person to realise that we shared a strong passion for communicating with people – especially through postcards.
So – how will the collaboration work?
“An end-page in the back of the book encourages the reader to redeem a free code using the Ps Print Studio app, whereby they can digitally choose from one of many specially designed, 60 Postcard-branded postcards, to be physically sent to someone special. “
A free postcard for the book reader? Perfect!
Here are three of the nine designs that you will see on the app:
I am super excited that Simon and Schuster and PS Print Studio have created this idea and I am so proud to see 60 Postcards as part of their gallery.
Download the app here and have a look at what it’s all about. (You can follow them on twitter, too) Disclaimer: by the time you finish the book you will be addicted! So much fun!
I guess the next time we speak will be after the publication date. So, so strange! I really hope you enjoy the book and I also hope you blog readers realise how big a part you played in this all happening. I haven’t forgotten you in the acknowledgements ;).
A whole lot of love,
Rachael xxx
PS 60 Postcards mentions to look out for in the next two weeks:
- Foyles blog
- Daily Mail (Femail)
- Guardian Family
- Woman’s Own
- Glamour
I will make sure to update FB and Twitter as things comes out….
Launch drinks:
6th March – Wimborne, Dorset – Gullivers Book shop (open event) Allenbourn staff, parents and students – 6-6.30pm. Everyone else from 6.30pm!
13th March – King Cross Renaissance (private event)
60 POSTCARDS 
My sister has given me the book to read before her. To check if she can read it and whether she can cope. She shared a post on Facebook and the next day the book arrived on her doorstep from a very good friend. I am half way through and I had to contact you because reading this is like a mirror image of myself and my family. It is so alike it is scary. We too lost our mum on 18th June 2011.47 days from diagnosis to the end. Bile duct/ pancreatic cancer that spread and ravaged with such venom. My mum was diagnosed on 3rd May and turned 58 the day before. I am the eldest of three, I too lived in London at the time she became unwell and did the whole travelling thing back and forth from swindon (hometown) to London I too am the crazy one in my family and clumsy ( broke my toe the other week!!!, second time I’ve done that), my brother ( the youngest) had a wedding arranged for the October in Cyprus and we had to endure that without her. We did the race for life the year after she was taken from us. Your story mirrors mine. I am at a loss as to what to say, save for you are inspiring me. I cried when I started reading the book and it was so painful but comforting at the same time. I am nearly three years in and I feel the same as I did then, apart from probably even angrier. I struggle and try to put on a brave front. Luckily for me I had a child when my mum was taken and now I have another one and they keep me sane and keep me alive. I don’t know you and I don’t know your mum but she would be very proud of you and what you have achieved. Your behaviour is touching people all over the world. You have made me self analyse a lot of my thoughts and more importantly my thoughts on how to move on and what to do to try and move on. At the time I thought of writing my thoughts down and now I have decided that I will. It may or may not help but it is because if your book that I have started this thought process. I am looking forward to reading the remainder of the book. I verge from angry to sad and feel very lonely, despite family. I adored my mum and cannot accept that I will never see her, touch her or hear her voice again for as long as I continue to live. My heart had been broken in two and it will never be mended. The book shows that the human spirit is a wonderful thing and people will reach out to each other in the most unusual ways. Strangers connected by empathy or by a similar experience. Whatever it is, it is a force for good. I wish you every success and would have loved to have had someone like you in my life at its lowest point. A real inspiration. Best wishes with everything that you do in the future, I wish you good luck, good health, happiness, success but most of all I wish you peace within your heart.
Hi Rachel, I’ve just read your interview on Glamour.
You’re lovely and so inspirational! Maybe your story will help a friend of mine suffering from a loss.
I know another beautiful project that involves postcards, have you ever heard about Postsecrets? Check it out 🙂
Wish you all the best, Silvia
Chadders,
I saw your article in the Guardian, what a fantastic achievement. This is brilliant Rachael. Have a wonderful evening at the launch in Wimborne. Viv would have loved all this!
When you get a chance come and see the developments at Victoria Education Centre.
I wish you the very best.
Simon (Mr. B to you!)
Hi Rachael, I have just read an article about the tribute you paid to your through 60 postcards, I was very moved as I lost my mum very suddenly when she had a heart attack, my world changed from that day and has never been the same. Also I found it very difficult to talk about the loss and as you mention in your article it is a taboo subject, it has taken me a long time to speak about my mum freely without overwhelming grief and look forward to buying your book and hopefully this will take you to another exciting chapter in your life, good luck xx
I have read your book cover to cover in 2 days. What an emotional roller coaster. Wow.
I lost my mum in September 2013 just 2 weeks after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. In your book you have managed to express everything I am feeling. I have beeb writing a blog (nothing as amazing as yours) as somewhere to vent how I feel but its ao hard to verbalise it. You manage to do this with respect, elegance and witt so thank you for that.
On 25th of this month it would have been mums 55th birthday and the following day will mark 6 months from when she passed away with mothers day a few day after. The postcard I recieved with my book has giving me a great way to honour her and to spread the powerful tribute to your wonderful mum. I will be writing my postcard and tying to a balloon and seeing where it goes. It will be great to see if I get a response.
Thank you so much. You are helping my family in more ways than you know.
Congratulations Rachel. what an achievement. I will definitely be buying the book. I am so happy for your that you have had the guts to take such a tragic situation and make something so positive come of it and have been kind enough to share it with us all. I wish you every luck and success. Now I have to think who on earth to send my last postcard to… 😉
Dear Rachel,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, I you have my sincerest condolences.
If I was still living in the south I would have absolutely joined you in Gullivers for your launch. I think your book sounds brilliant.
Take care, good luck with everything.
Laura x
Hi Rachael
Got your book on Saturday morning and can’t put it down!
All sorts of emotions, tears, laughter, hurt, joy… Sooooo love reading your story and feel part of it!
What a fantastic tribute to a dearly missed mum and friend – she’s looking down and saying ‘go girl!!!’
With all our love
The Hornby gang xxx
Just lost half my weekend after seeing your article in the Daily Mail on Friday and ended up reading this blog!
Everyone grieves differently but I identified with your words in that article so strongly, My Father died in 2007 when I was 24 and an unexpected consequence of that was having to deal with peoples reactions – the “avoiders” were the ones I felt were the ones most hard to deal with.
And so Friday morning (at work – naughty!) I started reading your blog. After a few posts I texted my twin sister “Google 60 Postcards. Now”. Within 10 minutes I had a reply “Just got the Kindle book. Crying reading the summary”. So a fair few glasses of wine, cups of tea and slices of cake later I’m up to date!
You’ve touched both of our hearts. I look forward to more blog posts in the future and reading the book which I brought yesterday too!
Just read the article in Saturday’s Guardian….
Amazing story and so exciting to read what has developed for you from the initial idea! I love visiting new places and I love writing postcards!
Well done Rachel on the publication of your book. Great stuff. David
Hi Rachel, I lost my mother 334 weeks ago,the first thing I was told by someone is “oh!you’re an orphan now!” My mother told my brother and I that she was ill on a beautiful September morning at 12.30, and she went from us at 6.45 that evening, it’s hard, speak to her all the time, I am blessed that my mother comes to me in dreams,and talks to me, I can also smell her perfume(chanel no5) regularly, she is always there for you, I wish I could tell you it gets easier,but,it doesn’t. I am sure you know that the things you can only tell your mother,you still do,and get the answers. Live your life,be grateful for the time you had with her, and keep on talking to her.xjennifer
Rachael I read about you and your lovely mum in DM and it really touched me when I read about the postcards. Unfortunately I know how you feel, my lovely dad died in April less than a month after being told he had stomach cancer. He died the day after being told it was in his liver and terminal. After watching a loved one die there’s just a huge void in your lives. But I think your story is inspirational, good luck with the book which I shall be buying.
Frantically finishing a great book at a great pace so as to be able to begin 60 Postcards on release day. Am very excited too and I am sure it will be a great success and someone in the heavens is one mighty proud mum I have no doubt about that at all x