An eventful library event

Apologies for a belated report on last week’s library event, when a small but friendly crowd (not all arm-twisted by me!) greeted us in Emersons Green library to celebrate e-books in general and ours (that’s Thornberry publishing) in particular.

Well our crowd was friendly but there was a bit of a diversion when the local constabulary decided to weigh in and sort out some local yobbery hanging around outside. Said yobs were marched in to the library and lined up against the wall  in true usual suspects fashion just as we began the evening – an unexpectedly dramatic start.  But it didn’t take long for the action to subside and the bookish atmosphere to be reinstated.

We kicked off with an brief introduction from the head of the Libraries West (big guns!) about the new e-book service, then Sylvia Dyer of Thornberry outlined the aims and ethos of the company.

Being a tad nervous, I don’t remember exactly what I said apart from going off piste to discuss the price of home-made marmalade (same as an e-book, don’tya know?) but I do remember waving my arms about a bit so I must have been enjoying myself. Shirley came next with talk of  the ‘scattergun’ effect of social media, which made me think there might be bullets whizzing above the audience’s heads, but as you can see from the picture, it was all very calm really. (And I’ve left in the lovely orange lighting kindly provided by our local supermarket).

As a first public event (yes, we also did some reading) I thought it was highly satisfactory and good practice for my next outings. The first is a rather interesting open mic evening in March for women only called ‘Inspire, Motivate Exchange’ in Filton next month. (Note – with wine, with pampering – should be all the motivation I need).

Then it’s up the road to Downend Library when I’m being joined by Simon Hacker (yes, Thornberry has a man, and a real live journalist!) for a World Book Night celebration in April.

His e-book is just out – and it’s another Scottish adventure.

Many thanks to everyone at Emersons who helped on the night.

Libraries – don’t you just love them?