'I'm a viral author but I can't quit my job'
"People do come up to me and ask if I am going to give up my job now and I'm like 'Well no, not really'," said Mrs Ball, who previously taught in Suffolk and now works at the University of Essex."It is still very difficult for a small author to get out there. "Obviously, if you look at the 25 million views on the post, if everyone had bought a book then that would have been amazing."I've sent emails to some book shops [asking them to stock my books] but I still haven't got anywhere."
She said the attention had helped her sell "a few hundred" books, with some going to countries around the world.Among them was an American fan who requested signed copies, said Mrs Ball."It's really encouraged me to keep going with the writing and I have almost finished my third book," she said."Going viral has helped to get me out there, so maybe it will help have an impact in the future and I can get bigger and maybe sell more books."Quite a few smaller authors have told me that I have inspired them to keep going, so that was really nice."
Mrs Ball said not all of the social media reaction had been positive."You do get the odd sort of negative comment, but I think they're probably just trolls, so I don't take that seriously," Mrs Ball said."There was one comment on Instagram, where someone said my book sucked but then on the positive side loads of people defended me, which was really sweet."
Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
23 minutes ago
- Metro
Star of Amazon Prime's most violent series shares emotional post ahead of finale
Antony Starr has bid an emotional farewell to Homelander ahead of the fifth and final season of the Boys. The hit Amazon Prime Video series first hit our screens in 2019, introducing us to the abusive, bloodsoaked and brutal superheroes – aka Supes – working for a powerful company, and the gang of vigilantes hoping to bring them down. Jack Quaid, Jessie T Usher, Karl Urban, Erin Moriarty, Chace Crawford, Laz Alonso and Simon Pegg are also among the star-studded cast. The show became a huge hit and landed a string of Emmy nominations, spawning spin-off series Gen V, which focuses on young Supes attending Godolkin University to hone their powers. It was previously announced that the upcoming season would be the final outing for the gang, and Antony has shared a heartfelt message on social media after production officially wrapped. Taking to Instagram with a string of photos from his time as the head of the Supes, the 49-year-old began a lengthy post: 'Ok. Been waiting a little to let things settle and try and process the end of this show. 'Difficult (for me) to put into words what an incredible ride this has been. How much life and growth has occurred. How amazing the team is. It's truly been the highlight of my career. 'When we began, I had no idea what was coming. This juggernaut left the station and never stopped. Except for that Covid moment. Oh and the strikes. That was a thing too. But apart from those two times, it never stopped, boldly making its mark on the television landscape. There's nothing else like it. It lives in its own lane. 'And at the end of the shoot, all there really is to say is – thank you. The incredible Canadian crew. The amazing production team. The insanely talented cast. 'The people at Amazon and Sony that took a chance on this insane thing (and made the great choice in casting me) and all the other people that contributed in some way, big or small, to this beautiful, complex, warped, delicious show.' 'I love this show. And I love this character. Truly,' he continued. 'I will dearly miss heading to work, knowing what we were aiming for but never knowing where we would find ourselves by the end of the day…only that we would have fun and it would be creatively rewarding in the extreme. 'This complicated character allowed the space and range to discover and push boundaries in a way I never expected and I will always be grateful for this experience. 'And of course huge gratitude to my co-parent with this twisted gem of a character – @erickripke1. We created a monster, sir. And I will miss him, and you. Til we roll out the last season. When I'll see you. 'But this creative chapter is closed , and I'll miss it, brother.' 'And finally – massive thank you to the fans. You are the life blood. Without you, we don't get to do this. And our fans are second to none. Mad love to you….and deepest respect for your taste ;),' he added. 'Okidoke people. We cooked for the last time. Can't wait to show you what we made. TIL that day, Homelander, signing off. Xo.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Right on cue, Antony's castmates and fans rushed to share sweet messages in the comments below, praising him for his efforts as the creepy villain. Karen Fukuhara, who stars as Kimiko, replied: 'What a f**king time we had. Grateful to have had this experience with you + greatly miss it already.' Starlight actress Erin agreed: 'A gift to get to watch your masterclass in acting, let alone boogie w you during it.' A-Train's Jessie penned: 'You did a damn good job as Homelander.' 'The best villain played by the best actor! You inspire me so much, looking forward to your next iconic role, we love you and we will support you forever,' fan Elsie Bunny commented. As Dynasty Reyes added: 'You are literally the best person to play Homelander. You've brought him to life in a way I thought no actor could but you just proved how amazing and talented you are! More Trending 'This is such an incredible show and cast. I love how you all were able to bring your characters to life and play them so well.' The Boys became an instant hit when it arrived on Amazon Prime Video in 2019, leaving fans reeling with gory fights, graphic deaths and an unforgettable octopus sex scene. It has not yet been confirmed when Homelander, Starlight and co will hit our screens for the final time, but season two of Gen V will be premiering on September 17, so we can get our Supe fix. View More » The Boys is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video now. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: TV fans call new sci-fi series a 'masterpiece' after just two episodes MORE: Vince McMahon claims Hulk Hogan 'wasn't racist' but 'said some racist things' MORE: WWE legend Charles Robinson rushed to hospital after animal attack
Metro
23 minutes ago
- Metro
I wore five-finger shoes to the office — and my colleagues weren't on board
Nobody could have predicted the hot girl shoe of the summer would have five fingers, but Vibram's FiveFingers are having a moment. They're basically a glove for your feet, with a separate space for every single toe. Not up your street? I'm afraid to tell you that you're falling off trend. These freaky toe shoes are designed for barefoot running enthusiasts, but more recently, they've been appearing on the feet of A-listers and attendees of New York Fashion Week. They're plastered all over social media as the must-have shoe this year, with fashion girlies even wearing them to work. So after getting hold of some, I decided to give them a whirl for my 8-5. I was initially too embarrassed to put them on, so I let a poll on my Instagram story, titled 'Should I wear Vibram five-finger shoes to the office?', make up my mind. And after the majority (71%) voted yes, I had no choice other than to be brave and slip on the controversial footwear. Getting them on took much longer than I had anticipated – around 10 minutes to slot each toe into the individual spaces – which almost made me late for work. The experience was off to a less-than-perfect start, but I got there on time after a surprisingly speedy commute — something I'm prepared to credit to the shoes' lightweight and minimalist design. That said, I felt strangely uncomfortable throughout most of the journey. At least four people checked out my toes for much longer than a glance. They couldn't look away, as if they'd never seen a girl wearing gloves on her feet. The reception for the shoes was no better from my colleagues once I arrived at the office. One called them 'creepy', another said 'toes freak me out', while a third, very unconvincingly, said, 'they look cool'. At least they all agreed the pink colour was nice. It was hard not to be self-conscious with so many strong opinions floating around. I felt shamed into taking the stairs back down for lunch, desperate to avoid the staring – or, heaven forbid, having to defend my choice of footwear – in the lift. But after taking a quick break and walking around the park, I realised two things: these shoes are actually really comfy, and the cynics are severely missing out. Those unwilling to embrace them are not just lacking comfort, but fashion taste too. At least, according to social media anyway. Influencers are desperate to get their hands (feet?) on some, including one who claimed 'they're the comfiest shoe I've ever owned'. Meanwhile, others have lamented the fact they can't find them anywhere due to the recent spike in popularity. Vibrams have been around since 2006 though, and this isn't their first shot at the limelight. Back in 2012, actress Shailene Woodley wore a pair to the Golden Globes after-party. The distinctive shoe was pictured pointing out under her floor-length black velvet dress, and sparked a similar wave of public confusion at the time. Scarlett Johansson and David Beckham have also been papped sporting them. But aside from that brief 15 minutes, they'd mainly kept a clientele of middle-aged male runners. Until now, that is. Chris Wilson, chairman of Charles Birch Ltd, which owns Vibram UK, tells me 'barefoot is back,' as I try on a pair of the shoes in its Shoreditch HQ. Despite this, he can't believe the renaissance Vibrams are experiencing. They're flying off the shelves and into the baskets of 20-something women who want to show them off online, with Chris estimating that He tells me around 70% of their purchases nowadays are from young women. And it's evident in the shop. One customer I met had travelled all the way from Milan to the London location to buy a pair, reluctantly dragging her two friends – who are yet to convert to the style – along. 'I love them,' she proclaimed in defiance. According to Chris, one of the brand's most popular styles, a ballet-like slipper, has appeared on the feet of popstars he's 'never even heard of', and he says they've sold out of their next two orders. However, even if it looks like a trend at fever pitch, barefoot footwear has been on the rise for a while. The idea behind these shoes is to mimic the experience of walking or running au naturel, while providing some kind of protection for the feet. They usually have a thin, flexible sole and a wide toe box to allow your toes to naturally spread. It started largely as trend for health-conscious consumers, but fashionistas began promoting barefoot shoes online, and more and more brands followed suit with their own spin. @egorchan4in ♬ The Weeknd come through – alisha.ﾒ૦ Balenciaga collaborated with Vibram in 2020 to create a heeled version of the shoe, later dropping a $350 3D-moulded barefoot sandal called 'The Zero', which barely covered the big toe. Maison Margiela Tabis are another controversial barefoot shoe which have boomed in popularity over the past couple of years, retailing for between £820 and £1,190 online. More Trending Featuring a split between the big toe and the other four, they resemble a cow's hoof, and are inspired by the traditional 15th-century Japanese sock of the same name designed promote balance and stability. But even though loyals have been banging the barefoot drum for the best part of two decades, not everyone is ready for this style of shoe to go mainstream — as the reactions of both my colleagues and those online will attest to. TikToker @emmahopeall shared a video wearing Vibrams on the Tube, saying that everyone was 'laughing' at them. It didn't help matters though, as commenters declared them 'terrifying' and said wearing them outside was 'diabolical.' While others had real concerns – including one who wrote: 'I'd just be scared someone will step on my toes' – for the most part, the response was trepidatious. Having felt the fear and worn them anyway however, I can safely say I'm a convert. Although I've been very much influenced to wear the viral Vibrams, not all of my workmates feel the same way. Metro's assistant opinion and first-person editor James Besanvalle was gifted a pair of Vibram's back in 2011 while working at a sports shop. 'I would never have bought them for myself,' he says. James wore them a total of 10 times to go running outdoors. The only issue? A lack of support: 'My feet were sore every time I wore them, and it felt like they were constantly separating my toes.' Sophie Laughton, Metro newsletter editor, also has strong opinions, saying: 'There's a man who I regularly see walking to the station who wears them and the sight of his little rubber toes gripping the pavement makes me gag.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Is it time for 'thigh guy summer'? The best short shorts for men amid UK heatwave MORE: Ibiza Final Boss's rise to fame shows no sign of slowing down after releasing track on Spotify MORE: What is Fawning? Gen Z's new fight, flight or freeze response Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Scottish Sun
23 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Celebrity SAS's Rudy Reyes accused of secret affair with Real Housewife behind husband's back
Phypers has denied being emotionally and physically abusive to his ex Denise Richards CHEAT SHOCK Celebrity SAS's Rudy Reyes accused of secret affair with Real Housewife behind husband's back Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELEBRITY SAS star Rudy Reyes has been accused of having an affair with Real Housewife Denise Richards by her estranged husband. Aaron Phypers, 49, filed for divorce from former Bond girl Richards, 54, last month following an explosive row. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Rudy Reyes has been accused of having an affair with Denise Richards Credit: Getty 5 Denise starred on Special Forces: World's Toughest Test in 2023 Credit: Getty 5 Aaron Phypers filed for divorce from Richards last month Credit: Getty The American businessman has now claimed he discovered Richards was cheating on him with former Marine Reyes, 53, back in April. Richards starred with Reyes in the third series of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test in 2023. The military instructor split from his gun instructor girlfriend Jade Struck, 25, earlier this year. In an interview with The Mail, Phypers said Richards had promised to break things off with Reyes, only to hook up with him the following month in a California hotel. That alleged rendezvous was the basis for their July showdown that signalled the end of their marriage. READ MORE ON CELEBRITY SAS marching orders Celebrity SAS star axed after 'lying & cheating' on show - as another quits Phypers said: "I'm broken-hearted and f***ing tired. Really, she's f***ed me up. "We've been together nine years and for her to do that and to lie to me consistently - I'm totally tired and drained." He said the relationship had been rocky for some time, aggravated by six house moves over the course of their relationship and dozens of pets under their care. He said Richards owned 58 dogs, two pot-bellied pigs, and an 'incontinent' Sphinx cat. The disgruntled ex also accused Richards of being addicted to vicodin and alcohol. But the breaking point came when Phypers said he discovered 107 messages between Richards and Reyes, some of which detailed hotel meet ups and included intimate photos. Furious TV bosses yell at us for pushing celebs too hard, admits Rudy Reyes as he reveals reason why NONE of the stars would pass day 1 of SAS training He told the publication: "I just had this feeling that something was off because her behavior had changed – she was being kind of cool to me. "I opened her phone – we both know each other's passwords - so I opened it up and then I went to her deleted texts and there were 107 of them between her and this guy. "I went through them and it just broke my heart." Following Phypers and Richards' row in July, the actress filed a lawsuit accusing him of physical and verbal abuse, including leaving her with a black eye. Phypers has vehemently denied the claims, telling US Weekly, "Let me be unequivocally clear: I have never physically or emotionally abused Denise — or anyone. "These accusations are completely false and deeply hurtful. Denise and I, like many couples, have faced our share of challenges, but any suggestion of abuse is categorically untrue. "I have always tried to approach our marriage with love, patience, and respect. I ask for privacy as we navigate personal matters, and I hope that the public and media will refrain from spreading harmful and baseless claims.' The Sun has contacted representatives for Richards and Reyes for comment. 5 Reyes is currently on screens in the UK in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins Credit: PA 5 Richards has accused Phypers of emotional and physical abuse, which he has denied Credit: Getty
