My First Author Event: Speaking at London Book Fair 2019

I knew that I would do author events once The Choice was published, but I never expected to be asked to speak at London Book Fair (LBF). This time last year I was hoping an agent would sign me and take my book to sell at the fair. It didn't happen and I was disappointed, but it turns out there was something far more exciting waiting for me.

Good Housekeeping wanted to run an author panel at LBF on entering writing competitions. As the winner of the previous Good Housekeeping Novel Competition, they asked me if I would like to take part, along with my agent Amanda Preston and Clare Hey, head of Orion (my publisher). 

​I couldn't quite believe it when I got the email, it would be my first author event, which was hugely exciting, if a little daunting. I wondered what I had to offer the audience. All I have is my own experience, so I decided to speak from that.

The Health Challenges

Travelling with my ME/energy requirements can be tricky. I need extra time to recover from the journey. I was worried it might be a barrier to going, but my agent, editor and Orion couldn't have been more supportive or accommodating. We stayed at a fab hotel just down the road from Olympia and I was able to pace my energy and enjoy the day.

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LBF, Olympia & Author HQ

If you've never been to an event at Olympia, or a big conference style exhibition, it's hard to describe the chaos and mass of people. We got lost twice on the way to meeting my editor, despite asking for directions twice and having a map. It was crazy, loud and there were so many people!

I was pleased to see other people in wheelchairs, but I always find it a little disconcerting being physically lower than everyone else, especially in a big crowd; it feels claustrophobic.

I hadn't anticipated how many people would be at the Author HQ panel. I thought we might be lucky to get ten, possibly twenty people there. I was wrong. It was completely packed, with over a hundred people (best guess!) and more milling around the area.

I was surprisingly calm, I think all the public speaking at WI has helped. I didn't love wearing the microphone though, it looked like I was going to be a backup singer for Madonna!

Photo: London Book Fair. Jo Finney, Amanda Preston, Claire Wade, Clare Hey.

I had fun answering the questions; Jo Finney from Good Housekeeping compared the event and it was very relaxed and friendly. The audience were really engaged and asked lots of questions. Everybody wanted to know how to win a competition and even though I've done it, I'm still not sure quite how I did.

My best advice is to keep writing, follow your dream and tell a story that ignites a passion and enthusiasm within you. That's what I did with The Choice and it worked well for me.

​When I'm not writing...

I've read: Less by Andrew Sean Greer

I'm listening to: Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

I'm making: A crocheted Harry Potter house scarf blanket

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The Choice is available to pre-order from Amazon, Waterstones, Book Depository

DETAILS
Title: The Choice
Published: 26th December 2019
Publisher: Orion
ISBN: 1409187748