Ahoy me Hearties!
It’s been a while since I wrote a blog, and I’ve lots to tell you.
In a nutshell, my health has improved (hooray!), I’ve joined a writing group (Leicester Writers’ Club), restarted NIBS, been abroad for the first time since I had covid, AND published Pear Tree Pirates! I will be aiming to update the website over the summer, because I realised I’m not up to date with my publications (terrible!) and I have a list of blog posts I want to write too.
But this post is about Pear Tree Pirates - my latest picture book to be published.
I officially launched it at the Newark Book Festival as I had a stall in the Literature Village on the Sunday. Mr Squidge came with me again, as we’d had a very busy few days prior and I wasn’t sure how tired I’d be or how well I’d manage the day.
I’d always said that if PTP was published in time for Newark, I’d dress up - so I did!
Posing as a pirate in front of the stall
I’d borrowed some children’s dress up clothes from a friend, but nothing fitted apart from the accessories! So I dug out an old white shirt, bought some very cheap stripy leggings, added the belt, sword, and my own boots. I did have to buy the hat from a costume shop - it was so wide, I kept knocking into various things! Being dressed as a pirate definitely got lots of attention on the day, including from the official festival photographer, and the Korean/Japanese tourists who were visiting Newark…
Getting papped by the official photographer
I’d put together some free goody bags to give out with the first ten copies of PTP sold…I was clearly far too optimistic, because I only gave out three. Three copies of my newest book sold, that’s all. It was pretty disappointing, but I don’t think it was anything to do with the book itself. The event was being held during a persistent heatwave with temperatures around 30 degrees Centigrade daily, on the day after England’s late kick-off match with Norway in the World Cup. There were very few punters at all until about midday; it felt like a very quiet day throughout, and definitely not many children around who are - of course - my target audience. But that’s the way it goes sometimes. You can’t ever guarantee attendance numbers, or the weather, or that your particular product will be of any interest to those visiting the event. You just have to keep a smile on your face, hope for at least one sale, and keep your fingers crossed for a different experience next time. I did come home to find two requests for PTP books and a confirmed sale via Amazon, so that was nice.
As always, it was lovely to chat to folk and talk about booky things, so I don’t consider it a wasted day. On the upside, I have about half a pound of pear drop pips to eat now!
If you’d like to find out what the Pear Tree Pirates get up to in their imaginary world, it’s available to purchase from all good booksellers