A Wild and True Relation

of Book Launches and Birthday Parties

When I mentioned that my next letter would be a little late, I’d imagined it would be a few days, not a few weeks. And yet here I am, after an unintentional hiatus, and this is the first moment I’ve had to write to you all. On February 2^nd A Wild and True Relation, my incredible sisters newest novel, was released into the world. Virago (the publishers) describe A Wild and True Relation as, ‘A gripping feminist adventure story of smuggling and myth-making’, while the late great Hilary Mantel said ‘This book is a rarity – a novel as remarkable for the vigour of the storytelling as for its literary ambition. Kim Sherwood is a writer of capacity, potency and sophistication’.

I have lived with this book, with every twist and turn it has taken, since Kim first put pen to paper and began to conjure the lives of Tom, Molly, and Grace. I have loved this book deeply, like an old friend, knowing it intimately. Until very recently, it has been a private thing, something our family shared. Then step by step, with the help of the incredible team at Virago, and support by writers like Mantel, it has emerged into the world. That is where this letter begins. It will end with a 60^th Birthday.

February 2^nd, Central London

The Day A Wild and True Relation is released

Kim, Nick, and I spent the day visiting bookshops in Central London, starting at Goldsboro Books on Cecil Court, and taking in Waterstones Trafalgar Square, Waterstones Piccadilly, Foyles, and Hatchards. Each bookshop welcomed Kim with enthusiasm and interest, and in each one we found A Wild and True Relation in pride of place, be it in the window or the eloquently named curve at Piccadilly where I bought my copy of the book. I can’t properly describe the joy I get seeing my sister’s novels in bookshops, or the pleasure I find in buying myself a copy. It is a feeling so deep it is beyond words.

Waterstones Trafalgar Square, Goldsboro Books, and Waterstones Piccadilly

February 2^nd, Dr Johnsons House, London

The Night A Wild and True Relation is released

Dr Johnson wrote the Dictionary. He also supported women writers, painters, and thinkers. He lived in a beautiful house on Gough Square in London. He, and some of the remarkable women to whom he was a friend feature in A Wild and True Relation. Where better then to launch the book. When we arrived at Dr Johnsons House the windows were brightly lit against the twilight sky, inviting us in. Kim had planned the evening to perfection, a true literary salon with themed colour changing cocktails, readings from the novel and live music composed specially for the book. Listening to Molly’s Theme brought tears to my eyes, the extraordinary composition somehow encompassing a character I have loved for so long.

Under the watchful eye of Dr Johnson

\Friends, family, and fans of Kim’s incredible writing filled the room, happily sitting on the carpeted floors for story time, and chatting over Devonshire tea and fudge as the night drew to a close. It was a book launch like to no other, and one worthy not only of the novel, but of the years Kim spent researching and writing every word.

A Warm Welcomed at Dr Johnsons House

February 3^rd- February 6^th, London, Wiltshire, Devon

Taking the book to meet the sea and starting the birthday celebrations in earnest

After visiting more bookshops in London, we headed Southwest. 10 years ago, when turning 50 Kim asked our Mum what she wanted for her birthday. Her answer, A Wild and True Relation. Whether the book was ten years late for Mums 50^th or ten days early for her 60^th is up for debate, but either way it is the best gift Kim could ever have given. And yet, we wanted to add to the joy so had come up with a birthday surprise. After spending a wonderful night at our Aunty Sarah’s, we headed off, directing Mum as she drove without any idea of where we were headed.

Lympstone Manor

Lympstone Manor on the river Ex is a Michelin star restaurant run by one of Mums favourite chefs, the incredible Michael Caines. We had a table booked and surprised Mum with their incredible lunch menu as the sun slowly set into the river. Every morsel of food was delicious, and every corner of the manor gorgeous. It was a meal and a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.

Eating at Lympstone Manor

That night we stayed in Dartmouth, opposite St Saviours church and a few doors down from where one of the Kim’s characters’ lives in A Wild and True Relation. We awoke to gulls calling and spent the day introducing the book to Dartmouth, to the sea, to the Totnes Guildhall and to the Kingsbridge Estuary, all important locations in the novel. At each town Kim was once again welcomed by thrilled booksellers.

We even got to share the book with Winnie the Pooh

Bookshops are special places, and booksellers are wonderful people. The booksellers joy at choosing a Wild or a True badge, at discovering that the book is set in their town, at getting to chat with Kim about the beautiful cover, her writing and her process is something I adore witnessing. Knowing the book will go from their hands to the hands of new readers is a thrill.

Are you Wild or True (or both!)?

February 7^th- February 12^th, Cornwall

Returning home and turning 60

Upon returning home to Cornwall, we visited a few more bookshops, including the aptly named Edge of the World, and even went to lunch at Jamaica Inn where Daphne du Maurier set her famous novel. Daphne du Maurier is one of the women whose writing paved the way for A Wild and True Relation, a soul ancestor and inspiration to my sister. We brought the book to lunch and introduced it to the smugglers bar.

At Jamaica Inn

And then came February 12^th, with birthday pressies and flowers, and a gathering of beloved friends at The Tinners Arms, all there to celebrate my remarkable mother. When I look at my life, my art, my dreams, there isn’t a piece of me that wasn’t woven by my mother’s nurture, love, and magic. She is my guiding light, the hand I hold, my voice I want to hear in good moments and bad. She is the greatest women I have ever met. Celebrating her birthday was a joyous day, filled with blue skies, sunshine and golden cake.

Celebrating in Style

And so, I will end this (extra long) letter here, where our family’s book and birthday adventures ended. Welcome to the world A Wild and True Relation, and happy 60^th Mum, I love you.