It's all very well sitting down and writing a book but it doesn't really prepare you for the fact that one day your words are going to be published. The cover is super-important to a novel's success. This new book has a colourful, lively cover that hints at the japes within. 

It's peculiar being out of the UK on publication day. Today's the day What Would Mary Berry Do? hits the bookshops (and the book sites) but I'm in Italy, sitting by a pool and staring down yet another gelato. This book is a favourite of mine. My editor's brief was also a challenge: she wanted a story about a happy family that wasn't boring. Is it rude to laugh at your own jokes? If so, I was rude all the time while writing WWMBD? I hope Readers enjoy  - spreading a little happiness and causing a few tea-coming-out-of-your-nose guffaws are its only ambitions.

One of the most important cogs in the machine of a novelist's life is an agent. The relationship and trust between writer and agent colours everything. Which is why I'm so delighted to be the latest addition to Charlotte Robertson's sparkling list at United Agents. She's clever, both deadly serious and guffawingly funny, and I feel hugely inspired by her. 

I'm beginning to think I should send Juliet Ashton to live in Germany. Ein Letzer Brief Von Dir has risen to number 14 in the charts over there. Danke, Deutschland.

The Germans have sent me a rather lovely Valentine's gift in the shape of my novel, Ein Letzer Brief Von Dir, sitting happily at number 20 in the German charts. 

The Valentine's Card, published in the UK in 2013, is about to hit German book shops. The German publishers Rowolt Verlag GMBH have called it Ein Letzer Brief von dir, a nicely poignant title which translates as A Last Letter from You and cleverly doesn't tie it to a one-day event, which proved a marketing challenge here in the UK. Are we misjudging the Germans? Not noted for their love of romance, this is the second novel of mine they've picked up; in between all that sauerkraut and shoring up the EU, they evidently make the time to read romcoms. And I, for one, applaud that. 

Well, that's that. The manuscript for my next novel has not only been handed in, it's been accepted. Soon there'll be a cover and a blurb, but for now all I have is a vague July/August publication date. What Would Mary Berry Do? will be my first novel writing as Claire Sandy, and it's a warm, funny, poignant story of one woman's journey towards self expression via the medium of cake. I'm already on Twitter (@MaryBerryWisdom) so join in the fun if you're so inclined.

Today brings the publication of a new book and the debut of a new persona. My latest novel, The Valentine's Card, is published under the pseudonym Juliet Ashton. Juliet, although she looks, sounds, eats and laughs just like me, writes slightly differently to Bernadette Strachan. There's still plenty of rom and a dash of com but the story is thoughtful with a dark underside. I'm very proud of this book, which begins with a death, despite the dewy eyed title, and goes on to explore love in all its guises: friends; family; even foes. Ultimately, it's redemptive and optimistic and I hope it finds a niche on readers' shelves.  read more

Why should you listen to me when I say that About Bill, the musical I wrote with my husband is good? I would say that, wouldn't I? Hang on a moment, though. I rarely say that about my own work: I prefer to let other people eulogise/rip it to shreds. This piece is different. I love it. Writing it was a joy, watching Kim Ismay rehearse it was exhilarating, and I'm even enjoying the near-terminal case of the collywobbles the first night is causing in my innards. It's a one-woman show about one man; the eponymous Bill, a jazz trumpeter who carouses through the twentieth century, touching each of the characters with his charisma, his selfishness, his need. It's funny and it's sad and the tunes are cracking. Even if I do say so myself. Book now (or don't, I'm not here to bully you) for the run at the Landor Theatre, 15 - 20 November.  read more