Waterstone’s Bradford now agreed to stock both books. The guy on the phone checked my sales stats and said, ‘Oo! F*ck! We’ll definitely stock some. Don’t know why we didn’t pick it up before.’ Seriously, he swore, which I found quite amusing and endearing.
11
Nov
09
Waterstone’s Bradford
09
Nov
09
X Factor and object lessons
Well, did a signing in Borders York yesterday. First time I’d done a Sunday signing. It was all a bit fitful. And they sat me upstairs with the DVDs, which was all a bit odd. Still, I eventually sold 20 copies and met a few of me old mates from my signing at the store back in January: Charlotte, Beth (and Mr Defence League) and Matt White.
Next stop: Waterstone’s Wigan, from 11am on Saturday 14 Nov.
Meanwhile, I’m having to ponder Lucie’s exit from X Factor yesterday. Lucie was one of my faves and gave a flawless performance on Saturday. Clearly, quality is no longer the deciding parameter for success in today’s world. An object lesson to all authors, methinks, but a depressing one.
07
Nov
09
Twilight review
Finally saw the film Twilight this week. Have to say I quite enjoyed it. I’d heard it wasn’t as good as the book, blah, blah, but it worked nonetheless. It made the ol’ vampire shtick very contemporary, a metaphor for modern alienation, etc. Some very good dialogue in the first half of the film. And the Red Indian dimension in it was definitely working to keep vampirism’s ancient references. All round, pretty good. I’d give it 8/10. Siouxsie watched it with me and she was less impressed – didn’t like all the teenage angst stuff – bit annoying.
Hurrah! As you may know, Borders have stopped ordering books through the supplier called Gardners. That was causing me real problems with regard to getting stores to order my books. For book signings in Borders, I’ve usually been supplying the stock myself – right pain.
But clever old Borders York have managed to order my books through the supplier called Bertrams. So there’ll be a big stack of books for me when I do the signing on Sunday 8 Nov 09. Just the small task of selling them now.
Meanwhile, I’ve now finished chapter 5 of book 3, Necromancer’s Fall. It’s all hotting up. Onto chapter 6 now – and the introduction of a new baddie.
25
Oct
09
Borders York
Well, duly did the signing at Borders Manchester Fort yesterday. Strangest thing – the store was empty till 12.30. Never seen the like. Still, it was the last payday before payday and was probably the lull before the xmas shopping storm. Having said that, the staff said it was always like that. Hmm. Shifted 20 copies nonetheless, just took forever is all.
Next signing is Sunday 8 Nov, at Borders York from 11am. Sold loads there last year, so should be ok. First signing I’ve done on a Sunday though.
Well, sold 28 copies in merry old Stockport yesterday. Met a few interesting people.
Next signing is on Saturday 24 October, from 11am, at Borders Manchester Fort.
Better get my head down today and get back on track with chapter 5 of book 3, Necromancer’s Fall.
16
Oct
09
Borders Stockport, 17 Oct 2009
Signing tomorrow, from 11am. Did two sellout signings there last year, so should be ok.
And I’ve then got a signing at Borders Manchester Fort on Saturday 24 Oct, from 11am.
11
Oct
09
New and next signing
Well, things went well at the signing at Waterstone’s Bolton yesterday. Sold 27 copies. It was easier than some cos some fans turned up to buy the new book (good to put some names to faces). There was almost a queue at one point! Bit of a first.
The (lovely) store manager Clare agreed to another signing on Saturday 5 December, so I could capture the xmas market.
Bought a few second-hand PS2 games on the way home (Colin McCraig, Lego Star Wars and Medal of Honour Rising Sun), so that’ll stop me writing any of book 3 today, I fear.
Next signing: Borders Stockport, Saturday 17 October 2009, from 11am.
07
Oct
09
waterstone’s bolton, 10 Oct 09
Well, next signing is this Saturday from 11am, at Waterstone’s Bolton. Did a signing there last year and sold 20 copies of Necromancer’s Gambit in an hour and a half. They’ve ordered 35 books for this year’s signing but not sure stock will arrive in time – Waterstone’s now organise central book supply via a contracted warehouse called the Book Hub (Unipart Logistics). It’s causing all sorts of problems cos the new database the warehouse uses doesn’t interface that well with those of the international book suppliers. Sheesh. Might have to cart my own copies up to Bolton on the train. Pain in the neck.
Well, reading above title at the mo. I’m 300 pages into it and absolutely nothing’s happened in the story. The characterisation is great and the Rain Wilds are described evocatively and vividly. But nothing more than a verbal spat has happened amongst all the charaters. I’m all for epic scale and a steady build-up, but come on already! It’s a real shame – Hobb has one of the easiest and engaging writing styles, but its just not being employed on much of a plot. 6/10 score from me. I won’t be buying the next one either.
Meanwhile, Waterstone’s Bolton haven’t received the stock yet for next Saturday’s (10 Oct) signing. Sheesh. I’ll have to make some calls this week to find out what’s what. Worst comes to the worst though, I’ll just have to provide my own stock to them.
