The book signing on the 17th in Weston-super-Mare went very well indeed. Westonians are very supportive of local authors... of locals in general actually... so the Weston events are always a pleasure. Had the 'real' Pat Guppy managed to get her way, however, this particular one wouldn't have gone ahead. The woman who inspired (for want of a better word) the creation of old Pat, in typical Pat Guppy style, decided to threaten Waterstone's to try to get the store to cancel the signing. A mass protest and store-front picket was threatened and the shopping mall's security peeps were alerted, as there was some concern for my safety and Ryoma's. Of course, Waterstone's isn't in the business of being pushed about and refused to cancel, and we were determined not to be bullied into pulling out. The signing went ahead, I met some lovely people, friends came in to show their support, as did my family, Ryoma handed out a squillion promotional bookmarks, plenty of books were sold and a good day was had by all. There was an awful lot of laughing, a fair amount of chicken squeaking, as Henrietta went along for good luck, and a total absence of protesters and picket lines.
I want to say a big thank you to Waterstone's, for the support they give to their authors, and an equally big one to the people of Weston-super-Mare, for making the day such an enjoyable and entertaining one.
