Last month I attended my very first book signing. It was Books on the Beach at Blackpool run by the force of nature who is the author and business woman who is Lizzie James. Her soft Welsh accent belies her ferocious organisational skills and the fact the she is an accomplished USA Today bestselling author.
The event was held in The Village Hotel, Blackpool. My accommodation was provided at a reduced bed and breakfast rate. The conference room was large and immaculately set up and there was plenty of space for all the sixty plus authors taking part. Many genres were represented, crime, romance, sci-fi and fantasy. It was exciting to be there.
It was marvelous to meet such a vibrant dedicated group of authors, many of whom had been attending book signings for years. As a first time attendee I needed lots of help to set up my stall, and the learning curve for how to approach the job in hand was steep.
I had no idea what to expect. I had never been invited to attend a book signing as an author before. But one of the things that was going on was a raffle in aid of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). This is a most worthwhile charity that supports men's mental health and prevents suicide in the UK. I was please to donate two books Hunter's Blood and Hunter's Christmas.
Meeting readers who were interested in my books and my writing was one of the best thing about being at Books on The Beach in Blackpool. They were so enthusiastic, and excited by all the stalls, colours and choice of books and merchandise on offer at the event.
As well as meeting new readers, I was supported by my friend and fellow author, Tracey Holland who came along and purchased my new book, Hunter's Rules. It's always especially terrifying when another author reads your book. I so hope she enjoys it.
Another author I know who made the effort to come along was historical fiction writer, Fiona Forsyth. She came with her daughter Miranda who will soon be starting her studies at Edinburgh University. Miranda chose my Jane Renwick thriller, The First Cut as an introduction to Edinburgh!
The amenities of The Village Hotel, Blackpool were beyond compare. They included a pool, a spa, squash courts, a golf course and the car park was huge. The only thing to let the hotel down was the menu. Choices in the restaurants were very limited and some basics like fish and chips and chicken kievs ran out over the weekend we were there.
My husband, Dave, joined me as my lovely assistant. He also enjoyed meeting the other authors and their assistants as well as the readers who took time to stop by our stall. He was extremely helpful bringing the books into the conference centre, setting up the stall and checking out the other stalls to see the marvelous books and merchandise for sale as well as looking for ideas.
It had been such a long time since I was last in Blackpool. The last time was with my father who took me up the Blackpool Tower. He died young and this visit brought back that happy memory.
I very much enjoyed the Books on the Beach Book Signing at Blackpool and, if you have an opportunity to attend a similar event either as an author or a reader, I would highly recommend it. I certainly hope to attend a variety of book signings around the country and will keep you posted as to which ones I will attend in good time so that I can see you there.
Comentários