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Chloe signing in Waterstones Coventry, Sat 21st May 10:30-12:30
Yes, all over now. Aching hands, aching head, aching everything, but it was great! Loads of lovely people came along and lots of books were sold - Waterstones seemed very pleased, anyway. Staff were so helpful and kind. Thanks to all who sent good wishes and especially to Carl from Talkback, who came along and bought a book! So nice to meet you, Carl.
Free pens were all used up, lots of goodies were eaten. Son and step-daughter did a brilliant job of steering people into the shop and to my desk. The reading seemed to go down well. Met two budding young authors - one aged ten and one fifteen.
Can't quite believe it was real - going to wake up in a minute and find I've got it still to do.
Was great to meet you Rosalie.
On any other day I wouldn't have considered your book, it's so far outside my 'comfort' zone for genres.
However, I'm glad I did buy your book as I've read it in almost one sitting. Loved the story and encouraged my wife to read it next.
To anyone else who may be interested, my crude (remember, not my comfort zone) interpretation is: think 'Fight Club' or Gollum/Smeagol in 'Lord of the Rings' but toned down enough for adolescents and with a modern day "you don't understand me" teenage angle.
Lou, I read the bit early on where Joe first meets Anna and her twin, and delights Anna by 'recognising'' Chloe. Then I read the scary bit beside the lake in the park, where Chloe tries to strangle Anna and take over her body!
Carl, I am so pleased you read Chloe and liked it. Thank you!!! I hope your wife enjoys it too. Would be great if you felt like writing a review on Amazon (or on the Waterstones site or elsewhere if you prefer).
Gollum/Smeagol parallel had not occurred to me but yes, see what you mean. And am flattered by the comparison!
I was hyperventilating beforehand, Susie, just about. Really nervous that hardly anyone would turn up. I needn't have worried, though. It was a lovely sunny day, which helped.
What pleased me was that not only did lots of lovely friends and relatives come along, but people in the shop came over to have a look (see what all the fuss was about?) and some of them bought books. I think the colourful display - balloons, bowls of sweets etc, all helped, and Waterstones gave me a huge table almost in the doorway so people had to make a big effort to ignore me!
The free 'Chloe' pens were very popular. They were really easy to do - we ordered the special pens from eBay (quite cheaply) and then printed a picture of the book cover, title and author name and slid the bits of paper inside the plastic casing. They looked completely professional and people seemed pleased to get them. I also had shiny postcards (ordered from Vistaprint) of the front of the book, with purchase details on the back, giving priority to Waterstones. And my wonderful family went outside and nabbed people on the street until a council official told them to stop :-)
Plus a photographer from the local paper turned up and spent ages taking photos of me, plus any passing youngsters who agreed (and whose parents agreed) to take part. We asked permission to use their photos on websites and they all said OK. We gave them all a free pen and the girl who spent ages having her photos taken was given a free signed copy, too.
The reading felt a bit awkward at first, as Waterstones weren't able to make an announcement so I just had to start. But people gathered round and looked quite interested, so I soon forgot they were there and enjoyed performing. I think it would have been fine without the reading, though.
My main advice would be - enlist as much help as you can beforehand from people happy to make fools of themselves, and make friends with the shop staff in good time. Plus go for balloons and freebies, though I guess you might want something more sophisticated for a grown-up book. The more hustle and bustle round the table, the less afraid people are to creep up and investigate what's going on, because they don't fear being pounced upon.
Loved reading this, Rosalie. Thanks for taking the trouble to tell us about your day.
[quote=Rosalie]The more hustle and bustle round the table, the less afraid people are to creep up and investigate what's going on, because they don't fear being pounced upon. [/quote]
Yes, that's an excellent tip - I'm sure it makes a huge difference in 'approachability'.
[quote=Rosalie]And my wonderful family went outside and nabbed people on the street until a council official told them to stop [/quote]
Great stuff - made me laugh - they do indeed sound like a wonderful family. :)
Comments
Yes, all over now. Aching hands, aching head, aching everything, but it was great! Loads of lovely people came along and lots of books were sold - Waterstones seemed very pleased, anyway. Staff were so helpful and kind. Thanks to all who sent good wishes and especially to Carl from Talkback, who came along and bought a book! So nice to meet you, Carl.
Free pens were all used up, lots of goodies were eaten. Son and step-daughter did a brilliant job of steering people into the shop and to my desk. The reading seemed to go down well. Met two budding young authors - one aged ten and one fifteen.
Can't quite believe it was real - going to wake up in a minute and find I've got it still to do.
Pictures soon.
On any other day I wouldn't have considered your book, it's so far outside my 'comfort' zone for genres.
However, I'm glad I did buy your book as I've read it in almost one sitting. Loved the story and encouraged my wife to read it next.
To anyone else who may be interested, my crude (remember, not my comfort zone) interpretation is: think 'Fight Club' or Gollum/Smeagol in 'Lord of the Rings' but toned down enough for adolescents and with a modern day "you don't understand me" teenage angle.
A great book Rosalie! :)
Carl, I am so pleased you read Chloe and liked it. Thank you!!! I hope your wife enjoys it too. Would be great if you felt like writing a review on Amazon (or on the Waterstones site or elsewhere if you prefer).
Gollum/Smeagol parallel had not occurred to me but yes, see what you mean. And am flattered by the comparison!
Very pleased for you it went well.
What pleased me was that not only did lots of lovely friends and relatives come along, but people in the shop came over to have a look (see what all the fuss was about?) and some of them bought books. I think the colourful display - balloons, bowls of sweets etc, all helped, and Waterstones gave me a huge table almost in the doorway so people had to make a big effort to ignore me!
The free 'Chloe' pens were very popular. They were really easy to do - we ordered the special pens from eBay (quite cheaply) and then printed a picture of the book cover, title and author name and slid the bits of paper inside the plastic casing. They looked completely professional and people seemed pleased to get them. I also had shiny postcards (ordered from Vistaprint) of the front of the book, with purchase details on the back, giving priority to Waterstones. And my wonderful family went outside and nabbed people on the street until a council official told them to stop :-)
Plus a photographer from the local paper turned up and spent ages taking photos of me, plus any passing youngsters who agreed (and whose parents agreed) to take part. We asked permission to use their photos on websites and they all said OK. We gave them all a free pen and the girl who spent ages having her photos taken was given a free signed copy, too.
The reading felt a bit awkward at first, as Waterstones weren't able to make an announcement so I just had to start. But people gathered round and looked quite interested, so I soon forgot they were there and enjoyed performing. I think it would have been fine without the reading, though.
My main advice would be - enlist as much help as you can beforehand from people happy to make fools of themselves, and make friends with the shop staff in good time. Plus go for balloons and freebies, though I guess you might want something more sophisticated for a grown-up book. The more hustle and bustle round the table, the less afraid people are to creep up and investigate what's going on, because they don't fear being pounced upon.
[quote=Rosalie]The more hustle and bustle round the table, the less afraid people are to creep up and investigate what's going on, because they don't fear being pounced upon. [/quote]
Yes, that's an excellent tip - I'm sure it makes a huge difference in 'approachability'.
[quote=Rosalie]And my wonderful family went outside and nabbed people on the street until a council official told them to stop [/quote]
Great stuff - made me laugh - they do indeed sound like a wonderful family. :)
Stories like this inspire me to keep writing and trying. :D
I now follow your blog.
A great incentive for getting on with the follow up ... !
:)