Meeting Beth O'Leary at a book signing!
Hello,
It’s only right that exciting moments don’t go amiss on my blog. For that reason, today I want to write about when I met the lovely Beth O’Leary, at a book signing for her new novel The No-Show.
I need to first say, Beth is one of my top authors and being fairly new, I’ve managed to read every book she’s written- bar this recent one which sounds like such a good read.
Her books are feel-good, light-hearted and always have an intriguing plot.
Take this one for example for The Flatshare: Tiffy and Leon share a bed, Tiffy and Leon have never met. Instantly I’m intrigued.
The Flatshare was her first book (2019) so now, a few years down the line, we have even more goodies to sink into and lots more characters to meet. Beth’s characters are always likeable and realistic, in my opinion.
I’ll leave links to my posts about her books here...
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary - Book Review
So, very excited, very nervous. We headed to Waterstones to pick up our copies 30 minutes early. They are the most beautiful shade of orange!
(Side note. I had previously messaged Waterstones to ask if we needed to buy our copies from them seeing as they’re hosting the event, hence we may need receipts as proof of purchase. Turns out that we didn’t need to but we chose to click and collect with Waterstones just in case)
We lingered by the shop for a bit; me feeling a very real mixture of nerves and excitement. By the time the que started to form, we found ourselves the 3rd group in line. I feel the need to add that when I get nervous/excited, I get slightly shaky legs and a jelly-like smile. You know the one? When you're smiling but your lips are shaking and turning slightly crooked.
Bare that in mind.
Beth had been seated on a small table just inside the shop and right next to the entrance. I had a plan in mind of what I would say. The interaction went as follows...
I walked toward her with a (slightly shaky) smile and said, Hi lovely to meet you. Placing my books on the table in front of her. My copy of The Flatshare and The No-Show.
Lovely to meet you too. What's your name? She opens the first book to the first page and says, Is that who this book is too?. I nod and say, I have to say, I absolutely love your writing. They're such interesting stories and your characters always feel so real.
Believe me, they don't feel like that in the first draft! She said with a laugh, signing The No-Show. Have you read this book yet? Pointing to The No-Show.
I haven't, but I plan on reading it next, I reply. I read The road trip on holiday and it was so lovely reading it and being in that holiday setting.
I wrote it during the lockdown and it was great to delve into a vacation. She gestures with one hand to the air around her head. She moves to sign the second book I brought. Is this your favourite? Beth says, gesturing to The Flatshare. I nod and tell her how much I loved it. What book are you reading at the moment?
I'm reading...I can't remember the name of it but it's by Giovanna Fletcher. I say, searching my brain for the name of the book.
Oh! Um... something about sunshine. She stood from the chair, passing me my freshly-signed books.
Walking on Sunshine! I say excitedly, taking my books from her hands.
We stand together and take photographs. I try not to blink and keep my smile steady. With only a few moments left I say, I must say as well, that I have a blog and I often write reviews of your books.
Ah thank you! she replied.
I give my thanks and swap places with my mum for her chat with Beth. I take pictures and film a snippet, whilst casually chatting to the people in line behind me. Again, I was still nervous but I wanted to really feel part of the book community. Aren't readers a genuinely nice bunch?
When it got to my mum's turn for pictures I said, mum don't blink! Which made them laugh and I've got a naturally smiley photo as a result.
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Beth was so lovely. I got that vibe from interviews I've seen and she is just as lovely and humble in person.
When I mentioned my blog, I knew I wanted to mention it but I didn't want to say the name and have her think that I'm plugging my blog. I wanted her to know that I genuinely love her books enough to write about them and positive word is being spread about her talent.
Also, I think it's worth noting that I took another book of hers on a whim just in case I was allowed to ask her to sign it. If not, It would stay in my bag no problem. I simply tried to get my shot and did! So it's worth bringing other books by said author at signings on the chance that they can sign them.
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Thank you for reading my blog post! I hope to have more exciting moments in the future.
Love as always,
Bud xx
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