The weather people were forecasting a thunderstorm; the card reader was refusing to co-operate; and a dental appointment had left me on painkillers, with one hamster cheek and a rapidly blooming bruise. What else could go wrong with my talk at Abingdon Library, the library’s first live event since you-know-what?
Nothing, as it turned out. Or, at least …. I’ll come back to that. In the event, by the evening of 9th September the weather had calmed down, my Elephant Woman look had subsided, and the wonderful library staff swiftly found a way round the whole card reader issue.
In fact, I can’t speak for everyone else but for me the whole evening was a treat. It was so good to meet people in the flesh, so to speak. There was a decent turnout: some loyal friends, plus a gratifying number of new faces, all of them friendly, I’m happy to report. People listened attentively to my rambling thoughts on writing, publishing and promoting a comic novel, as well as memories of my days as a comedy scriptwriter for BBC radio and television. They laughed in the appropriate places when I read a short extract and asked thought-provoking questions that were within my ability to answer at the end. And afterwards I signed copies. Even the wine was excellent. Phew!
So thank you, Abingdon Library, especially Jessica Williams and Jane Dulieu, for entrusting me with the honour of kicking off your new season of live events. Thank you to the award-winning Mostly Books for supplying copies of Note to Boy, especially Jack for doing his best with that pesky card reader link. Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended.
And that final thing to go wrong? I don’t have any photographs of me in full flow. The ones here were taken by me beforehand. But take it from me, I looked super glam and was hilarious, the packed room was in stitches, and everyone had the best time.
If you’re connected to an Oxfordshire library and would like me to come along and talk to you about me and Note to Boy, please do get in touch via this website. I’ll try to remember the photos next time!