Through the Glass Brightly - In Waterstone's Window - 9 Day Blog - Day 8.
Once again - faces first. Please enjoy... xxx
That's the faces for today. :-) So - in other news... I had to leave the window today to do my 'How to Get Published' workshop. I was double-booked and annoyingly couldn't run a worshop and sit in the window at the same time. And I couldn't bear to leave for more than an hour, so my kind friend Daisy Jones and I ran there. I invited everyone there to my home for either Saturday or Sunday next week for an entire day just so that I could get back to my window sooner. They're getting a good deal because I gave them one hour of a two hour workshop anyway to tell them what they need to prepare and now they will get a full day in a small group and all for free.
It's a good thing I ran back to the window as I arrived just in time to find a new friend called Rakesh arriving with Champagne (anyone who brings Champagne is classed as 'friend' immediately. :-) Some glasses were found and before long there was a party at one end of Waterstone's with book signing and Champagne drinking. The copies of 'The Battersea Park Road to Enlightenment' and 'For Tibet, With Love' have sold out completely. I've had to bring in my own personal stash and lend books to Waterstone's as they have been selling so fast that they haven't been able to keep up. Tomorrow I have a full day and I think we'll be sold out of all the titles by closing time. I'm even running out of red balloons.
Which brings me to a tragic subject: the last day. For all those that asked why I'm not staying longer... well, I did offer. I am a great believer in the saying, 'ask for what you want.' So I asked whether I could stay for another week. It really feels as if they party is just starting. People in St John's Road know that I'm there and more of them are starting to arrive with questions - 'How can It I help my mother get her book published?' 'How much does a ghost writer charge?' 'Can I have a balloon for my sister today?' - But alas - tomorrow really is to be the last day. It seems that budgets and window space have been allocated and there are other priorites beside an author in a red dress and a plastic dog. I can't believe that I offered to do another week. But as it is I will be returning to what is sometimes called, 'normal' life.
So if you have been intending to come and visit - please come tomorrow. Waterstone's 'Clapham Junction' (it's actually in Battersea but has that name as it's so close to Clapham Junction Station) opens at 11am and closes at 5pm. I will not leave the window for more than 5 mins at any point unless I'm standing immediately inside the shop and signing books for presents for people. If you are coming and have my number please call before you come as I may ask you to bring water, tea or something green.
The rest of the events for the SW11 Literary Festival are filling up well. I'll be attending the Mark Thomas event this Tuesday (just love him) and I will be speaking myself on Thursday. If you would like to come to either of these evenings or see all the other events that are happening you can find the entire programme and details of how to book here: SW11 Literary Festival Or pick up a brochure and buy tickes in Waterstone's if you can visit.
Meanwhile I love sharing with you all that I am seeing. It will be strange tomorrow. I am so at happy on my rug and cushions looking out with my camera and making people smile. I would never have imagined that the window of a bookshop could feel so much like home.
xxx isabel
