Diary of a launch day
Yesterday, was the launch of ‘Buttercup Magic: A Mystery for Megan’, published by Piccadilly Press and aimed at 6-9 year olds. It felt like a triumph for me, my first mid-grade novel, and hopefully the first of a series. Thought I’d write about the day – the highs and the lows and the middly bits… so here it is… as recorded ‘yesterday’!
9.30am: So much Twitter love out there that am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed – people are unbelievably supportive. Facebook messages, texts from friends too! Even if I make a complete hash of this, I know folk are willing me on – may have a little cry in a mo!
10am: Feeling a bit butterfly-y and have the need to write. Have just realised that writing is one of my coping strategies – hadn’t really realised that before. Have painted nails a kind of hematite colour – sort of metallic black. Anyone would think I was launching a ‘goth horror’ not a cute book about magic and animals! Listening to Linkin Park – it’s my ‘go get ’em’ music. If I ever feel I need to summon up some extra zeal, or remind myself who I am, somehow, they do the trick!
10.30: Lips feel scratchy itchy – nerves I think. Good job dort has big tub of E45. Have whacked some of that on. Have had a few tears. Think I need to walk the hound!
11am: Lovely walk with hound in rain / hail. Was going to curl hair to soften my ‘dark angel’ look, but rain seems to have done it for me. Not sure Gok Wan would be impressed with my lazy attitude towards me barnet, but then he’s not been invited… Mwahahahahaha! Time for a warm up cuppa and one of those chocolate cornflake thingies. Really should look at speech index card thingy, but every time I think about it I feel sick. Dislike public speaking intently. I’m a teacher for God’s sake!!! I should be okay with this! ARGGGHHHHH! Get so cross with myself! Think I need some more Linkin Park!
12pm: Okay, thought I owed it to Gok to get curlers out – now look like a cross between Katie Melua and a poodle. Not sure it’s a good look.
12.50pm: Lunch had. Glad rags on. Time to be going… Argghhhhhhh! Please dear God let there be people – am not fussy about what sort, just some would be good!
5pm: Home, shattered, happy, bit of a headache. Kids were fantastic. Sold loads of books. Need to unpack boxes and eat!
8pm:Well, what a blinking fab day! Now bathed and relaxed. Headache gone. Loved the
day. Had fifty kids from years 3 and 4 from the local school – Holmgate School – along with a few teachers and parents.. Read to them, did a powerpoint with bits about me, the books etc. Took along a real-life ‘Flopsy Bunny’ and ‘Buttercup Coat’ (written into the book) and at the end the children did a ‘design your own Buttercup coat’ activity and lined up for books to be signed. They also decided that it would be nice if I signed all their Buttercup coat designs – that’s a lot of signatures… but I love that bit!
Funny things – there are always funny things that make these days extra special. At one point, I was reading a bit from the book where it starts to rain, and one of the library ladies shredded something. One of the teachers yelled out “And look, you can even hear the rain” – very amusing. Another highlight was that a little girl asked me if she could touch my hair… yes, MY hair… my Katie Melua / poodle hair… well, of course, I said YES! And she did! Gok would’ve been proud!
Of course, reading the book for the first time was wonderful , and selling so many was wonderful too. Also, quite a few of the children had one of the ‘Ruby and Grub’ books and remembered me from a previous school visit, which is always a lovely thing!
So, now I am home… happy, relieved that I didn’t make a complete twonk of myself, relieved that people came, relieved that they all went away happy! Hope you like the pics – these are just some from the day. An especially big THANK YOU to Emma Pass, who works at the library, helped with local promotion, helped out on the day and did a lovely Buttercup Magic wall display. Thanks also to Clay Cross Library for hosting the event, to
Julie Potten for arranging it, and to Holmgate School for taking part. Thanks also to all my wonderful Twitter friends – you sent me off this morning in style and were all there for me to come home to! You helped make my day truly special! Thanks also to Vivienne Dacosta who has written a wonderful review of Buttercup Magic here and to Jayne Howarth, who has written another lovely review which appeared in the Birmingham Post this week. Now, I think it’s time for a wee drinky!
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