Category Archives: Marketing your novel

July 27, 2012 · 1:02 pm

A ‘Bookiful’ Weekend of Events!

If you have not been lucky enough to have tickets for the Olympics and you want a change from watching events on the TV then come along and say hello at one of my fun events next weekend.

1. ‘Bookiful’ Event Number One!

WHEN? Friday 3rd August at 7.30 pm, pray for a fine evening please!

WHERE? Weston Shore Southampton,

Meeting near the Pitch and Put – No firing golf balls in our direction please!!!!

WHAT? Book reading and Picnic.  A relaxing time to listen to appropriate extracts of my two novels Riduna and Ancasta Guide me Swiftly Home, a little talk and amusing anecdotes, followed by plenty of time for a chat and some wine. 

I have watched many a ship, ferry, sailing boat or cruise liner sail along Southampton Water from Weston Shore over the years, especially when I was a child and so, for me and my characters, Weston Shore represents emotions stirred by loss, yearning and hopefulness!

For more information visit the Weston Shore Society Blog

2. ‘Bookiful’ Event Number Two!

WHEN? Saturday 4th August 11.00 to 12.30

WHERE? The Herald Offices, High Street, Hythe (Not to be confused with Hythe in Kent, this is just over Southampton Water)

WHAT? Book signing event and saying hello

We will enjoy a trip over on the Hotspur from Southampton in the morning to reach the pier and little train (if we are feeling lazy) or walk through Hythe to the High Street

3. ‘Bookiful’ Event Number Three!

WHEN? Saturday 4th August 13.00 to 14.30

WHERE? Spinnakers Bar on Calshot Spit

WHAT? Book signing event and saying hello 

A group of us will enjoy a meal here but I will be happy to have a chat and sign books. An excellent place to have a spot of lunch or just a drink, then enjoy the fantastic views of the Solent as Southampton Water breaks free! A place seeped in history for the RNAS, the Schneider Trophy and memories for some of the Sunderland taking off towards the end of WW2.

4. ‘Bookiful’ Event Number Four!


WHERE? The Shuttleworth Collection near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire

WHAT? Book signing and talking to people in the book/ gift shop 

After 2pm I will be relaxing and enjoying the air display with family and friends. Not only is it a great day out but good to support Shuttleworth, who continue to work tirelessly to make living history!

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Filed under Book reading, Events, Flying Boats and Sea Planes, Historical Fiction, Marketing your novel, Schneider Trophy, Southampton, The Shuttleworth Collection, Weston Shore, Woolston

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July 25, 2012 · 11:37 am

Shuttleworth ~ 5th August Book Signing

On Sunday 5th August I will be signing copies of Ancasta ~ Guide me Swiftly Home at The Shuttleworth Air Pageant Day. As members of SVAS we try to get over to several air shows at Shuttleworth each year and I was given a considerable amount of support by John and Richard in the archives, both while researching for this novel and proof reading the manuscript for factual accuracy. Their help and  guidance was invaluable.

I am really pleased that a group of family and friends have agreed to join me once again in support of Shuttleworth. It was sad that our original pre book launch celebration was curtailed and moved to our back garden when we heard about the accident on July 1st, but we were devastated, later that day, to hear the news of the tragic death of the pilot Trevor Roche, the Gulf War veteran, who lost his life flying at Shuttleworth that day, just before the start of the show.

I would like to pay tribute to him, his skills as a pilot both in action and in giving us all such pleasure over the last few years at Shuttleworth.  He will be missed!

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Filed under Early Flight, Events, Marketing your novel, Proof Reading, The Shuttleworth Collection, Uncategorized

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July 24, 2012 · 11:06 am

The Airman ~ Henlow Bedfordshire

It seems fitting that I’m sitting in The Airman in Henlow, not too far away from Old Warden and Shuttleworth and even more of a coincidence that Google have a picture of Amelia Earhart on their search page to celebrate her 115th birthday. She disappeared in 1937 in her attempt to be the first women pilot to fly around the world.

Why am I in The Airman? BT have decided that it will take until 5pm on Thursday to fix both my phone and internet. Yesterday I tried unsuccessfully to find a local internet cafe. I spent an hour in the local library which helped, but in order to use my own laptop, in desperation I drove to Baldock Services. It was on the way home that I noticed The Airman.

Being a pub, restaurant, hotel close to Shuttleworth and Henlow Base and Henlow Airfield it was a perfect spot to decamp to. In fact, in the pre lunch time hour it has been calm and peaceful and I’m tempted to stay to lunch.

What have I learnt through this frustration without the internet and now Sans telephone too? Firstly I have focussed on my other project, a biography of a wonderful gentleman who is 102, since I feel the urgency to complete it this summer. Secondly I have learnt not to give up. In order to make arrangements and market your novel effectively you need both the inernet and a telephone, but with a little resourcefulness another way can be found!

Next posts will ‘Booksigning at Shuttleworth’ and ‘Exciting Events in the Southampton Area 2nd to 4th August.’

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Filed under Marketing your novel, Southampton, The Shuttleworth Collection

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