Saturday 25 June 2011

Farnham book signing

Today Saturday 25th June was my book signing in Farnham Waterstone's.
Incredibly I sold out of three of my five titles. You have to work hard on these occasions and it pays to tell everyone you grab that you are a brilliant author. They can make their own minds up as to that after they've bought a book. But you get to meet some interesting people and some bloody minded and rude ones as well. Female readers are easier to sell to, their other halves tend to tell you they "never read books", or have to ask the wife for permission to buy.

It was a lovely afternoon outside the shop and carnival day which reduced the number of buyers but as I nearly sold out I cannot grumble.

Now it's off to another selling date in Chichester. Watch this site.

My new novel Flanagan's legacy is now in the hands of the printers and we await the proof copy. I hope to launch it in August at the Selsey book fair and then have my big launch in Petersfield One Tree in September.

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Signing at Farnham

We had a great day out at Waterstone's in Alton. Thank you all my friends who supported me on the day. A glorious sunny day,with live music in the street and hundreds of people in their summer holiday gear. So it was hardly surprising that numbers coming into the bookshop were down. However we sold thirteen books of all my titles so I can't complain and the shop was happy.

On Saturday 25th June we move to Farnham Waterstone and this time I will be giving £1 per title sold to Farnham Disabled Sports Assn or FSAD. Olympic Nemesis has strong links to Frensham Sailability. Branham lake that first appeared in Emily's Hour is Frensham and several Frensham members have walk on parts in Olympic Nemesis. We follow once again Emily's dad Steve when he has a stroke. He recovers but makes his family's life a misery until they put him in a 2.4 racing boat on Branham Lake. Steve has a life changing experience that day similar to so many that we at Frensham have witnessed. It inspires Steve to aim for the Paralympics. More of the plot I will not give away, only that there is a juicy conspiracy, lots of racing boats and boy girl stuff all coming together in a dodgy South American country.

FLANAGAN'S LEGACY.

This year's book, Flanagan's Legacy, is nearly ready for the printer. The novel has a cracking cover designed by Guy Nicholson. We hope to have the first print run in time for the Selsea book fair with the formal launch in September.

Wednesday 1 June 2011

book sales promotion

I'm looking forward to my first book signing session of the summer at Waterstone's bookshop in Alton Hampshire. This is Jim's first time trying to wow the great British public. Then it's on to more signings in Farnham and then we hope Chichester and all points south. I have to thank Waterstone's who have been helpful with advice on how to develop my book covers. Their head office was not happy with my early versions and I think they have a point. I will take their advice. I cannot say the same for the boat book catalogue who sent my promotional material back unopened and unread with a contemptuous, dismissive rejection. When my next book is a world best seller they will not be alowed to touch a single copy.

The latest book Flanagan's Legacy is now being typset ready for the printer and has a cracking good cover by top designer Guy Nicholson. It has a controversial plot, but it is a tale of menace, conspiracy, love and romance with a big dose of offshore sailing.