On 3 August 2023 at 6:00 PM Australia / 9:00 AM UK, bookshops around Great Britain opened their doors for a day of trade, but this morning, for the first time, their stock included pristine copies of HER MAJESTY’S LEAGUE OF REMARKABLE YOUNG LADIES, thus fulfilling one little writer’s dream.
That little writer would be ME!
A Memorable Pub Day
The day started (in the wee hours) with me, grinning widely as I listened to MP3 files of two actors with delightful English accents performing the prologue of my book. What a thrill to hear my characters come to life! A flipping audiobook will soon be in production. Somebody pinch me!
Celebratory meals were served to my dogs, who had steak with their breakfast kibble, while my hubby, my writing buddy and I enjoyed a champagne lunch at my favourite restaurant. We toasted the Queen (Victoria) and girl-geniuses everywhere. Long may they tinker!
Messages dropped in all day, and I basked in a lot of love. Friends on three continents chimed in with their best wishes and excitement. There were tweets from my agent in London, and several much appreciated messages from the publishing team in south-west England. The Sydney-based publicity person at Scholastic AU got in touch to say she’d be looking after the book next year.
Pub Day finished with an excellent surprise: a long awaited letter (and a refund – Yee Haw!) arrived from the British tax office. I’ll spare you the boring, bureaucratic, red-tapey saga; suffice it to say the cheque felt like a gift after so long. The relief is immense, as it suggests my paperwork (filed almost 20 months ago) has finally been stamped Approved. (Mind you, I’m knocking on wood, offering up prayers, and waving a smouldering smudge stick as I type this.)
Pub Day Emotions
It’s as if finally – after all this time, the whistle’s blaring, the engines are puffing, and Winifred Weatherby and her remarkable colleagues are pulling out of the train station!
Excitement, appreciation, satisfaction, anticipation, pride, nerves, and relief – I felt the full monty of feels on Pub Day. And I know there’s more to come. Bring it on, I say! I’m loving this ride.
Welcome to the World, Winifred Weatherby!
Wait – There’s More!
Friends in America told me they were able to order Her Majesty’s League of Remarkable Young Ladies online. This was a welcome discovery, as I thought it wouldn’t be available in the US for a while. I’m not sure what it means (or if I should worry), but I’m glad the people who want it can get it. If that’s you, I’m including links to online retailers, but feel free to wait and buy it from your local indie bookshop!
If you’re in the UK, you can find it HERE.
If you’re in the US, you can find it HERE.
If you’re in Australia, you can order it HERE.
Hop on the Blog Tour Train
Don’t miss Her Majesty’s League of Remarkable Young Ladies Blog Tour!
7 – 11 August 2023 (UK Time) – Hope to see you on social media! Give us a wave, a like, and a RT!
Alison D. Stegert 
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