The Ringmaster!

I put the photo in my Google library and I managed to get it on wordpress.

This is me, at the carnival, without my red coat.

Luckily it wasn’t a waste of time as I sold some books!

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What a Day!

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Broadwater had a Carnival Day yesterday , combined with the fire Station Open Day. There were stalls, a fancy dress competition, demonstrations by belly dancers, kung fu children and adults, music and lots of delicious food and drink on offer.

Th weather was hot and most stalls had gazebos but Elaine and I had a little table with our books displayed and an umbrella to act as a parasol in the sunshine. We had selected the books with a Worthing theme but we were on the less obvious part of the field, backing on to what would have been the dog show arena if it hadn’t been too hot to hold it.

We did take it in turns to walk round and see the charity stalls, have a go on the tombolas, admire the craft stalls and chat the to the scouts and cadets.

It was helpful to be next door to the ‘Inside Tarring’ stall where other writers congregated, especially as the editor had given me a superb write-up in July’s issue.However, folk who came up and said ‘ We saw you in the magazine’ did not seem eager to discover more about my books and Elaine had a customer before I did.

Did I put them off with my funny hat? I tried to fit in with the ‘Circus’ theme of the day but I took off the red coat as it was too hot. I can’t get my picture to come up so I’ve put on one of a country singer as the one disappointment was that the folk group booked to play couldn’t compete with the disco music and went home early.

By the end of the day we both felt it had been worthwhile but exhausting and I spent most of the evening asleep!

Musical tea party

Worthing Friendship Centre members had a lovely summer tea with musical accompaniment by Peter Ridge, who played all the old standards so that we could sing along. The English Martyrs Barn in Goring is a perfect venue for such events and we are moving there permanently in September.

The church is noted for its recreation of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Folk evening

Last night, at the Willows folk club in Arundel we heard a band called ‘Porchlight Smoker’ and they were a revelation. Four musicians with a variety of instruments, including a Syrian drum, a mandolin, a banjo, guitars and a bass. They could all sing and gave us a selection of bluesy numbers. I didn’t want them to stop.

Today we are preparing for Broadwater Carnival where Elaine and I are having a stall with our books for sale. The theme is ‘Circus’ but as we are not in the parade there is no requirement for us to dress up. However, I may make a tiny effort, just for the fun of it.

At least I could try to get a picture. Sorry I didn’t take one of Porchlight Smoker.

The UK Southern Book Show.

On 28th October, at Field Place in Worthing we are having another UK Southern Book Show.This is the perfect opportunity for authors who do not get a lot of exposure to show what they have been writing and publishing. There is always a great variety of books on display with videos, refreshments and a friendly casual atmosphere unlike events in the capital. Along with talks, discussions and readings this promises to be even better than the one in the Spring. Stands are being booked already so if you are interested try http://www.uksouthernbookshow.co.uk.

Veterans Summer Fayre

The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home in Worthing had its Summer Fayre on Saturday and we went along to watch the marching bands and have a go on the tombolas. There was also a display of motor bikes so instead of posting a photo of the band I’ll use the one I took of them.

The band was the 1066 Pipes and Drums and the Eastbourne Scottish Pipe Band and there was also a man setting off loads of bubbles which thrilled the children. We won a bottle of wine which was dry so we’ll probably give it to another raffle and a bottle of apple shampoo. It was very hot and there seemed to be fewer people than usual – perhaps due to the football. England came fourth in the World Cup.

Local promotion

I have had an interesting week as, after the book launch, a local magazine printed an article about me which I have reproduced on my pages. Then the local newspaper decided to print my thank you letter to the Pavilion Cafe/bar together with a photo I sent them just on the off chance they might use it one day and it took up a quarter of a page!

I had my first comment from someone who enjoyed ‘A Bend in the Lane’ and said they had read it straight through. It’s easy to do that with my novels as they are only about 200 pages long.

The UK Southern Book Show is on again in October so we have another event to look forward to, as well as the Broadwater Carnival on Saturday. I’ll be there all day and hope to make some more sales which result in reviews as Goodreads list books by popularity and I need to get the new book on the first page of my dashboard.

So far I am resisting a free giveaway but if someone who has read my previous books asks for a copy I’ll send one in return for a review, even if they are abroad.