Why I Love Being an Author: The Christmas Party

Being an author has LOADS of advantages.  I'm my own boss.  I can do as much or as little as I like, I spend my days making stuff up, and get to work with the most amazing people.  I want to expand a little on this last point, because one of the best events of the year is just around the corner, and it's all to do with people.

That's right, its the Office Christmas Party.  Now, I work at home, on my own.  So my office Christmas party would be a little bit lonely if it wasn't for my lovely publishers in London.  Hachette Children's Books and my new publishers Nosy Crow are both throwing parties for their staff, authors and illustrators.  And going down to London for a bit of glitz is a real highlight for me.  

For a start, I get to see the all the guys who help make my books a success.  The editors, designers, marketing and sales people, and the bigwigs too. They are, without exception, truly lovely people. So warm, appreciative and generally good hearted. (Are you feeling the lurve?).  But, most amazingly, I also get to meet some of my all time heros.  Authors and illustrators that my children have grown up with.  People that have entertained, inspired and motivated me to do what I do.  And the nicest thing of all... is that they are all SO lovely, so down to earth and so easy to be with!!  

Many of us have become genuine friends. We support and entertain each other via Facebook and Twitter, while we shiver in our freezing offices, creating a community of like-minded people which feels almost as good as working in a proper office together.  

And that's just one of the reasons I love being an Author.

So thank you to the guys at Hachette, and Nosy Crow.  Roll on the Office Party!