So, on Thursday I went to a book launch for the first time*. Fiona Shaw’s Tell It To The Bees. Fiona and I go to the same dance class, hence the invite.

It was held at the local Waterstones after hours. There was (slightly warm) wine, but no nibbles. It’s not a particularly large shop, and like most of York it’s been cobbled together out of multiple Victorian and Georgian units originally built on different levels. Shelves and stands had been scooted out of the way to make space for about 100 chairs and a small stand at the front. The chairs were filled and there were plenty of people standing.

The book was published by Tindal Street Press, who put out about six ‘regional’ (i.e. not set in London) books a year, a significant proportion of which get longlisted for various national prizes. As far as I gathered it was the head of the company who actually ran the formal part of the evening. He was obviously not a public speaker, but he seemed experienced with running Book Launches. Intro, a reading, Q&A, a reading, some thanks yous, a final reading, and then onto the signing.

So, overall thoughts? It’s a cash cow for Waterstones, especially since the book fell under their 3 for 2 promo; most people in the audience bought a copy, several bought three, and a lot of people bought it and two other books at random.  The whole evening is fairly straight forward (if you’re not confident reading aloud, get thee to a writer’s group); I was expecting it to be similar to an exhibition opening at a gallery, but apart from the wine it really wasn’t.

Most people there were friends of Fiona. That’s what threw me; I don’t think I could fill a room like that. I know more than a hundred people (facebook even tells me I’m friends with them!) but how many would come out after work for a glass of cheap wine and an obligation to buy at £10 paperback? Two rows of close friends, maybe four including people there for the wine. Another row of people I know from work, and I guess a row of family.  That still leaves at least four rows! I think it probably gets easier when most of your friends have their own families. One friend plus spouse plus children equals four seats, right?

I’m being glib. Even Fiona said she’d not had a turn out like this before. I think the fact it’s her third novel, and fourth book, that really helped. And, let’s make note, she was inviting people she sees for an hour a week at a dance class**; that’s how you do it, you invite every single person you have a passing acquaintance with and hope half of them turn up. Even a low key book launch isn’t something for the faint-hearted. As always, you’ve got to sell yourself!

As for the book; well I’m going to get started on it this evening. Lesbians in the 50s in rural Yorkshire? It’s right up my street, anyway 🙂

*My normal syntax would be “I went to my first book launch”, but of course that suggests it’s “my book launch” rather than “my first”. I only mention it because I find that interesting.

**About half of us came, and it was quickly obvious that out of context most of us can’t remember each other’s names!