Where do I begin to describe the last week? It’s been so busy, I’m only now getting round to telling you about it.
Firstly, last Friday (Sept 28, 2007), I was delighted to go down to Irvine’s lovely Harbour Arts Centre for the Ayrshire launch of DarkIsle. My publisher and North Ayrshire Council had worked together to create a special competition for primary schools in the area and that competition centred around DarkIsle.
Children from all over the area entered the competition and the standards were so high that it was really tough to choose winners. However, there could only be a few winners - 54 to be exact! - and their entries really were outstanding as you can see from the couple of photographs that show just a fraction of their creativity.
The competition was for three different age groups and they had three different tasks…either to draw a picture, do some creative writing or produce a recycling idea. I’d like to say thank you to everyone who took part in the competition and congratulate the winners.
So what did they win? They got to come along to the Irvine launch of my book and every winner recieved a signed copy of DarkIsle. Well done to you all!
Once the launch was over, myself, Councillor Barr and two local children decamped to the real dragon on Irvine Beach for some photos taken by photographers for two local newspapers. Boy was it cold up there, but good fun. Local radio station, Westsound, also came and interviewed me.
After that, myself, my husband, our daughter, my parents and my publisher, Keith Charters, went back to the lovely warmth of the Arts Centre for some lunch.
SUNDAY Me, my hubby and daughter went up to Waterstone’s in Stirling and Falkirk. I popped into the shops to say hello to the staff there and to sign copies of my book.
MONDAY DarkIsle is now in the shops! Waterstone’s - where it’s the Scottish Children’s Book of the Month - now stocks the novel, so if you haven’t already got it, get yourself down to the local branch!
Monday also saw me travel to the BBC’s offices in Glasgow where I was interviewed live on air by Claire English during Radio Scotland’s Radio Cafe programme. It was great fun and made even better by the unexpected appearance of Roy Fitzsimmons - the Irvine dragon’s creator - who was also being interviewed. You can find it on the following website (click on Book Cafe)…www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/scotland_promo.shtml
The week is not yet over!
WEDNESDAY Tomorrow (Wed, Oct 3, 2007), I’m popping up to Oban to read to youngsters from Park Primary School as part of the Oban launch of DarkIsle. I’ll also be in the Oban branch of Waterstone’s to sign books in the afternoon, so if you’re around pop in and see me.
THURSDAY On Thursday, I’m going to Edinburgh to meet young journalists who write for Teen Titles, a magazine written by the city’s young people. I’m also going to do a reading for young people at Forester High School.
FRIDAY I think I’ll have a wee rest!