And so the launches are over. The book has been waved off on that uncertain sea of bookselling with two merry dos, a lot of drinking and signings, and quite a lot of gratitude, I might add.Last Friday was the London launch of The Hoard of Mhorrer at Goldsboro Books. I’ve always been a bit jealous of authors that have had their launches at Goldsboro Books (I haven’t attended a duff one yet) so I was looking forward to at least a launch on a par with those I’ve experienced - and you know, I wasn’t disappointed. David Headley and staff put on a delightful launch; he was the consummate host and everyone attended looked happy (or drunk, or both!). My speech was ad-hoc, and the reading was unprepared for but was ultimately better for it (and perhaps a better reading than the Sheffield launch). I never asked David how many books were sold, but I did sign all 100 copies and personally signed a large stack of books for eager readers at the do, so I think they did quite well…
…And yes, I did buy a collector’s edition while I was there – a fellow Macmillan New Writer’s first edition, no less (I won’t say who – don’t want to embarrass them!)
Anyway, I’m digressing. A lot of people came far and wide to be there at Goldsboro Books last Friday. Some risked the wrath of friends and family to come, others splashed the cash buying more than one copy of the book. Some were unable to attend due to last minute obstacles but sent their blessings and best wishes, and on the night I said I was very proud and honoured of all the support I’ve been shown during these two launches, from booksellers and publishers, to friends and family, to would you believe it, fans as well. Similar sentiments shown on the last page of The Hoard of Mhorrer.
So this is a huge, MASSIVE THANKS to everyone who has begged, borrowed and stole to give me that support. It won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
So what of the photos? Well, foolishly I forgot to bring my camera with me, so I’ll be “begging” friends and family to e-mail pics to me from the launch. They should be pretty good, especially the moment I’m almost arrested by an officer from the Metropolitan Police… ahem.
I’ll post them as soon as I get them either here or on the website.
And that’s not all. There’ll also be more gumph about the launch on this blog in the next week or so, including details of a conversation where I believe I’ve committed myself to writing a classic pulp horror novel, the like that hasn’t been seen for a good twenty years or so (when horror was truly king). It should be fun – but where the hell do I get the time to do it? (Anyone have a time-machine, or perhaps a device that can split one’s being into two or more identical selves?)
And if you live in London you might find a few copies of the paperback of The Secret War in the 3 for 2s at Waterstone’s Piccadilly and Borders Oxford Street (I’ve been busy, you see… signings and launches, and yet another short story: “May Contain Traces of Nuts” – but more of that later).
I have to admit, London is growing on me more and more. And I should be returning there more and more in the future.
(But, I confess, it’s always good to be back in Sheffield.)
Whew. Anyway, that’s it. All that promotional stuff has taken my eye off the writing. Must get back to it again - “…Nuts” is beckoning and I’ve but two weeks left before I start draft 3 of The Black Hours.
So many thanks again. It wouldn’t have been the same without you…
MFWC
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