Book Signings….

Have you ever been to a book signing?

They are often held during store opening hours or in the Evenings – these tend to be called ‘Events’ rather than signings and can be a panel of Authors or just a lone Author.

I became aware of the Literary Lunch I went on by signing up to Clare Mackintosh’s newsletter – I’d read both her first two books, which I totally enjoyed and raved about to anyone that would listen.  She was on the verge of publishing her third book – Let Me Lie.  It was to be held at Denman College, home of the WI, where Clare had taught Media skills (Using an Ipad, Facebook for the older generation, who don’t want to be left out but don’t know where to start). And a mere 20-minute drive for me.    So I signed up and paid.  It doesn’t bother me going alone to events, as we are all there for the same reason.

It was a lovely event, as it turned out a couple of school Mum’s were also there.  The President of the WI and Clare did a Q & A Session and Clare went on to explain how she became an author, having previously been a Police Officer in Oxford, and how shes weaved it into her books – no questioning her Police Procedural.   She came round to each table, I think our table had the coffee course Clare and we heard tales of how she moved to Wales, is learning Welsh, swims in the lake nearby and travels doing these events.

I’ve since met Clare when her third book was published, again finding the information via her website, and I traveled to Chipping Norton – Half an hour the other way, towards the Cotswolds.  Another town Clare lived and worked as a Police officer. She was also an influence in Started the Chipping Norton Literary Festival.  At Jaffe & Neal she gave a small talk about Let Me Lie – whilst not given too much away, as it had been bought by many customers that evening.

I’ve since been to Mostly Books in Abingdon, for Crime Debut night with Olivia Kiernan – Too Close to Breathe and Karen Hamilton – The Perfect Girlfriend – They usually take questions from the audience, are willing to sign your book and have a chat about what they are writing now.

Also, Blackwell’s Books in Oxford holds evening events and where I have been to a Crime night panel event.  I ploughed my way through Cara Hunters – too close to home & In the Dark, DI Fawley is an Officer who I can visulise and cant wait to read the next installment coming 2019. 

How do I find out about them?   I have signed up get emails and check Twitter for events, it’s usually a few pounds or free to attend, as little as £4 and its worth it, as you get to ask questions you’ve always wondered, and find out what inspired character names and how they came up with the idea for the book.  I have signed up get emails and check Twitter for events, it’s usually a few pounds or free to attend, as little as £4 and its worth it, as you get to ask questions you’ve always wondered, and find out what inspired character names and how they came up with the idea for the book.

Literary Festivals are also great places to meet and find out about new authors, there’s often one going on – all year round – near me –  Oxford, Swindon, Wantage, Salisbury, Bath, Cheltenham, and Henley just to name a few.   Google them, search twitter, you’ll be sure to find one near by.

My most recent event was Ruth Hogan, again at Blackwell’s in Oxford  – She wrote The Room of Lost things and the newly published The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes. Where I spent a wonderful hour listening to her very refreshing way of thinking, about her childhood, her love of cemeteries, Death and why its such a taboo subject these days – despite our very definate and inevitable meeting with it one day. 

Next on my Even list:

20th October 2018 – Salisbury Literary Festival – CJ Tudor – The Chalk Man & Stu Turton – The Seven deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

28th October 2018 – Henley Literary Festival – Jodi Picoult – A Spark of Light, The small things, My Sisters Keeper. 

6th November – Ransom Riggs in London for The Map of Days signing – I am very excited about this, I adored his Miss Peregrines Peculiar children series

All very accomplished Authors – I will update my blog further after those events.