The past few weeks, since the publication of
Missing
Words, have been a bit of a whirlwind and I am struggling to keep up with everything
that is happening at the moment. A few days after the online launch with my
cohort from Fairlight Moderns I had my very first LIVE book signing at my local
independent bookshop – the fabulous
Pigeon Books. Even though Covid restrictions
have been almost entirely lifted here in the UK, many people – myself included –
are not ready throw themselves into a crowded indoor space just yet, so the
book signing was a good alternative to a full-on event with a book reading and
clinking glasses of champagne. For three hours, I sat as if enthroned in the comfy
chair in the window of Pigeon Books while a surprising number people trooped
through the door and asked me – ME – to sign copies of my book. It was a
wonderful day, with time to chat to friends I hadn’t seen since pre-Covid days,
including some I hadn’t seen for years. And more thrilling still were the
people I didn’t know who came into the shop to buy the book and have it signed.
Phil and Mel, the owners of Pigeon Books, have been immensely supportive and
have done a fabulous job of promoting my book to their regulars. How amazing is
that!
The signing went so well, in fact, that halfway through the afternoon
we ran out of books, but Phil put in an order with his suppliers and a new
batch was promptly dispatched. When I popped into the shop the following day to
sign the fresh copies, I found Phil still at work promoting my book to one of
his customers
. And that was one more copy of
Missing Words signed
and sold!
Since the signing, I’ve had a number of people approach me with
further opportunities to promote the book and my other writing, including the
good people behind the Portsmouth Literary Map. Would I like to have a marker
placed on the map at a location that features in my book? I didn’t hesitate – and
asked for the marker to be placed on the old Royal Mail Sorting Office on
Slindon Street. They also requested a video recording with a short reading, and
hopefully that, too, will soon be available on their website.
This weekend, the Victorious Festival has descended on
Southsea, and the air along the seafront is buzzing with all types of music,
from acoustic folk/rock to R&B. Last night, Rag’n’Bone Man and the Streets
took the main stage, and tonight it will be Nile Rogers & Chic. But while folks
are enjoying the music, I’ll be at the opposite end of the festival grounds,
taking part in the Literacy Tent’s open mic session, with a short reading from Missing
Words. This was yet another opportunity that came up unexpectedly, and one
I couldn’t let pass me by. Wish me luck!
Then, in the October edition of the glossy lifestyle magazine, Waterside, the
author spotlight will be turned on…wait for it…me! Yes, it’s all happening at the
moment. I have no idea how long the excitement of publishing my first novel will
last, but it’s been a thrilling ride so far and I’m determined to make the most
of it.
Thanks for coming along and being part of it.
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