Last night, Blackwells in Oxford was once again host for my latest launch party. If any Oxfordshire authors are wondering which venue to choose for their launch, look no further! Hannah and Beth and Ryan at the shop are always so incredibly efficient and helpful and accommodating – this time they didn’t bat an eye when I said we would be bringing a chocolate fountain…(though they did look relieved when I produced a large plastic tablecloth!)
This was a joint launch with my wonderful author pal Cas Lester, who’s written a book for the same age group (8-12) called DO YOU SPEAK CHOCOLATE? which, I’m sure you’ll agree, was crying out to be partnered with my strawberries!
So many lovely people came, even thought it was in the school holidays, and I was once again hugely touched that everyone had made the effort. Special shout out to Kathryn Evans, who drove up from her strawberry farm near Chichester to come and support the book that’s based on her family business!
Huge thanks to everyone for coming, for Blackwells for hosting, and for the people (Jenny Banks Skully, Rachel Hamilton, Gaia Banks, Colette Lloyd) who’ve kindly agreed I can use their photos since I didn’t take any of my own! I was only sorry my lovely editor Fliss Johnston couldn’t be there because she’s on holiday at the moment. Fliss – I’ve got some chocolate for the fountain left over, so we’ll have to have a party at Piccadilly Press before too long!
Jo Cotterill 