I’m delighted to be part of the launch celebrations for Fleur Smithwick’s book ‘How to Make a Friend‘ which was published in paperback by Black Swan on 8th October 2015. It is also available as an ebook.

The Story

As a lonely child, Alice found comfort the same way so many others do – she invented a friend. Sam was always there when she needed him, until one day… he wasn’t.

Now, Alice has a happy, normal life; she has a handful of close friends and a career as a photographer.

But when a tragic accident shatters the world Alice has constructed, the sense of isolation that haunted her in childhood returns. And with it, so does Sam.

To Alice, he looks and feels like a real person, but how can that be?

And who will decide when it is time for him to leave again?

Praise for How to Make a Friend:

‘An intriguing and extremely sinister debut’ – Woman&Home

‘An absolute must-read’ – OK!

‘An original idea, cleverly executed’ – Sunday Mirror

‘A great winter read’ – Woman’s Own

‘A fascinating story about the power of the mind’ – IMAGE

‘A tense, intriguing and must-read debut’ – Irish Country Magazine

As part of her paperback book launch celebrations, Fleur has provided me with a list of her five favourite and most read childhood and teenage books. She says they are her ‘comfort books’:

‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’ by CS Lewis

‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte

‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen

‘These Old Shades’ by Georgette Heyer

‘Gone With the Wind’ by Margaret Mitchell

I’ve read four of Fleur’s choices and I have to agree that they are amazing.

FLEUR SMITHWICK was brought up in London and studied French Literature & Language at Southampton University. She worked in various jobs, before becoming a full-time writer. As well as novels, Fleur writes short stories and has won The Writers’ Village and Segora competitions. She lives in Richmond with her husband and two children.

Find her on Twitter: @FleurSmithwick

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Harwood • SHarwood@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk • 020 8231 6738 • @SarahHarwood_

There are some other lovely blogs taking place too so you might want to have a look.