You are all beautiful people. Whenever I feel a bit despondent, I think of the 135 people who have faith in this project. We'll get there, by hook or by crook! (Well, hopefully not by crooked means but you know what I mean).
In Kenilworth where I live, we have two totally wonderful bookshops: Kenilworth Books and The Treehouse Bookshop. Both have been fantastically supportive of me and of the book. We're really lucky in that both complement each other really well. Kenilworth Books have gained a reputation that extends across the country it seems, championing many writers and the cause of independent bookshops. The Treehouse Bookshop sells second-hand books and is a community hub, with regular music events as well as the Open Mic evening.
Cards on the table, I have no problem speaking to an audience really, especially if it's a class full of kids, but the prospect often fills me with anxiety. Social situations can be a challenge for me sometimes, but I guess I'm not unique in that. So it was that I approached the Open Mic with some trepidation, but I needn't have worried. I was warmly welcomed and my reading from Chapter Ten of 100 Years seemed to go down well. I even had a comparison made to 'Birdsong', which I didn't quite know how to take - not exactly Faulks here - but it went with other unsolicited feedback that the reading was "poetic" and "not a word wasted". I'll take that, thank you.
As soon as we hit 50%, I'm going to post an extract from the aforementioned chapter ten as an update.
I could do with a bit of a boost to get us there sooner, though! Please recommend the book to your friends, especially as this long run-up to Christmas starts. What better gift for a book-lover or WW1 enthusiast to know that their name is listed as a supporter, immortalised forever in the pages of the next 'Birdsong'? (A bit cheeky I know but, hey, it's not me who said it!)
I'm about to take delivery of some lovely bookmarks and a new roller banner to promote the book, starting at The Tiltyard in Kenilworth on Monday 16th September, at a pampering and shopping event. Hey, one has to reach those Faulks fans somehow.
