The Joy of Author Talks

On Wednesday I took a trip out to the far reaches of Fife, to the wee town of Auchtermuchty. I think I can even roll my ch’s and pronounce this lovely name correctly. It is set in beautiful, I was going to say rolling countryside, making the journey from where I live quite enjoyable.

If you are an author and you have never given a talk, I can highly recommend it. Around thirty ladies and gentlemen were so appreciative and attentive, that it was a pleasure experience.

My talk this time was ‘early female aviators.’ When I say early I mean around WW1, and even before. I end this talk by showing an amateur video (taken by myself) of clips of the old aircraft at The Shuttleworth Collection, Bedfordshire, which I have already shared with you a couple of time on this blog.

A virtual Tour of The Shuttleworth Collection

which has a vivid description of an extra special air display we attended in 2012.

…and here’s a little video on my Facebook Page.

I hope I came a long way in redressing the balance in the knowledge of these daring, invincible and determined ladies of the past, who overcame prejudices which we would find hard to imagine today.

Anyway, I would like to thank the folks of Auchtermuchty for their warm welcome, as too was my talk at Cupar Probus a few weeks earlier.

One wonderful thing about giving an author talk is, if it is successful, you invariably meet someone who invites you to a different venue at a later date.

Ce La Vie!

Book Blogger Hop ~ Signed Books 13th to 20th August

13th to 20th August

QUESTION: HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN A BOOK SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR

A big yes to this one. If I see there’s a book signing at a bookshop I will usually (until the last 18 months) pop by and speak with the author. If they are famous I may leave it, but if there are only a few folks about I’ll give them some encouragement and buy a signed copy.

Here are just a few of my signed books on my book shelf.

I met Liz Harris, author of The Road Back; Ben Hatch, author of Are we Nearly There and Adam Croft in different bookshops. I met Adam Croft, now a famous Indie author and prolific writer, in Ampthill bookshop. This was his very first mystery, well before he was well known, at the very beginning of his writing career. I actually bought two books and he quipped

“Will you sell them when I’m famous!’

Two of the books above were at author talks; that’s You, Me Always by Jill Mansell given at Kirkcaldy library and EAST of WEST, WEST of EAST by Hamish Brown at Kinghorn Library.

I met Victoria Howard at a stall when she was attending Glamis Castle Classic Car Show.

Why do I support indie and trad authors in this way?

• Because I enjoy meeting and encouraging other writers,
• Because I like to think the reading of the book will be much more insightful having met the author,
• and finally because I do book signings myself and appreciate the support of others too.

If you want to know more about Book Blogger Hop here’s a link.

If you would like a signed copy of Search for the Pearl Inside Yourself as a gift for a young adult who is struggling to know what to do next, send me an email on diana@dianamaryjackson.co.uk or dianariduna@yahoo.com and I’ll send you a free copy if you live in the UK. (5 copies to giveaway in August!)

Book Launch ~ a Positive Postponement

A Positive Postponement

I had intended to launch my new novel this autumn. This promise has been hanging over me until just now, when I read one of my favourite blogs for information, hints and advice regarding self publishing.

BOOKSDESIGNER.COM

This suddenly set me free. I’m nowhere near ready for a book launch this autumn and I suddenly decided to postpone it. No guilt, no anxious fretting ~ just peace.

Family Comes First

Family matters have been taking up 90% of my time of late and in the end family comes first. Instead of being disappointed it has made me quite excited, because out of the fog of indecision and thanks to bookdesigner.com I now have a plan to follow.

Proper Preparation for a Book Launch

You see, I’ve been going to write a plan for weeks now, but I have just never found the time or the space to think.

I hope my new novel will be published in the spring of next year but meanwhile I’ll let you know each step I’m taking to make it ready. Instead of being depressed about this I feel empowered.

I hope this post can be an encouragement to others.

best wishes

Diana