Some pictures and a report about the launch 'do' for The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World

HERE'S me looking like I'm hiding behind a pile of books. This was a very good plan as all the other photos appear to show a big fat woman who'd dyed her hair to be the same as mine and nicked my clothes then turned up at the party.

I've been having a good think as to what I should write about the book launch. I've had some lovely feedback from the friends and colleagues who attended. But for me, it was a disappointment. I was delighted that the people came along who did, especially Michael Cross who ventured up from the Big Smoke, but a stomach-churning agitation that gripped me as expected guest after expected guest emailed or phoned with their reasons for not coming along, was hard to shift. I was even blown out by my own mother. (It was painful suspected arthritis, I think I'll let her off!)

Around 20 people dropped out on the day, about a third of those in the last hour or so before it was due to start. Most blamed pressure of work. I can't complain about that. When we have worked with event management experts in the past, they have advised to prepare an "A" guest list, for those people you really want to come along and a "B" list to include those you ask if the first lot can't make it.

I'm really not so sure.

Business advisers have also said we should have "A" list clients and a "B" list - depending on how much they can pay of course, but our company has prided itself on giving the same level of service whatever the budget and we hope, putting the customer first. I suppose my thinking about the guests was the same - I invited people because it would have been lovely to have them there and we hoped they would enjoy it. Simple as.

Anyway, I was very nervous as the event began and sloped into the kitchen where I had a few nibbles and a few glasses of wine in the space of oh about 30 seconds. (Some bottles of booze remained unopened because of the no-shows so they are going to Emily and Melissa's school at the tail-end of this week. I do hope their teacher is impressed when they chirp up: "They were left over from Mummy's book launch you know, Darling." Or something. They are only nine after all.)

Darrell Mawle from Chase Promotions and Ian Newbold were among the first to arrive and both bought books. Yay! Thanks.

Out of the people in the acknowledgments, Neil, Emily and Melissa were there, as was Craig McGinty and the aforementioned Mr Cross, as a fellow moderator at JournoBiz, was a good ambassador. Founder Jan Murray who like me on many occasions, was unable to come because of childcare, was thanked profusely in my speech. She may not be a fan of Ulrika Jonsson (sorry, this is an in-joke) but she wrote a cracking foreword and has offered so much advice and support over recent years which helped make the book possible in the first place. Local author Nick Daws, who also inspired me with his words of wisdom, also came along.

Janet Lee, another local author and journalist, interviewed me at length about my career. The glasses of wine supped in under a minute may have come into play here as I laughed about spending just two weeks at the Sunday Mercury before leaving when offered another job, and the editor telling me I was "an awkward sod" (he was right of course) as I went. The piece is due out tomorrow so I am waiting with bated breath. At least Janet has had the pic of me behind the books and not one where the fat bird has nicked my clothes.

Louise Bolotin was a great bubbly presence at the party and it was good to put a face to the name after all these months (or is it years?) of being in touch through forum messages and emails. The same could be said for Kate Copestake, who also insisted on a signed copy and for paying for one. Good one Kate.

Anil and "magician to the stars" Spencer Lynch threw up some brilliant answers to our headline competition - suggesting Anil's memory had been found on the moon and that Spencer would sleep with us for dosh. I've got a spare bit of change so I may be round later.

I gave a speech, which I hated and made some dodgy joke about The Greatest Sex Tips in the World book, saying the gorgeous, award-winning author beat me to it. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, especially after clocking the bemused smiles on my daughters' faces.

Then the people from Talking Newspapers gave a erm, talk. This was at least  worthwhile. Louise tells me she decided to sign up for her local branch the very next day. Only there isn't one. Hey-ho. We collected a few quid for the charity and have to add it to the staggering total of £30 that I've collected on my Just Giving page. I'll reduce the target amount to £100 and leave it at that. They made it clear they were more interested in raising awareness rather than cash, so I can heave a huge sigh of relief. A press release about the organisation will go out soon and I'll soon be doing my best Claudia Winkleman impression as I read some of the stories. Joking apart, publicity about the launch is also under control.

I thought about posting lessons I learned from the book launch but all I can say is be prepared for people to drop out on the day, don't make ropey jokes in front of your kids and don't neck a bottle of Cava before people ask you to sign a few copies.

The team here with me at Passionate Media were fantastic. As ever. Katie, Carol, Emma and Helen really pulled out the stops with the organisation, food and so on. The fact that Helen came in to help on her day off, especially with Rhona and a bunch of flowers, thank you very much, really meant a lot.

And here are some pictures...

Nick Daws gets stuck in to The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World.

Ian, Louise and Michael discuss who's been to Cannock before, possibly.

Kate and Anil egg each other on: "Everywhere we go, people want to know, where the hell are you from? We're from Wolverhampton..."

Steve and Anne from The Greatest in the World weigh up our first review. Wahay.

Anil and Spencer attempt to outwit the headline writers of the Sunday Sport.

That fat woman sneaks into a publicity shot.

...and engages in some "banter" with Jim, the photographer. A disgrace, frankly. Even Craig looks disgusted.

Comments

[Louise Bolotin]

It was an excellent launch. It's always a disappointment when people drop out for whatever reason but the do was no less good for their lack of presence.

I think your book is a great achievement - it will be a fantastic help to thousands of freelances looking for sensible advice and useful tips.

[Linda]

Thanks Louise. :) I wanted to write an honest account of how I felt about the launch, which I think may have more to do with how I feel about my weight, really! The launch was fun despite finding it hard to relax and it was certainly worthwhile in terms of networking, publicity and even book sales.
I am beavering away trying to drum up as much interest as I can and am cheered by the fantastic response, touch wood, the book has got in reviews published so far. I am too impatient, I think. I'm waiting to see how the PR lady is getting on.

[Pip]

Congratulations on your book!

I'm saddened that you put yourself down so much in your report though and want to go through and take out all the references to, "That fat woman." What's weight got to do with such a fantastic writing achievement?

[Linda]

Oh that is very kind of you, thank you - please don't worry about me putting myself down - my weight as you correctly say has nothing to do with getting the book out there but it does make me a bit uncomfortable to say the least. The references are a feeble attempt at being light-hearted. It's difficult to acknowledge "achievements" for many of us and I would hate to give the impression that I have no confidence, I have too much for some people, I know. Thanks again and all the very best to you.
Linda
x

[Barbara]

It sounds good fun. The fact that you had a launch is fantastic; I wasn't brave enough.

Power to you!

[Craig McGinty]

Why do I always get caught on camera as though I am swallowing a live goldfish!!!

Anyway, I enjoyed myself and my mum was well chuffed to see my name in the book!!!

Speak to you soon :-)

Craig

[Ian Newbold]

That lady who stole your clothes is a boster you know!

Christ, I didn't know my nose was that pointy. I may also need to re-think the hair, again.

It was a good do, and was great to be there. And now I'm a hyperlink, whatever next, gainful writing?

[Linda]

Hehe, from the back, that's what I always say. (In quite a few situations as it happens.) I hope Mark Ronson was good even if I don't know what a hyperlink is.

[Katie]

Congrats again Linda! I agree that the launch would not be less good for their lack of certain people's presence. Everyone is so impressed and proud of what you have achieved. You know that your fabtastic book will help so many freelancers looking for realism, straight-talking advice and useful tips. I will be getting my hands on a copy!

[Linda]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Barbara - you've got to give it a go, haven't you? :)

[Carol Garrington]

Even if more people had turned up, you still would have been hiding in the corner of the kitchen with a bottle of wine. It was a great do, lovely to meet those who turned up. Quite relieved we didn't have full attendance because that would've meant some people having to mingle in the toilets ooh er, not sure how we would have fitted another 20 people into our offices! Anyway, just to show how great PR is, just had someone email me who saw your book launch press release in the paper and now wants to come and see us about PR for his business. A great success all round I would say. Luv ya.x

[Beth Cooper]

Hi Linda
Huge congrats! I think you look terribly glamourous...and so does the book.

Am very curious about what eats you had on offer (I have a finger food fetish).

Now that I see how book launches work, I'm getting exceptionally nervous about my own next year. If it's in SA, you're coming out here for moral and seasoned support!

Well done!

Warm wishes
Beth

[Linda]

Hi Beth and thanks - there was far too much food - loads of cracker type things with soft cheese, sandwiches and 'nibbles' etc, then some of us went for a Chinese!

[Nick Daws]

Congratulations again on your excellent book, Linda, and thank you for inviting me to the launch. I was immediately engrossed, as your photo of me captures so well!