Abbey treasure, hoards, signings and walks

At signing at Preston Waterstones with happy customer

Getting the next few weeks sorted out some kind invitations to do signings for new book "Guy the Grumpy Gargoyle" and "Out of Time" and  more school bookings. Just at the right time because I felt a bit worried that things were stalling somewhat. However I still need to get my marketing strategy right and I recognise this is not my forte! I need a PA -preferably who would do the phoning for love and get me a serious touring calendar  sorted! I know it is crucial and I will have to address it and not keep getting distracted!

Exciting days ahead-we have the viewing of the fantastic abbey finds and the viking hoard (Dock Mseum)...I can't wait and will be at the abbey first thing tomorrow! I will be down there at the Abbey Cafe too-Jackie has kindly agreed to my signing copies of the book in conjunction with the exhibition so hopefully a few visitors from further afield will show an interest!

Some of the Dystonia teams 2011 K2B

However, I will be squeezing in a short practice walk for the Keswick to Barrow walk which is next weekend. Sponsorship has gone well-but if anyone would like to sponsor me do get in touch-I'm walking in aid of dystonia and am in charge of 5 teams this year plus one for Bluebirds Study Centre. So next week expect a blog about the experiences on the day and hopefully pictures too! Its special too because the first walk I did in 2006 was on 12 May-which was my dad's birthday and the first one after we lost him...which made it quite emotional...and its the 12th again this year...so this one is for him (he would be gob smacked at me doing this because I was always very sport and exercise averse much to his disappointment). If you're about next week look out for the lovely green dystonia t shirts and give us a beep or a wave! This week is...

Good end to the week

Done some training again this week for Keswick to Barrow Walk. Its been good walking weather and only a month left to train. We had a successful meeting of Furness and South Lakes group of the Dystonia Society. We are planning a Tea Party for Awareness week on 19th May at St Pauls Church Hall at 2pm Tickets are available now at £2-for which you get tea/coffee and a scone and a cake-bargain!

Completed Out of Time 2 and edited this week. Sent it up to the publisher and it has been accepted which is good news. We are set to have it available before Christmas which is perfect! Can't wait  but its always daunting as to whether people will like it! I will be revising the website and start the publicity drive for Guy the Grumpy Gargoyle which will be out by summer.


Tomorrow is another big day I'm signing at Preston Waterstones. I always feel nervous before hand but its nice to meet new people and Waterstones are very accommodating and helpful which makes it easier. Hopefully, I will do well and be able to encourage people to buy the book! I'll let you know later.

Introducing...

http://www.troubador.co.uk/image/books/GuytheGrumpyGargoyle.jpg
 Well here he is at last...introducing Guy the grumpiest gargoyle you could ever meet! Look at the link to the Troubador website and find out about this new story. It has been tried out on a number of youngsters in local schools and it has gone down very well! The publication date is set at 1 August but I hope it may be sooner...will let you know!


Final tweaking this weekend of Raven's Hoard too...quite excited about finishing it and hope that it may be out for Christmas-fingers crossed. 


Preparations in order for the filming next week-permissions received from English Heritage, National Trust and St George's church so all we need now is reasonable weather! Then the weekend after next I'm at Waterstone's Preston for a book signing-so hope to reach a wider audience again. 


Big push over the next couple of weeks to get some practice in for Keswick to Barrow Walk-will have to ditch the current trainers-caused some really bad blisters and has set me back. I am going to retrieve the year before lasts but feel a bit unhappy about them...oh and I am still accepting sponsorship in aid of the Dystonia Society...