Christine Mustchin - another Waterstone's signing

First of all some thoughts on last Saturday's signing. I learnt how important the blurb on the back of the book is. When browsing it is usually the first thing people look at when they pick up a book. I guess that the cover and title are the deciders in whether to pick up the book or not but, after that, it seems to be the blurb that does the selling. And how difficult it is to get right - I can certainly vouch for that.

On the strength of the book sales on Saturday I phoned Waterstone's Haywards Heath branch and go a positive response to my enquiry about a book signing there - so much so that the date is already fixed for Saturday 9 October.

Meantime I am following up the bookshops and was delighted that City Books have sold the copy I left with them and have taken a second. It's so good to have a friendly local independent bookstore. They are becoming such a rarity nowadays. Christine Mustchin.

Christine Mustchin - Waterstone's book signing

Well it's done. My first book signing. First of all thanks to the Waterstone's guys for being so helpful and welcoming and providing tips on how best to handle the signing. They advised going and talking to people so this is exactly what I did. Targeting the person to approach and then opening a conversation without appearing obtrusive was crucial. Just occasionally I got it wrong but mostly I found people very happy to talk about their experience of reading and interested in what I was doing. I managed to sell 25 out of the 30 books that Waterstone's had ordered and signed the remaining 5 for them to put on sale in the shop. It was hard work but worth it. Very tired today as I existed for over 6 hours on a small bottle of water, one banana and some chocolates. My choice as I didn't want to miss a moment. One great part of the day was a visit from my father who had made the journey by train to make sure he didn't miss the day. Peter took him out to lunch and then put him back on the train. Amazing and he had a chance to recommend the book to the over 65s in converstation with a journalist who wanted to offer it as a prize to this age group. Nothing like expanding horizons. Christine Mustchin.

Christine Mustchin - Waterstone's and on

A view of Waterstone's from the top deck of bus today in the company of grandchildren aged 5 and 7. I wonder what it will be like to be the subject of a book signing? I have support from the United Authors group who have been emailed about the signing and I hope a couple of people will turn up to support. My father is keen to come even if he has to come by train from Portsmouth. What determination at 86 years of age.

Another opportunity has presented itself and I must not turn it down. I have been given a contact at Sussex Radio, again through United Authors. An interview would certainly be a new experience. Christine Mustchin.

Christine Mustchin - book signing Waterstone's

The grandchildren are staying at the moment so not much in the way of promotion of From Nemesis Island this week. Did pop into Waterstone's to see advance publicity for book signing on Saturday. They have used their own posters - simple black and white and not the ones I took in which feature the book cover itself as the poster background. I assume they will use the A3 ones for the display though. Anyway there was a copy of the book in the window so everything is certainly on track. Christine Mustchin.