First written: Tuesday 15 July, 2008
Mass signing event, Cambridge
There were a lot of bodies in this particular bookshop;
fortunately still alive but getting hotter and sweatier by the
minute. It was a balmy July evening in Cambridge and Heffers'
Bookshop was hosting its annual summer party for lovers of
fiction's darker side.
I arrived early and had chance to look round this lovely and
ancient city before meeting my lovely (but not remotely ancient-
actually depressingly young) editor for a drink. She'd just handed
over the final edits (Oh, I've heard that one before) on my next
book when we were joined by Tom Cain, fellow Transworld author and
creator of the fabulous Samuel Carver, otherwise known as The
Accident Man.
The three of us got to Heffers to find the party in full swing.
Tom and I, with alphabetically prominent surnames, had been
assigned a table near the door - great from the point of view of
visibility and fresh air. Less great, because we were sharing with
two very popular authors: Alex Dryden and Chelsea Cain, and soon
found ourselves elbowed aside by crowds of eager fans.
By 6.30pm I'd signed several copies of Sacrifice for a sweet
lady from Wigan who was buying for her book club. (Note to self:
next time you attend a signing, take a pen!) and was beginning to
regret wearing high heels. By 7pm, my one and only fan had left the
building, I could no longer get near my table for the hordes
waiting for Chelsea and Alex and was wondering if anyone would
notice if I removed the heels. 7.30 came around, my books were
being used as drinks coasters by the Chelsea/Alex fans and the grin
on my face was feeling decidedly fixed. Chelsea had succumbed to
jet lag and was continuing her signing cross-legged on the floor. I
was strongly tempted to join her but as I wasn't attended by
hoardes of adoring fans, I figured I might just be mistaken for a
drunk.
By 7.45, I could have cheerfully cut off both feet at the
ankles, but I had had chance to say hello to the lovely chaps from
Shotsmag, Ali Karim and Mike Stotter. I'd met both a few weeks
earlier at a Transworld dinner during the Crimefest Convention in
Bristol. Ali entertained the table with the story of the last time
he'd moderated a panel discussion, had stayed up drinking all night
and turned up for the panel hung-over and unable to function. As
Ali was due to moderate my own panel the next day, I was less
amused by this story than others were. In the event, though, he was
perfectly professional and a complete star.
Would I go again? Most certainly. It was genuinely encouraging
to see how many people really love this genre. Did I pick up any
tips? Yes, get myself on a different table, wear flat shoes and
take my own pen!