Last Thursday, The Saturday Girls, my novel about mod girls in the Sixties, was published by Bonnier Zaffre. The day was very exciting in a quiet sort of way. Quite unexpectedly, my niece first thing went to her local Sainsbury’s with her two sons (3 and 1) and sent me a photo of them in the trolley, holding copies of the book. It was such a lovely surprise and quite moving – that she should do that, and also that the boys should sit quietly and hold the book nicely. I have to say, other photos show them considering eating the books, but hey.
I then cruised round North London and visited any Sainsbury’s I could see (2) – and there it was on the shelves. I lounged around for a bit, but I began to worry about security and so left, quietly proud.
My publisher sent me the most wonderful flowers,
Our local Waterstones said they’d like to do an event (more later). There was coffee and wine consumed in local cafes and bars, and more flowers. To round off the day I went out for a meal at our local neighbourhood Italian restaurant Passione e Tradizione . It’s quite new and quite simple but it does (amongst other things) fabulously delicate and lovely bruschetta.
And then I got home to find that a book blogger ( @glued_to_pages) had posted a lovely review on Instagram.
A great day.
Since then I have spent the week answering requests from more book bloggers to write for their blogs, pieces with titles such as ‘When I was a Saturday Girl’, ‘Writing as a Second Career’ and ‘My Writing Day’. One blogger sent a questionnaire with a really thought provoking (for me) series of questions, one of which was – list three books that changed your life.I chose 6 of course, starting with Voyage in the Dark by Jean Rhys and Echoing Grove by Rosamond Lehmann. I wonder what you’d choose… When I know when these pieces will be published, I’ll put the info on here.
Yesterday I went to Chelmsford. I spoke to the manager of Foyles about an event – more of that later. Even though it was pouring with rain it was lovely to see the book in the window.
Then I went to visit Auntie Rita who has a small flat in the centre of town – you have to pass the Shire Hall, the magistrates’ court, the Crown Court and the police station to get to it, which always brings back memories. Over coffee and half an iced bun each, she suggested that she and my cousins J and J who still live in Chelmsford should all go to the local Sainsbury’s in Boreham and form a queue trying to get at the book, as seen on TV on the first day of the Sales. I said perhaps there could be a small amount of struggling to make it look really desirable. But then we decided that J & J would never do that although I think Auntie Rita (90) was up for it.
Dates for your diary – next week I shall be on BBC London Radio (Tuesday 4 September 10.30) talking to Robert Elms, and then BBC Radio Essex (Friday 2pm) talking to Tony Fisher about the book.
Now it’s off to Paris. Expect more pictures of coffee cups.
