Word is spreading

I woke up this morning to an invitation to speak at another book festival this autumn, and on the past week, have spoken at two bookshops, both of which had attracted audiences of eager readers. Tomorrow I’ll be speaking to 120 naturists about the spiritual side of our relationship with the earth. Have I finally arrived as a successful author?

I’m currently reading an advance copy Smelling of Rooks by Louis de Bernières which is the first book in decades to make me laugh out loud. Louis came to my book event in Framlingham at the weekend and in September will be speaking at the Leiston Book Festival which I organise and for which ticket sales are building nicely.

Reading his book, which is a kind of journal, charting his life over a few years, I was struck by how frequently he travelled around the UK and abroad to speak at literary events. Is this what my future holds I wonder? I rather hope so, although I’m not going to push myself at event organisers, as I have a new book to write.