Here I am, back in Boston. I’m here to see my beloved Number 2 Son and hang around with The Big D while he goes to some meetings. Then next weekend, I’m off to Washington D.C. to go to the wedding of my friend’s daughter. So given that schedule, I have done what an self-respecting self-promoting writer will do — I’ve set up events. Over the coming week, I’ll be presenting my work at four different venues in Boston and Connecticut, each one very different, each one exciting. To all my Bostonian and Connecticuter (?) friends out there, please do come along if you can, say hi and lend some support.
Boston
Friday, 14 October: I will be giving an informal reading and book signing of my new poetry collection, Her Life Collected, at The Grolier Poetry Bookshop, 6 Plympton Street Harvard Square from 1-3 pm. Drop in at any time. If you don’t know the bookstore, it’s a gem — crammed to overflowing with books stacked on tables and shelves, delightfully quirky people who work there. It’s worth checking out whether I’m there or not.
Saturday, 15 October: I will be hanging around, chatting about my novel, A Clash of Innocents, all day at the Boston Book Fest, Copley Plaza. From 10 am to 5 pm or so, I’ll be found standing at the table of the pr firm called Authoright. This has turned into a huge annual event for book lovers of all sorts. Again, you might want to go in any case.
Connecticut
Wednesday, 19 October: I’ll be giving a formal sit-down presentation of my novel, A Clash of Innocents, including a talk about present day Cambodia and how I am using the novel to help effect social change there now. This will be at The Bank Square Bookstore, 53 West Main Street, Mystic, from 5-7. I hear this is a wonderful, very independent bookstore with a great speaker series. I’m thrilled to be able to be included in it.
I’ll also be talking to the students at the Watkinson School in Hartford the following day, but that of course is closed to the public.
Last summer, I held several events on Martha’s Vineyard, but these events now are really a way of testing the waters beyond the Cape Cod Canal. Sure, I grew up in America, but my adult life and my writing career has been spent in the UK. Will the States be interested in the work of one of its wandering daughters? Fingers crossed.
Sue, you are amazing. A real inspiration – I hope many aspiring writers are watching how hard you are working. Kudos. And have a wonderful time at all the reunions and celebrations!
Thanks so much, V! I really appreciate it.
Like Vanessa, I’m amazed. Three events in a few days in two states on what must have started out as a few days break!
I’m going to start taking notes!
Joe