8 May 2013 proved to be a fairly monumental day for me.
(I know, I seem to be having a lot of those of late. This seems to be an occupational hazard!)
Here’s a hint:
Yup, here I am! Photo courtesy of Tom Haughton @ Lincoln Inspired, with thanks.
It was monumental because it featured my first ever contracted author appearance. Yup, rather than ‘just’ presenting myself for a book signing somewhere (not that there’s ever a ‘just’ about that!), I had signed a contract stating that I would turn up on the specified date, at the specified time, for the specified length of time, bringing along my person, my books and a talk.
Want to know more? Find out here: http://www.lincolninspired.co.uk/
The event in question was the Lincolnshire Literary Life session, featuring myself, Claire Kinton, David Zelder, Joff Gainey and Helen Hancocks. Gill Hart had structured the session into three stages.
Setting up for my ‘stage debut’ ~ I’m starting to feel like a pro about this!
Introductions
First of all, Gill invited us all to introduce ourselves to our audience. Thus we discovered that Helen illustrated the story of Penguin in Peril as part of her degree show, and that the words came later. Joff brought along his suitcase of memories and explains how that inspired him to write Sleeping on a Cloud. Claire shared the tragic inspiration for Dead Game, and David had everyone hanging onto his every word when he shared a traumatic experience that helped him make the events of Yomping Outside so authentic.
From left to right: Nicky Wells, David Zelder, Gill Hart, Claire Kinton, Helen Hancocks and Joff Gainey. Photo courtesy of Tom Haughton @ Lincoln Inspired, with thanks.
And me? Of course, I laid my cards on the table with regard to my inspiration. (I’m not shy like that, LOL. Not anymore!) You know, my strange, inexplicable but undeniable love for rock stars. I earned myself a few laughs, which made my day, and people seemed intrigued by the fact that I blame the writing of Sophie’s Turn entirely on my husband.
Meet the Author
Introductions over, Gill moved us into the ‘free socializing hour’ where attendees were welcome to have lunch or to grab the opportunity to chat with the panel of authors, peruse books, and buy them and have them signed. I’m pleased to report that the attendees didn’t rush madly out the door for their food and drink. Rather, they milled about speaking to us, finding out more about books and buying a few, too.
I loved this part of the session best, I have to confess. I adore meeting new people, readers, fellow authors and aspiring writers alike, and I never once left my stall to grab a drink. (Thankfully, Gill kept coming round with cups of tea and muffins ~ thank you!).
Question Time
After the meet-the-author time, Gill reconvened us for a guided panel discussion. She asked us authors about our experience of going into print ~ whether independently or through a publisher ~ and the audience was quick with questions about the publishing industry, but also our writing process in general. It was a wonderful and animated discussion and before we knew it, our time was quite literally up!
Parting shot. 🙂 Photo courtesy of Tom Haughton @ Lincoln Inspired, with thanks.
See You Next Year?
The general consensus was clear: let’s do this again next year! This is Lincoln Inspired’s first edition and in my humble opinion at least, the audience’s and authors’ reactions make the session a huge success. I sincerely expect that this reflects the Festival as a whole. So therefore… here’s to a fabulous 2nd, 3rd, 4th….. and nth edition. Rock on!
Nicky Wells: Love & Thrills 
Oh that is HUGE! Well done you, I am so proud of you!! xx
Thank you, Yasmin! Actually it’s probably not that huge a deal for most people, but it felt exciting to me. And I loved it! Thanks for your fab comment and for visiting,and I hope you’re feeling much, much better today. XXX
I’m slowly getting there, thank you; but trust me as one fellow author to another I get the deal. I’d be stoked if this was me : ) xx
🙂 And that’s why it’s fabulous to know you. Thank you for understanding! XX
You are becoming such a celebrity, and so accomplished with it! I can see in years to come I will be very proud to say: ‘I knew Nicky back when her first Sophie book was just a twinkle in her eye…’ Proud of you! As I currently slog through new materials to learn for training delivery and barely get time for creative writing, I am sure that you have made the right choice!
Marina, thank you so much for your kind words! Not sure on the celebrity thing but I’m working on it. Right choice ~ for me, definitely, though not in every respect, I suspect. Hey ho, trade offs!! You will get back to your writing when you are good and ready, I’m sure of it. And I’ll very much look forward to reading the results, you know I love me a good crime thriller! X Have a great day! 🙂
Nicky, you’ve been busy there, haven’t you?
You’ve had local appearances at libraries, radio stations, coffee shops all by merely promising to be there. Now you had a one where you made a signed commitment to do so. The thing is, we both know there’s more of the same to follow, as well as others yet to come. I can tell, you’re in search of a dream, a dream which hasn’t arrived. You know I love telling you things in song, and this is a wonderful opportunity for me to do it again, so here’s some advice from one of your favorite singers:
You know I couldn’t help but post this song, especially with the weekend being here.
Oh God, Robin, I so hope you’re right! And yes, your song choice is inspired (aptly so!) as always because it certainly feels like I’m climbing every mountain, and then some. But it’s all good and the view will be worth it from the top, right? Thank you for visiting and leaving such a lovely comment! 🙂
Oh and ~ just in case anyone’s wondering, my promise is as good as a written contract. If I say I’ll be there, I’ll be there. So, you know, if you’re thinking of inviting me onto your radio or television show, I promise you this right now: I’ll be coming. #justsaying
It sounded (and looked) like fun, Nicky! I’m quite envious… I would have loved to have attended! Maybe I’ll be living in the UK next year and can come visit then.
May 8th was a fabulous day for me too… I became auntie to my first niece, Ava Dillyse!! Just a shame I’m in Portugal and can’t meet her for a while 😦
xx
Suzy, what monunmentally exciting news, huge congratulations to you! Shall we call you Auntie Suzy now? Sounds good, doesn’t it?? (But we’ll stick with Suzy. I’ve never liked being called an Aunty myself, haw haw). That’s so wonderful and I hope you get to see Ava Dillyse really soon. 🙂 Regarding the rest of the comment: thank you for your kind, kind words. It would have been wonderful to see you there! Maybe next year, as you say. You keep hinting that you may be moving back… Well, I for one would be happy to have you back in old Blighty even though it probrably rains more here then in Portugal. XXX 🙂
Nicky what a fabulous day you had! Like Suzy am very envious. I think it’s so important for people to know not only what inspires us to write but also how we go about it. Many people have no idea at all and are quite surprised. It’s not only hard work, it’s quite a complex task! Of course it’s not a chore for us because we love doing it. Now you have your foot in the door maybe other opportunities like this will come along. Good luck! xx
Well, when opportunity knocks I shall welcome it with both arms wide open, Jo! Thank you so much for your fabulous comment! 🙂 XX
Great fun by the sounds of it and what an experience! Well done and I am sure you now have lots more fans. 🙂
Thank you, Jane! I hope so! It’s always hard to know what kind of impression one made, isn’t it? I mean, I had a good time and I think I rocked but of course I don’t exactly know what everybody else thought about me. Then again, people walking away with a copy (or indeed copies) of my book(s) that they just bought suggests I must be doing something right. Right? #StillLearning! XX
I am sure you rocked. Whenever I’ve been to author events, the most successful ones have been those who were ‘themselves,’ natural and amusing (no need to try and be comedienne of the year) and remember, people have come to see you! They could be at home doing other stuff, out and about etc, but they decided to come out and sit for an hour or so with you and listen to you…..and if they purchased books, it worked. You rocked. Congrats. Fab.
Stardom! Here it comes, Nicky! Congrats!
Thank you, Anneli, I hope so, I hope so! *preens* *laughs at self* XXX
Good on you, Nicky! It looks like you had a great time. Onwards and upwards… 🙂
Thanks so much, Melanie!! 🙂 x
It looks like you had a great time Nicky! I’m getting a bit nervous about my own appearance in July. If nobody turns up it could be a tad embarrassing :). Good on you.
Lindy, you’ll be fine! 100 per cent. Look at it this way ~ if nobody at all turns up, nobody at all needs to know, right? But they *will* come, I’m sure of it. It doesn’t matter if it’s 4 people or 40 (or 400!!), you’ll have a grand time. It’s all experience. Wishing you good luck and keep me posted ~ I’d love to know how you got on. 🙂 xx
LOVE this Nicky. Congratulations on your first contracted appearance 🙂 X
Thanks so much, Shaz!! 🙂 X
It was a really lovely day – so great to spend some extra time catching up over such a delicious lunch! Like you, I find it fascinating meeting new and aspiring authors, as well as talking to readers and those who are thinking about putting pen to paper. It certainly is a form of therapy. Looking forward to the next time X
Hear, hear ~ roll on next time! Thanks for visiting and commenting and I look forward to seeing you somewhere round Lincoln really soon! There’s this awesome cafe I know that also sells books… XX Rock on, Claire, and good luck with the People’s Book Prize!!!
Wow, that’s brave! What a star you are, Mrs Wells! Public speaking is most definitely *not* my forte (it’s more Ron’s ‘thing’). Hooray for you enjoying the spotlight (contracted, no less) and may it bring you even greater fulfilment. 🙂
Do you know, I think I’m a failed actor. Well, not failed, exactly, because I’ve never tried, but it appears I might have had a good time if I had. If that makes any sense. I seem to thrive on this whole scenario and it gives me a tremendous buzz! But that’s just me, and it’s not to say that I don’t get stage-fright!!! Thanks for visiting and commenting, as always, Jo! X
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Sounds like it was a great day Nicky .. and I guess we’re all failed actors in some way 😉
It was fabulous indeed. And regarding failed actor-dom…well, there’s a saying in German that roughly translates to: “what isn’t yet might still come to pass.” So who knows…. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Linda, it’s lovely to see you here! XX