Book Launch: The Morning After the Night Before


I’m pleased to announce that Missing Words was published yesterday, and last night it was sent into the world with a fabulous (if virtual) book launch, hosted by Emma Timpany, author of the award-winning novella Travelling in the Dark. All four of the authors published this summer by Fairlight Moderns took part in the event, reading from their books and answering questions. Covid has changed a lot of things, and book launches are one of them. But you know what? Having an online launch was okay. In fact, it was better than okay.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m not a schmoozer. I hate crowds, and I hate social events where I’m expected to ‘mingle’ and make small talk. Worse yet, is talking about my book (note to self: I really must get over that). So last night’s virtual event came as something of a relief. Sure, I had to provide my own champagne, but I was very happy to stay home where my internet could unexpected go down if I started to panic. But the main thing that made the evening special was that people from all over the country – and right across the world – could take part. I live in Portsmouth, on the south coast of the UK, Douglas Bruton lives in Edinburgh, and Debbi Voisey lives halfway between us. Meanwhile, JT Torres lives 3000 miles away in Connecticut. That’s a lot of travelling we didn’t have to do. But what’s more, the virtual launch allowed many people to attend who most probably wouldn’t have been able to join us in person. I, for one, had friends and family Zooming in from Finland, Newfoundland, New York and Idaho. And I’m sure the other authors had equally far-flung support from people who otherwise wouldn’t have been there.

Yes, I was nervous, and yes, I tripped over my words a few times – that’s nothing new. But in the end, I think the evening went well. And it was great to hear the other writers speaking about their books. Douglas talked a bit about his writing process, and astounded every writer present by revealing that Blue Postcards took a mere six days to write. JT discussed identity and the Cuban diaspora in the United States and how his Cuban heritage influenced his writing of Taking Flight. Debbi spoke about her handling of real-life family events in Only About Love, and how those events have a different truth for each person who experiences them. And I talked about the relevance of bicycle riding in Missing Words.

It's a good feeling to know that my story is finally ‘out there’ now, fully fledged and launched into the big wide world. It’s taken me a while to get to this point, but I’ve always felt the book would eventually find a publisher. Now I hope it finds an audience.

*

All four novellas are now available in the UK from online and high street bookshops. Taking Flight by JT Torres and Blue Postcards by Douglas Bruton will be published in the United States in October of this year. Only About Love by Debbi Voisey and Missing Words by me, Loree Westron, will be available in the States from 1st March, 2022.

Read more about the authors and their books by visiting the Fairlight Books website, and from interviews found here on this blog.

Interview with Douglas Bruton

Interview with JT Torres

Interview with Debbi Voisey

Interview with Loree Westron

Comments

Douglas Bruton said…
Great review of the evening's event. Thought your discussion of 'Missing Words' was brilliant and if I wasn't already sold on the book, what you had to say would have clinched it (as it is my copy arrives on Monday and I can't wait!). Good luck with your real-world launch event. And I am sure your work will find an audience - look at what people are already saying about your book. x
6/8/21 10:21
Loree Westron said…
Hello Douglas! Thank you so much. The online launch really was great, wasn't it! It was lovely to hear all of the other writers talk about their books, and get a glimpse of their inspiration and how they came about. I wish we weren't all so far away from each other so we could physically get together. But thank goodness for Zoom! X
22/8/21 08:12
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