Why invite me to speak at your next book event?

I’m feeling uncharacteristically bullish today, because yesterday afternoon more than 90 people came to the launch of the paperback edition of my latest book. I’d organised the event myself, rather than wait for someone else to organise something then ask me along. I don’t often do this, but now realise that this is something I should be doing more of.

Of course the goal was to promote my book and specifically sell lots of copies. People pre-ordered 20 copies to by picked up on the day, and three more copies were bought on the day itself. As a book festival founder, I know that such a high conversion rate is unusual.

We showed some old Suffolk films, which added to the appeal of the afternoon, and as you can see from the photo, my books appeal most to older people, who have an interest in how life in rural England continues to evolve. One of things I realised when researching the book I was speaking about, was that we are slowly rediscovering what belonging to a community means. This is something people took for granted 70 years ago, but lost sight of when television and supermarkets replaced the village pub and corner shop.

I’ve prepared two Powerpoint presentations, one for my latest book, and another for the one being published in July. a third, will cover the best of both books. These will allow me to illustrate with sometimes unusual images, the stories about, and within these two books.

I’m also coming to realise that the best way to tell my story, is not to be interviewed by someone, however good they are. The best way for me to get my message across is to literally just stand there and say it as I see it. I find that prospect both liberating and daunting. If your audience is a mture and thoughtful one, then let’s talk and get something in the diary.