A Review of #DazzlingDebuts #BibliomaniacsBookClub 22nd March

Bibliomaniac's Book Club: Dazzling Debuts:

An Evening with Alex Caan, GJ Minett, Chris Whitaker and Simon Booker 

Thank you so much to everyone who came along last night to my book event! It was such a lovely evening and again, a real dream for me to interview four fabulous authors who I have read, admired and stalked shamelessly on social media.

An absolutely enormous thanks to the four debuts themselves, Simon, Chris, Graham and Alex. Thank you all for travelling - some from a very long way away! - after a day's work to come Harpenden and chat to us all about your novels and your journey to becoming a published author.

There was a fantastic atmosphere and the authors certainly dazzled us with their stories about how they started writing, completing their first draft and that tricky second novel. There was a lot of light-hearted banter between the four authors and their friendship is not only clear, but obviously very strong. Alex, Graham, Chris and Simon are all published with Bonnier Zaffre and have got to know each other really well since beginning their novel writing careers there. Not only did this make it a really easy panel to interview but also created a very relaxed, informal and friendly atmosphere. It was a great evening!



A big shout out to The Harpenden Arms for providing such a perfect venue. The Pullman room (upstairs) is such an ideal setting - with views of Harpenden from all the windows, it is big enough to hold a room full of bibliomaniacs but small enough to feel informal and convivial. Essentially, there is a bar at the back of the room - it is thirsty work listening to people talk about books! I would like to give the staff at The Harpenden Arms a huge thanks for all their help with arranging the evening - especially Nick and Rob. The staff are so friendly, helpful, attentive and nothing is too much trouble. They take all the stress out of arranging an event like this and I would highly recommend that next time you're passing you pop in for a drink or a delicious meal!

harpenden-arms.co.uk

I would also like to thank Ines and Steph from Harpenden Books who so kindly gave up their evening to come along and sell the authors' books. There is nothing better than being able to buy a copy of the book you have just heard the author talking about  - and then get it signed by the real live author themselves! If you weren't able to get hold of the title you were after, then please pop into the shop this week or order online - they can usually get hold of books within a day or two. We are exceptionally lucky to have such a gorgeous, well stocked bookshop on our high street and even if it is responsible for the huge hole in my bank balance every month (ok, week....) it is a lovely to have a bookshop with such informed, well read, helpful and dedicated staff. Thanks so much ladies for all your help and support!

www.waterstones.com




But really the evening could not have happened without all you fabulous people who came along. I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I did and please tweet / Facebook / email me with any feedback you might have or let me know your thoughts on the novels once you've read them all!

It was great to see so many of you chatting to the authors after the main interview and don't forget to look them up on social media and stalk, I mean follow, them. And remember - ratings and reviews are always always so appreciated and valued by writers - not only do they love to hear that you've read their book, but if you can leave a review (one or two words is fine!) on Goodreads or Amazon then it  makes a huge difference to all those tricky algorithm thingys.

grahamminett.com   @GJMinett

@simonbooker     simonbooker.com

@alexcaanwriter     alexcaanauthor.com

@WhittyAuthor    amzn.to/2cgKNVK





I hope you all enjoyed your goodie bag packed full of flyers about the next Bibliomaniac events and various other bookish events, bookmarks from various authors - including Helen Cox who is coming along in April, your very own Bibliomaniac pen so you always have something to jot down the title of that book someone's just mentioned or that you want to read or buy next, a packet of jelly bookworms and a criminal cupcake!



Finally thank you to my 'tribe' who helped out on the night  - thank you, you're fab! Not only did they help with the smooth running of last night's event, they have been a huge support in the lead up to the event. And to my husband too for, well, for everything!

I really hoped everyone had a great time and hope to see lots of you at Bibliomaniac's June event - Summer Scorchers. Tickets are now on sale! Details below:

Tickets: Summer Scorchers

Bibliomaniac Presents: Summer Scorchers

And if you have been inspired to have a go at writing your own book or fancy getting some top tips from two fabulous authors, then come along to Write Away in April - details below:

Bibliomaniac Presents: Write Away

Tickets: Write Away


Don't forget you can subscribe to my blog by leaving your email address in the "Follow" button and then you will receive my blog posts when they are published. Or you can follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 or Facebook katherine sunderland

If you would like to be added to my mailing list to be kept informed of any future events then you can email me directly bibliomainac2016@gmail.com

Happy Reading and thanks again to everyone who made this event such a successful and enjoyable evening! It really is appreciated! Can't wait for the next one!