Photo: © P.Hardy
My last library talk…for now. Though I’m always happy to do more, since the audiences are always warm, attentive and full of questions about my book. They’re readers after all, why else would they be in a library? Of course I always hope they’ll borrow my book from the library, and some do, but plenty also buy a copy, which is great!
So far, I’ve spoken only in Somerset libraries. Dorset and Wiltshire feel like the next step, so I’ll start contacting the ones closest to Frome. I usually suggest other writer friends that they approach libraries. The staff welcoming, the audiences smaller than at festivals but no less engaged, and the conversations afterwards are often the best part. Extra points go to libraries like Midsomer Norton, where tea, coffee and biscuits follow the talk!
This time, it was lovely to see couple of fellow Frome writers in the audience: Sian Williams, co-committee member from Frome Writers Collective, and my friend Jane Hughes. Both have recently published books. In fact, I’ll be interviewing Jane at her book launch at the Archangel in Frome on 1 May. Being on the other side of the stage will make a nice change.
At the end of April, I’ll be at Bournemouth Writing Festival, where I’m hosting a breakfast for memoir writers. The festival itself is free; you just pay for any talks and workshops you attend. The ‘genre meals’ are also free, although you need to book – and pay for your food, of course. I’m curious to see how a hosted breakfast works – and looking forward to a new festival!
