Evidence that book events don't all go as planned

Things are hotting up (HEATING! HEATING! Yes, I hear you at the back) for the launch of ‘Home Bird’, my second novel, so I thought I’d share some photos from two years ago when we launched ‘Cuckoo in the Nest’.

1. This is me signing copies in Waterstones, Leadenhall, in the centre of London. Many author-signing photos show the author who, as she peeks over a teetering pile of books, wipes sweat from her brow and says, ‘The ink is running out in this fourth pen’. But Leadenhall’s book order was delayed so there were only two copies in the shop. I think I was there for 35 seconds. I wrote my name slowly, just to spin it out and give them time to take the picture.

2. Around launch time, my editor and I put out a call for photos of dogs with ‘Cuckoo in the Nest’. Ideally, I’d have liked a Dalmatian because there’s one in the story, but none arrived. I did approach a Facebook group for Dalmatian enthusiasts but they thought I was trying to hard-sell the book and banned me. This photo was one of my favourites, although the dog is clearly saying, ‘Take this bloody book off me or I’ll rip it to shreds.’

   

   3. This next one was taken at Hill Close Gardens, a venue in Warwick used often by Warwick Books who kindly hosted a launch-week event. On the music stand is a poem I intended to read out but didn’t. This is because my daughter was in charge of timings and had told me to stop talking. I believe her actual words were, ‘Stop now, Mother. You’ve done enough.’ I don’t think she said ‘done enough damage’ but she could have done. Incidentally, Hill Close Gardens is a visitor attraction where my husband volunteers as a gardener. If you like fossicking about amid foliage and flowers and fruit, as he does with all his heart, you should go.

   

   4. Here I am at the same event, signing a book for someone who is nine feet tall or perhaps arriving via the ceiling.

   

   5. At my book launch party at Waterstones in Leamington Spa, we had a 1970s theme as ‘Cuckoo in the Nest’ is set in 1976. My daughter (yes, the same one) made these cheese-and-pineapple-on-sticks hedgehogs. She also sourced the vibey napkins. I love the beady grape-eyes on the hedgehogs. It’s as though they are looking directly at you and saying, ‘No, we didn’t give permission for such indignities.’ I think they’ve been talking to the dog in the photo above.

   

   6. I’ve posted this last photo before, I think, but this is me with my writer friends Georgie Tennant, Ruth Leigh and Deborah Jenkins, each of whom managed to dress for the Waterstones launch in colours and patterns which matched my book. I, the author, on the other hand …

   Each of my three friends is, of course, standing on a box for this photo.

   

   Inside Fran’s Diary

   

   The launch party for ‘Home Bird’ is now fixed for Thursday 20 March at Waterstones Leamington Spa from 6-8pm. There’ll be room for family and friends but also for a few more keenies, so I’ll post the Eventbrite link as soon as it’s ready. Watch this space!

   We also have a date for a public event the next month, kindly hosted by the lovely Warwick Books. I’d love to see you there if you’re nearby. It’s on the evening of Tuesday 29 April and details are right here

   

   Other things coming up fast.

   12 February, being a ‘Human Book’ at Kenilworth Library, telling the story of how I became an author.

   2 April, speaking at Warwick Library about my books.

   5 April, womanning a stall at Banbury Book Fair selling copies of Cuckoo in the Nest and the spanking-new Home Bird.

   If you want more details about any of these events, no one will judge you. Just message me.