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Something rather nice happened a few weeks ago. I hacking away at the coal face, trying to complete the edits for the third book in my Wild Thing series, when the publisher of my previous book, Wolfie, called to tell me that it had just won a prize – a Fantastic Book Award.
Writing is a funny kind of profession. It’s lonely, insecure, there’s no pension, and you never know if the next book will be taken on – but, being so unpredictable, it does produce its golden moments.
It was a real treat, winning the award. I got a certificate, a fountain pen, letters from the child judges. Best of all, I was invited to the presentation ceremony to meet some of the participating children. I heard what they thought about Wolfie, read their reviews, was stunned by their wonderful Wolfie board games and illustrations, signed their books and led a workshop brainstorming magic animal stories. (I’m tempted to steal some of their brilliant ideas!)
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Celebrating the award! |
I also got to meet the lovely folks at
Lancashire School Library Services (Lancs SLS) who actually run the award.
So, at this point, you’re probably wondering what this all has to do with the title – Emma supports School Library Services because they gave her a nice day out?
No, no, and no. Encouraging authors, nice though it is, is only a side effect of what School Library Services (SLSs) do. First of all, the point of regional book awards, like the
Fantastic Book Award (FBA), is not really about the prize. It’s about the process. And that means the children reading, discussing –
enjoying – the books.
It’s all about bringing books and children together. And that is what every School Libraries Service aims to do.
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My winning book! |
To which some might say – why can’t schools do this without a School Library Service? Just consider the following facts:
- most primary schools don’t have a librarian
- most primary schools have limited space for a library, and limited stock
- most primary school teachers are not experts in children’s literature, and so primary schools rarely have someone who can choose stock and advise children on which book to read.
I know these things because I regularly visit primary schools, and have encountered many “libraries” that consist of little more than a handful of Roald Dahls and Dick King Smiths. I do meet teachers and teaching assistant who are passionate about children’s books and reading – but it is through their own personal interest. Wide knowledge of children’s books does not seem to be considered a key part of the job or its training. (I don’t blame hard-pressed teachers – I do blame an education system which has given so little priority to encouraging children’s reading.)
It’s the children that suffer. Here are some of the things that I have witnessed first hand, the result of primary schools without librarians:
- a Year 3 child struggling and failing to read an ancient copy of Thackeray’s The Rose and The Ring from the school library. Nobody was aware that this was not in fact a young child’s read. - a boy giving up on a non-fiction book in disgust because its classifications of dinosaurs was decades out of date. - a school library that was revamped by parent volunteers, but where there was no library time, and no chance for children to borrow books, because there was no staff member to oversee this. - a school which was over 60% non-white, but where none of the books on the shelves had characters of the same ethnicity/religion as these pupils. Here, by contrast, are some of the things I’ve seen with a designated school librarian:
- children’s reading being guided in a good way – e.g. if you like this, then perhaps you’ll like that: if you like The Rainbow Fairies, maybe you’ll like these books by Emily Rodda (also about fairies but more challenging). - children able to say “I’m interested in Monet/dinosaurs/space/Greek Myths” and immediately being given something age appropriate that reflects their interest. - regular library times, for quiet reading, but also finding out what library does and how to use it. - a wide range of stock which does not rely completely on just a few well established authors, and which reflects all ages, abilities and interests. It’s hard for individual schools to tackle these issues alone.
The Society of Authors has been campaigning for every school to have a librarian, a campaign I HUGELY support, but the truth is it’s not going to happen any time soon.
Meanwhile School Library Services (SLSs) provide back up. They are the infrastructure on which individual schools can rely.
What does that mean in practice? Well, the first thing I saw when I visited my local SLS in Leeds was a huge warehouse full of books. There were shelves and shelves in all kinds of categories – and all of these books are available to, and regularly sent out by the box load, to the schools that subscribe to the service.
(A bad back must be an occupational hazard in a SLS!)
A school could phone up and say, “we’re doing a project on transport for Year 4” or “we’re struggling to find books for reluctant readers” or “we need books with Muslim characters” and the SLS would help. SLS staff know the stock. They can advise schools on how to access it, how to create a better school library, and how to create a reading culture in schools. They also organize author visits – so that children can meet authors face to face, and teachers can hear about new books too.
They also organize regional book prizes – like the
Fantastic Book Award (FBA). For the schools and children involved, the FBA meant a chance to:
- meet in a weekly group to read and chat about the shortlisted books (chosen to reflect a range of abilities and interests)
- read purely for pleasure and to do other fun things, like post reviews online
- spread the word about the books in school
- let teachers know which new books are out there, and which their pupils enjoy
- engage in activities like drawing the characters in the books, designing board games and eating chocolate muffins at lunch time! All these things help make reading “cool”.
- correspond with authors and meet them in person.
After the event, I was sent feedback from the children. Here’s a couple of quotes:
This morning was brilliant. Especially when we made the story with Emma Barnes, it was fantastic!
I think today was probably the best day in my life because I saw a real life author!Unfortunately, School Library Services are closing. Schools have to subscribe to their services – if they don’t subscribe, the service closes. Many parents don’t know what an SLS is or does, so won't protest – which must make them a soft target for cuts. In my own area, Bradford SLS closed in 2012, and
North Yorkshire SLS is to close next year. Who will step into the gap? Public libraries? They may try (I recently did a wonderful schools’ event organized by Oldham Libraries) but public libraries are also subject to deep cuts.
At a time when the value of reading for pleasure is being recognized and acknowledged –
the research evidence for its benefits keeps mounting – it's bitterly ironic that the services needed to support it are being reduced. I just hope that the politicians and public see what's happening before it's too late.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emma's new series for 8+
Wild Thing about the naughtiest little sister ever (and her bottom-biting ways) is out now from Scholastic. The second in the series,
Wild Thing Gets A Dog is out in July.
"Hilarious and heart-warming" The Scotsman
Wolfie is published by Strident.
Sometimes a Girl’s Best Friend is…a Wolf. "A real cracker of a book"
Armadillo "Funny, clever and satisfying...thoroughly recommended"
Books for KeepsEmma's
WebsiteEmma’s
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By:
Emma Barnes,
on 5/16/2014
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I’ve just come back from a visit to Santa Barbara. It was wonderful to revisit old haunts – the Daily Grind coffee shop, Chaucer Books – and to spend time watching the dolphins and pelicans from Arroyo Burro beach, smell the roses near the Mission, and most of all, bask in California sunshine after a long, cold, Yorkshire winter.
It also made me think about the relationship between writing and place.
It was while I was in Santa Barbara I got a message saying that my book Wolfie had won a Fantastic Book Award (voted for by children across Lancashire). This seemed fitting, as it was actually while I was staying in Santa Barbara, five years ago, that I wrote Wolfie. And that made me think how odd it was that a book about wolves and deep winter woods (so atmospherically brought to life in Emma Chichester Clark’s illustrations) should have been created in such a completely different environment.
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cover: Emma Chichester Clark |
I remember the process well. I’d walk my daughter to preschool – passing rows of jacaranda trees, an open air swimming pool and banks of creeping rosemary. Then I’d go home and open my laptop and plunge into a world where a wolf appears in an ordinary British neighbourhood, and takes the heroine into a snow-filled world of adventure. Maybe it was the contrast itself that got my imagination going? I was certainly driven: tapping away intently, working against the clock until pick-up time. |
illustration: Emma Chichester Clark |
Of course many writers are inspired by their particular environment and its familiarity. But I wonder how often writers are inspired to write about a setting precisely because it isn’t there? Quite often, I suspect. In some cases, this might be tinged with homesickness, or nostalgia for a place and time lost.
Certainly, one of the most evocative children’s books that I know, in terms of creating a setting, is Susan Cooper’s Dark Is Rising – part of the famous fantasy series of the same title. This book is set in rural Berkshire near Windsor, and Will’s house, the village, the manor and the surrounding landscape are brilliantly portrayed: so real, so immediate, but also echoing with the years of history that lie behind. When Will sets out into the woods he may meet a Smith from centuries past, or a tramp who has travelled through time, or the mythical Herne the Hunter: somehow the place can contain them all. This capturing of landscape is also a feature of Cooper’s other books – the mountains of Wales in The Grey King, and a Cornish village in Greenwitch.
These books capture perfectly a British place and time (and I say time because I suspect the “present day” Berkshire that Cooper portrays has probably now been lost as totally as her Medieval or Dark Age versions, under the pressures of modern development). Yet they were written when Cooper was far from her original home, living on the East Coast of the US. In interviews, she has described how she was cross country skiing (a thoroughly un-British activity) when the idea of The Dark Is Rising came to her.
I’m certainly grateful for my time in California. Towards the end of my stay I also went to the Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference, which was stimulating in a different way. And I enjoyed happy hours running on the beach. But mainly those months were a warm, calm, interlude: a bubble in which I managed to write a book.
Maybe one cold, winteryYorkshire morning I will sit down and find myself writing a tale of sunshine, sand and dolphins…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emma's new book,
Wild Thing, about the naughtiest little sister ever (and her bottom-biting ways), is out now from Scholastic. It is the first of a series for readers 8+.
"Hilarious and heart-warming" The Scotsman
"Charming modern version of My Naughty Little Sister" Armadillo Mag
Wolfie is published by Strident.
Sometimes a Girl’s Best Friend is…a Wolf. Winner of 2014 Fantastic Book Award
"A real cracker of a book"
Armadillo "Funny, clever and satisfying...thoroughly recommended"
Books for Keeps"This delightful story is an ideal mix of love and loyalty, stirred together with a little magic and fantasy"
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HOW TO HOLD A CHILDREN’S BOOK LAUNCH
You’re publishing a book so you are bound to have a book launch? Right? Wrong. Of the many children’s books published each year, few are “launched” – at least, not in the traditional manner with nibbles and champagne. There may be a flurry of activity on Facebook. Or it may just be that the author buys herself a celebratory cappuccino that morning, or even, sitting at her desk, suddenly thinks “wait a minute, wasn’t my new book out today?”
I’d never had a book launch. But for my 2011 book
How Not To Make Bad Children Good, I did have a book signing at Waterstones in Leeds. As it turned out, lots of people came along, the store sold out of the book, and there was a real “buzz” in store. So when
Wolfie came out, I decided to take the next step and have an official launch party.
Waterstones very kindly offered me a Friday evening after the store was closed, glasses for drinks, and staff to hand them out. Other than that (my publisher could only support me from a distance) I knew the organisation was mainly down to me.
Was it a wise decision? A few hours before, with my voice a mere croak from a bad cold, no idea of how many people were turning up, no posters in store, no idea where to park (without taking out a second mortgage), and my nearest and dearest stuck on trains across the country, it felt like a very bad idea indeed.
But then... my sister designed a poster and the local print shop printed it in minutes. My baking pal produced lovely eats – and she knew where to park, too. Suddenly there were crowds of little wolves running about the aisles, their parents were happily quaffing, my voice held out...just about...as I did my reading. People were queuing to buy the books and get them signed. I met some fans of my previous books. It was actually fun!
So should you have a book launch for your book? Maybe. Here are some things to consider.
PROS
1) It’s a great way to tell people about your book. You can invite not only friends and family, but also schools where you have visited, librarians, reading groups, book festival organisers, bookshop owners, journalists and so forth. Whether or not they come, you are still reminding them about you and your book. And when children turn up because they have loved your previous books, that is very special.
2) Media Coverage. A launch event is more interesting to journalists than simply “local author writes book”. I got coverage in the local newspaper, on various blogs, and local radio.
3) Social Media. Again, a launch is something to shout about on Facebook and Twitter, and is especially good for FB as you can post lots of photos. (So make sure there are photos!)
4) Book sales – I suppose this is the big question. Does it have an impact? All I can say is that Waterstones were delighted with sales on the day, and the Amazon rating was right up in the following weeks.
5) Above all, though, it’s FUN, and celebrates the fact that your book is finally, after so much hard work, in print!
CONS
1) It’s a LOT of work. Unless you are in the cushy position of having an event organiser, then you are going to be sending invites (and personal ones are best), writing press releases, organising food, liaising with the bookshop etc. It’s time that could be spent writing.
2) Don’t even think about it unless you know lots of people to invite. Remember, many you invite won’t be able to come. Few people will walk in off the street – unless you are a “name”. And if it’s a kids’ book, then you need to know people in the right age group. If you don’t, it may be better to do a school or other group-based event instead.
TOP TIPS
1) For a children’s event, you need children, and they like to have things to do. My book is about a wolf, so I had wolf-themed Word Searches, Colouring Sheets, Quizzes and Dressing-Up and a competition to Guess How Many Hamburgers A Wolf Can Eat in One Setting (its ninety, amazingly). For a kids’ event (probably any event) keep readings – and any speeches – SHORT.
2) Photos. Press tend to have quite strict requirements for photos. They like faces, looking straight at camera, and closely cropped. Tell your photographer in advance. If using your own camera, make sure the BATTERY IS CHARGED. Ask children’s parents if they are happy for their children’s images to be used.
3) Exploit your friends! You may not be able to make wonderful refreshments, design great posters, take publishable photos etc, but you probably know people who can. So ask them. And then thank them and pay them, if it is appropriate, or give them a lovely present.
4) Cake. You can now order cakes with your book’s cover from supermarkets or online companies. Easy, inexpensive and delicious!
5) Invite a Group. Library-based book groups, brownies cubs, scouts may all be interested. Schools, though, can be less receptive than you’d think – most teachers are busy, and not looking for extra outings, and head teachers may be reluctant to publicise events that only certain pupils can attend. On the other hand, I invited the Friends group from my local park, where some of my story is set, and although the age-group seemed wrong several came along to buy signed copies for their grandchildren.
6) Think About Stock. If your launch is at a bookshop, bear in mind that they will not want to be left with lots of unsold copies, and will order cautiously. On the other hand, you don’t want people who are keen to buy being unable to do so. So it’s a good idea for you or your publisher to bring along extra stock, which the bookshop can sell (and then replace later) if its own stock runs out.
7) For press coverage you need to get your timing right, and you need to write a snappy press release. Don’t assume that journalists will have time to interview you or write insightful pieces about your work – instead write good copy yourself and provide strong images. Send out press releases in the week before and tweet local media. I found one good tactic was to put the press release on my web-site and tweet the link. Send out photos as soon after the event as possible. And finally:
8) RELAX. You can’t completely control your book launch. So long as you are not collapsing drunkenly in the aisles (this is not the publicity you are looking for) you might as well enjoy it!
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Different kinds of books for different kinds of mood. Are you like me, do you vary a lot in what you want to read? I find it often depends on the mood I am in. Sometimes it is fantasy, sometimes I am reading adult novels, Young Adult, Younger books or picture books, but in the end it is all about whether the book is a good read, and also in the case of books for younger readers, whether it works for the intended audience.
Here are a few of the books I have enjoyed this year- not actual reviews but there are plenty reviews of all of these, some in the ABBA review pages, I wanted to share some books I have enjoyed and I hope you might suggest some books that have been on your list this year, in the comments.
I particularly enjoy epic fantasy where there are several books in a series. I love it when I have been reading a series and I get the latest volume about a place or time or other world where I know the characters, care what happens to them. It is like slipping on a comfortable coat but in the hands of a skilled storyteller you know you will be entertained, and sometimes frightened or upset for the characters, perhaps fall in love with them and laugh or cry with them, experience their loss, their discomfort and decisions; exploring their values and their lives . It is all part of the experience.
I have read some of A Song of Ice and Fire series , but I am beginning to read it again starting once more with
A GAME OF THRONES so that I can get back into it before I read the two books in the series I have not read yet.
I love the way George RR Martin is not afraid to kill off characters you care for, so that you are never sure. So many books I read (particularly in a series)I know the main characters will always find a way out of any situation and that sense of reality and real life danger is lost.
I loved getting lost in the world created by Gillian Phillip in the Rebel Angels series. This is another engrossing fantasy series and Book3,
WOLFSBANE, came out this summer. Gillian is not afraid to give her characters a really bad time of it, but their difficulties and their loves and fight for survival, make them all the more real.
I am a huge fan of Guy Gavriel Kay and could not miss out
UNDER HEAVEN,
A stand alone fantasy. I think it is one of his best.
'The world could bring you poison in a jeweled cup, or surprising gifts. Sometimes you didn't know which of them it was...' You gave a man one of the famed Sardian horses to reward him greatly. You gave him four or five to exalt him above his fellows, propel him towards rank, and earn him jealousy, possibly mortal jealousy. Two hundred and fifty is an unthinkable gift, a gift to overwhelm an emperor.'Under Heaven...takes place in a world inspired by the glory and power of Tang Dynasty China in the 8th century, a world in which history and the fantastic meld into something both memorable and emotionally compelling.
I loved Mary Hooper's
FALLEN GRACE it is describled as..
'A stunning evocation of life in Victorian London, with vivid and accurate depictions, ranging from the deprivation that the truly poor suffered to the unthinking luxuries enjoyed by the rich: all bound up with a pacy and thrilling plot, as Grace races to unravel the fraud about to be perpetrated against her and her sister.'
and
THE FOOL'S GIRL by Celia Rees
'In an adventure that stretches from the shores of Illyria to the Forest of Arden, romance and danger go hand in hand.'
You can read an excellent account of how this book came about and see a video clip of her talking about the book on Celia's website
www.celiarees.com/fools_girl/indexand also Penny Dolan's
A Boy Called Mouse“‘Penny Dolan unfolds a story that will have her audience captivated from the intriguing cast list that precedes Chapter One to the bittersweet epilogue . . . This is a true page-turner - clearly influenced by the timeless storytelling of Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte, but still very much an original in its own right'” –
Primary TimesThree great historical novels.
I don't really do vampires but this year I did dip into a couple in that genre and I enjoyed them so here they are. They always seem to have such amazing covers, too!
I met Amy Plum this year at the Edinburgh Book Festival and
DIE FOR ME is the first of her series, the second is out now and the third in 2013. It is set in Paris which gives it a little extra style, and is very readable, with credible characters.
'Kate discovers that Vincent is s a revenant—an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray.'
'In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.'
A new series Sarah Midnight starts with DREAMS. It is by Daniela Sacerdoti. You can read a review of it on the
Abba review ' Ever since her thirteenth birthday, seventeen-year-old Sarah Midnight's dreams have been plagued by demons - but unlike most people's nightmares, Sarah's come true.
Sheltered from the true horrors of the Midnight legacy She is cruelly thrust into a secret world of unimaginable danger after the murder of her parents, as she is forced to take up their mission. Alone and unprepared for the fight that lies before her, Sarah must learn how to use the powers'
If you are looking for something slightly younger Emma Barnes' wonderful new book
WOLFIE is a delightful tale for younger readers that is attracting a lot of well deserved praise.
'Sometimes a girl's best friend is...A WOLF.
Lucie has always longed for a dog.
But not one this big.
Or with such sharp teeth.
Or with such a hungry look in its eyes...
Lucie realises that her new pet is not a dog, but a wolf. Not only that, but a wolf with magical powers.'
For little ones a couple of great picture books I enjoyed...I love picture books where the pictures tell a quite different story to the one in the text. Both of these are a lot of fun.
'There always seems to be something wrong with his tractor. But Arthur is concentrating so hard on his tractor that he doesn't notice a very exciting magical story that is happening all around him!'
Three little trolls, Oink Moink and Boink, go out to find a baby for the baby pie they want to make...but they are in for a surprise!
Can you sniff it?
Can you whiff it?
Lick lips, pat belly, my oh my.
What books have your had on your reading list this year?
www.lindastrachan.com
Linda Strachan is the award winning author of over 60 books for all ages from picture books to teenage/ YA novels and a writing handbook Writing For Children
Her latest novel is Don't Judge Me- published by Strident November 2012
To my mind, Edinburgh is the acme of Book Festivals. That doesn’t mean I don’t love visiting others too. But because it’s my original home town, Edinburgh will always be special.
I’ve been going to Edinburgh for years – mostly to the children’s events. It was here, a few years back, that I got to see two of my childhood idols: Anthony Buckeridge, the creator of the hilarious Jennings, and Diana Wynne Jones, who wrote Howl’s Moving Castle.
I’ve been able to prowl around the fabulous book tents, scoff the fabulous ice-cream and even sneak into the authors’ yurt, when invited by my lovely publisher or author friends. So naturally it’s become a burning ambition to do an event at Edinburgh myself.
Last year it almost came true when my book
How (Not) To Make Bad Children Good came out at the same time as the Festival, and I signed the first ever copy of the first edition in the Festival bookshop. And this year it finally happened.
I was asked to do an event. I was to present my book,
Wolfie – hot off the presses – to a tent full of Edinburgh school children.
Yay hay! In triumphant mood I went along to the yurt to collect my author’s pass and complimentary tickets. Complimentary tickets! I gloated over them for a little while. Then I had a quick nose into the yurt itself. It’s a lovely space, but at that moment bursting with scary looking literary types, all deep in conversation. I slunk out and decided to check out the book tent first.
Dismay! I couldn’t find my books. Then I realised they were there – and spread out over two stands.
I had a couple of days before my event and I made good use of them. One session I enjoyed was with sci-fi writer Neal Stephenson, and scientist and novelist Jennifer Rohmer, about the lack of scientists in fiction. I’m well aware of that. My own books, Jessica Haggerthwaite: Witch Dispatcher (and now Wolfie) are two of the few I’ve encountered for children where science is integral to the plot.
I also made a diversion to visit Parliament. The Holyrood one. As part of the Festival of Politics, there was a Carnegie-sponsored panel discussion on children’s reading, with author Theresa Breslin among others, and I was able to go along.
Back at the Book Festival, I made a discovery. Not only is there the lovely authors’ yurt – with FREE CAKE – but there is even a special authors’ toilet. Who knows who you might bump into?
And yesterday, my big day arrived. The lovely people in the yurt told me that there were 150 children attending – a bit of a shock, as I was expecting about 50. I was miked up, and I met my wonderful Chair from the Scottish Booktrust, who put me right at ease.
We were off!
After that first moment of blinking into the lights, I forgot my nerves. They were a lovely audience (some of them even knew the latin name for wolf!) and it was all great fun. The quiz was just the right side of chaos. But I couldn’t resist bragging about the free cake in the yurt.
So not a surprise when I bumped into one young member of the audience in there later...
Playing catch up
I have been caught up the world of trying to catch up, which means sorting out the studio, general sorting and tidying and gasp! going outside. Sunshine, trees, bike riding and library visiting, all quite lovely.
I have been sewing again and should have something to show by the end of the week. Been having great fun trying to re-create the wolf that I made last year, but this time in a brown, tweedy wool/silk mix. Great fabric to work with and I am hoping that it will have lots of raggedy edges to make him look the scoundrel that he is.Here is a reminder of how he looked:
I am working on a new Little Red also. I think she will be bigger and have jointed arms and legs like ol' wolfie there.
Also wanted to show you this. My husband has many talents and seems to have developed a new one... P.J.Bracegirdle
Talk to you again soon peeps!
That is a really useful post - I'm bookmarking it for later reference! Thanks, Emma.
And I meant to say, your launch sounds and looks wonderful!
Emma, didn't you also have a child dressed up as a wolf? I was lucky enoug to go along, and agree with all Emma says. It was a great launch with lots of happy people.
Some useful points here, especially knowing children of the right age to invite.
I've always been in two minds about a book launch in a bookshop, but you've made it sound so easy. I'll know what to do for my next book! Thanks, Emma
I've written a novel for adults but this post is really useful, thank you. Publication is a year away, but I think I should try to organise something ... it's a bit daunting if you're a shrinking violet though! Thanks for the ideas and tips.
Savita - if I made it sound easy, I've definitely misrepresented the amount of work and stress involved!
Louise - know what you mean about being a shrinking violet - although I've done plenty of events, talks etc, somehow doing a "launch" does feel more show-offy.
Love the cake and the poster!
Great post, Emma and a clear blueprint for a great launch. It looks like it was worth all the stress and hard work and you did all the important things like getting word out about the book and the launch, and making it fun for everyone.
I think having a book launch is a great opportunity to have some fun after finishing a book and getting it published - both well worth celebrating.
Inviting children along is also a great idea. I had several teenage book groups at the launch of my last book. They loved that they had been invited and I was delighted to see them there, so it was positive on all sides.
Then there is cake - there should always be cake!
Truly brilliant and great advice! And congrats!
Thank you Emma. I've self-published a picture book linked to one of South Africa's most successful rock band. Because this is sort-of(!) unique, and because SA isn't big on book launches for children, I found your description of your experience very useful. Thanks again.
Had a lovely book launch for 'The Puppy that Came to Christmas' at Happy Dogs training centre. Volunteers from Canine Partners arranged the human catering. I provided dog treats and had a really special party that I'll never forget. :)
Kerry - if the rock band comes to your launch, I'm sure you won't have trouble pulling the crowds!
Ruth - I'd have liked to have my dog at my launch, or a real wolf (dream on!) but I don't think Waterstones would have been happy.
Yes, I'm bookmarking this for future events - my launches have been mostly adult affairs, great fun and with lots of adult sales, and I wouldn't have known how to go about it another way.