Arriving at Waterstones Tunbridge Wells on a chilly, damp November night with boxes of bubbly, large photos, banner stand, a bag of nibbles from Waitrose and a fair bit of nervous energy, we soon set up.
One or two guests arrived early and were roped in to setting up the drinks table and putting postcards on seats. Photos on easel, glasses on table and notes found – we were ready to go. Shortly before seven, guests flowed in, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Tunbridge Wells and one of PERFIDITAS’s endorsers, the historic novelist Jean Fullerton.
After half an hour’s greeting, kissing cheeks and mingling, we settled down and I let the audience into the world of Roma Nova and talked about how I’d build that world and its history and landscape and importantly, how I’d developed the main characters.
They were a wonderful audience and grilled me about Roma Nova with some sharp questions. I love the audience being so engaged with my alternate world!
We mingled a little more then I signed books and was able to chat to everybody for a few minutes. When I wrote my name for the last time, it seemed as if only half an hour had passed, but it was two and half hours since we’d entered the shop!
A second launch isn’t like the first – then you are a novelty, especially to your friends who are astounded you actually wrote a book! The second is a meeting of enthusiasts, some of whom came to the first launch and some who discovered the first book in a different way, and of others who are discovering Roma Nova for the first time. A magical evening.
If you missed the launch evening, but would like an author signed paperback copy of PERFIDITAS, you can order your copy here.
Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers, INCEPTIO, and PERFIDITAS. Third in series, SUCCESSIO, is now out.
Going on local radio is something all writers hope to do. Not only does it reinforce local roots, or reconnect to them, but it’s a chance for them to chat about their latest book.
Radio stations, especially the BBC, have a remit to ‘inform, educate and entertain’ and need a continuing supply of interesting content, especially about people who live and work in their areas. Different shows have different slants, so it’s essential to know the programmes the station broadcasts. You also learn some interesting stuff!
But for me, a Tunbridge Wells girl, it’s the approachability and warm welcome I’ve found from BBC Radio Kent and in particular Pat Marsh who plays the greatest music from the 1960s/70s (Ronettes – yeah!). So when Pat invited me back after our first on air chat about INCEPTIO, I was delighted to accept.
But it wasn’t just to talk about PERFIDITAS, my new book, although I did mention it! In his gentle voice and genial manner, he asked me about the writing process itself, how I’d started writing the Roma Nova series and started my fourth career – writing! He referred to the reviews INCEPTIO had garnered and was intrigued by how much readers loved this alternate world. And just before I went into the studio, Pat’s friendly, efficient colleague Laura Earl told me he had read PERFIDITAS from cover to cover.
Well, I can’t hope to be as eloquent as Sally Zigmond in her lovely post ‘Being a historical pioneer‘ She described the sense of delicious enjoyment from the high calibre talks, the friendliness of everybody attending, the temptation of book-buying and the happy chats around bar tables. Yes, of course wine was drunk…
The clocks going back gifted us an extra hour on Sunday morning – perfect for enjoying a full English breakfast (minus black pudding in my case) in The Old Swan dining room whose walls were decorated with intricate plasterwork topped by a small-paned glass ceiling.
Plenty of coffee later, delegates reconvened in the ballroom to hear a panel discussion on ‘Before Sherlock – The Novel Art of Detection’ with Andrew Taylor gently grilling Lloyd Shepherd, Joan Lock, Nick Rennison and Robert Ryan. They led us through law and order procedures based on guesswork and prejudice, the emergence of organised police forces and a more scientific, stuctured approach to solving crime as well as touching on fiction v. fact and the early historical mystery writers.
Kate Mosse, wearing her signature platdorm shoes, concluded the featival on an appropriate high. Famous as the creative force behind the Women’s Prize for Fiction, originally named the Orange Prize, she was Interviewed by festival chair, Manda Scott, and didn’t disappoint.
Smiling, obviously enthused about the Languedoc and Sussex countrysides, she talked about the motivation behind the Labyrinth, Sepulchre and Citadel trilogy and introduced her collection odf short stories, The Mistletoe Bride & Other WinterTales.
Manda Scott finished the festival by thanking speakers, organisers and delegates for making the weekend such a success. Nobody ever sees the hard work behind such events when it goes so smoothly. Hats off to Manda and her team for giving us a magical few days.
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Friends, bubbly, books – what could be better?
After half an hour’s greeting, kissing cheeks and mingling, we settled down and I let the audience into the world of Roma Nova and talked about how I’d build that world and its history and landscape and importantly, how I’d developed the main characters.
A second launch isn’t like the first – then you are a novelty, especially to your friends who are astounded you actually wrote a book! The second is a meeting of enthusiasts, some of whom came to the first launch and some who discovered the first book in a different way, and of others who are discovering Roma Nova for the first time. A magical evening.
