Good morning! Last night’s launch party was a smashing success, and I can now confess that I was paranoid for nothing. I had this vision of me standing in a room with 5 other people (bookseller, caterer, spouse, son, and one independent witness to my humiliation). Instead, we packed the house.
The space was the beautifully restored Victorian building that now houses the Body Now 4 Mums studio. Oscar sold the books, Joanna provided wonderful nibbles (garlicky spanakopita! rhubarb compote! pita with za’atar, sumac and fab vegan toppings! chocolate-covered marmalade! carrot cake! homemade limeade for the kids, in tiny green bottles with straws! and many things I didn’t even get a look at because I was in my corner, signing). The Catastrophizer was in charge of music, but no one heard the CD end because it was so raucous.
I learned a few things about launch parties that I feel compelled to share:
1. Arrive much earlier than you think is necessary. People started trickling in at 7pm for a 7.30 start!
2. Don’t lose the camera in the diaper bag.
3. Invite kids. They made it so delightful.
4. Enlist someone to bring you food & drink at the midway point.
5. Don’t expect to have meaningful conversations with your lovely friends. Just sign!
6. Bring more pens than you think you’ll need.
7. Breathe. It’s really happening.
8. Smile so hard your face hurts.
Steph Burgis says
Wooooooot!!!!!
(And ooh, wish Patrick & I could’ve sampled some of those yummy vegan toppings…)
Colleen says
It was great to see you and your lovely hubby and bebe, plus a table covered in your books, and even better people buying armloads of your books. Rock on!
Admin says
Oh, Steph, I wish you could all have been here!
Admin says
It was terrific to see you, Colleen – thank you SO MUCH for making the trek. And it was good to re-meet Vee.
Patricia Barraclough says
Sounds like you had a great Release Party. I hope sales of the book go great for you.
Admin says
Thank you so much, Patricia!