Thursday 24 June 2010

National Crime Fiction Week

Is it really over 10 days since I posted here? Life has been busy - I know, I always say that, but it's always true!
National Crime Fiction Week started 14th June so I was kept busy promoting CUT SHORT and ROAD CLOSED in libraries and bookshops:

On Wednesday 15th I visited Ruislip Manor Library where I met some friendly readers and signed a few books. I'll be returning on 26th July and 20th September to talk to the book groups there.

On Thursday 16th I was invited to give a talk at Ickenham Library to around 20 people. The audience asked so many interesting questions, we barely had time for the refreshments the librarian had provided. My event was part of Ickenham Festival which happened to coincide with National Crime Fiction Week. Appropriately for a visit from an author of murder stories, the librarian managed to kill two birds with one stone...

On Saturday I had a commitment in the morning so couldn't go out book signing. Fortunately I received an invitation to go along for an interview at Harrow Community Radio station which was great fun. The staff there made me very welcome. I'll post the link when I receive it... (Keith - are you reading this?) Harrow Community Radio is a new venture and I was thrilled to be interviewed for one of their pilot programmes.

Sunday saw me back in my usual haunt - signing in a bookshop. I am grateful to Waterstones in Harrow for hosting a signing on Fathers' Day. Needless to say, we sold a lot of books as gifts that day! I was thrilled to find a card (yes, bought at the last minute...) for my father which had a picture of Superman on the front with the message 'Dad of Steel'. A perfect card from the creator of Geraldine Steel!

Two of my events were featured on the CWA website
http://www.crimefictionweek.co.uk/2010/wednesday.html
http://www.crimefictionweek.co.uk/2010/saturday.html

Like I said... it was a busy week...

10 comments:

Becky said...

I'm going to look out for your books when I'm next in Waterstones. Well done !!! I love to hear of people following their dreams and getting results too :-)

Charles Gramlich said...

Definitely a full time job eh?

Katie said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Stella Jones said...

You are coping well with your 'business' and I wish you continuing success. Glad you got your dad a nice card.
Blessings, Star

Unknown said...

I don't live in the UK and can't get your latest book until it arrives in the USA but I get your first book next week. It's waiting for me at the mailbox. Can't wait to read both.

CD

Leigh Russell said...

Hi Becky - thanks for your comment. My books are in Waterstones so you should be able to find them both quite easily. I hope you enjoy reading them and let me know what you think.

Leigh Russell said...

I wish, Charles!

Hi Star - I suppose it is a bit of a 'business'. Hey, I'm a business woman... No, on second thoughts, I think I'll stick with being an author.

Clarissa - thank you very much for your support. I hope you enjoy CUT SHORT and let me know what you think.
Don't forget, I'm happy to send you a scanned personalised signature if you'd like one.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

I'm looking forward to reading Road Closed as I loved Cut Short so much.

Leigh Russell said...

Yup, Debs, I can live with comments like that! Thank you very much.

Leigh Russell said...

It's quite surreal focusing on ROAD CLOSED, seeing reviews and comments, and being interviewed about it, as I finished the MS months ago and am now very excited about having finished the first draft of DEAD END for publication in 2011... My head is full of DEAD END and everyone is talking about ROAD CLOSED. But I'm not complaining!