Venue: Waterstones Uxbridge
Date: 13th December 2012, from 6.30 – 8 pm
First of all I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came and helped me celebrate the launch of my first novel. Up Close has now been let loose on an unsuspecting public!
Also, a very special thanks to the lovely staff at Waterstones, Lance and Christine, and to fellow writer Evonne Wareham for introducing me so enthusiastically. For a moment her praise actually made me think she was talking about a completely different person altogether!
I’d like to share some pictures from the evening with you, courtesy of photographer Charys Bestley. I hope they speak for themselves.
Me signing books (yay!)
Chatting to Barrie Nathan
Pia & Richard Fenton talk to Janet Gover
With Maria Sztayer
With Tansy Hawksley
Dominy chats to Ken, Lyn Vernham in the background
Rosemary McLean, Jane Coulthard & Fiona McIntyre. Mark Summers is browsing in the background
Richard Fenton & Tim Ardizzone with Paul Vernham, Pia Fenton, Rachel Skinner & Lyn Vernham
Zofia Millar, Alison Moat & Maria Sztayer, with Jan Sprenger, Cara Cooper & husband Andy to the right
Katrina Strachan, Nicola Wetherall & Lia O’Sullivan (the real Lia!)
Liz Fenwick, Janet Gover & Liz Harris
Evonne Wareham giving her introduction
Evonne Wareham
Me reading aloud (and looking terribly serious!)
The knitting group – Vicki Rawstorne, Fiona McIntyre, Sushila Shah, Stella Ward & Dominy Browning
Lyn, John Hocking, Rachel, Richard, Janet, Barbara Alderton, and Dawn Platten (in blue) listening in rapt attention (I hope!)
Tim with Debra & Kim Hughes
Dawn Platten & Rosemary McLean
Barrie Nathan & Maria-Grazia Zingale
Jane Coulthard, who gave her feedback to an early version of the cover
Evonne Wareham, and her former colleagues who kindly turned up too!
Beta reader Mike Lawley, Hari Lawley and moi
Barbara Alderton, Liz Harris & Jan Sprenger
The general throng. Spot Cara Cooper’s gorgeous purple coat!
Henriette Gyland 
It’s wonderful that so many people came out to support you and says so much about you and your work, Henri. Congratulations.
What a fabulous event. I hope it all continues for you in the same vein, Henri. x
Lovely, Henri. And so many familiar faces! Up Close going on the TBR pile…
Thanks for your lovely comments. It was a great evening, despite me being rather nervous, and the best thing was seeing people enjoying themselves.
Alison – Thanks for putting Up Close on your TBR pile. I hope you enjoy it. Hx
Even if it took you forever to get them up there, the pictures gave a great insight into what a fabulous night it must have been. So many people! Fantastic. Love your dress, BTW, and sure I will love your book. Must put it on the TBR pile, too.
Hmm, yes, WordPress and I got there in the end! Thanks for your comments about my dress – I did actually *whispers* knit it myself. I love knitting.
Great photos, Henri! It was a lovely evening 🙂
Thanks! So glad you were able to make it, and many thanks for your help on the day. Hx
It looks like a fabulous evening, Henri and lovey to share it with so many. So pleased it went so well. X
Sarah – I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures from your book launch!! Hx
It looks a great evening, Henri. Sorry I couldn’t be there. (Maybe next time.) xxx
Yes, you were missed, but as you say, maybe next time. Although with the stress involved, I might hold off on that for a while… 🙂
Nooo, go for it! It gets easier. 🙂 (Sometimes.) x
No way! You knitted it yourself? It’s superb. Are you Scandinavian too? All my Scandinavian relatives knit superbly and my mother-in-law taught me the Scandinavian way. I spent hours every day for a year learning how to knit and speak Norwegian – two things that have stood me in great stead. I love knitting, now, too!
Yes, I’m another Scandi, for my sins 😉 The only way I know how to knit is to hold the needles out in front of me and then loop, loop, loop. I don’t swing the yarn over the needle or hold it trapped under my arm like some of the women in my knitting group do. I’m fascinated by that particular way of knitting, but it just looks like too much hard work for me!
It was a fabulous evening, Henri, and these are lovely photos from it.
Your dress was terrific. If you ever get fed up with writing, a knitting career must surely beckon ….
I’ve just started ‘Up Close’ and I’m already hooked.
Liz X
I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Liz, and that ‘Up Close’ has you hooked. That’s what a writer likes to hear 😉
Yes, I have considered a knitting career, but I think in terms of hourly rate, it’s not something a person can live on. Now I just use it as a way of de-stressing, which may be a misnomer to some people.
Totally agree about it being a way of de-stressing. I could never master the English method of knitting but the Scandinavian (or European) method is so relaxing while reading or watching television.
I wish I could have been there at your launch to congratulate you in person, Henri. The photos are fabulous – and I was cheering you and raising a glass from up here in Scotland! It was so great to meet up again in Penrith this year and I just wanted to say how fabulous Up Close is and what a wonderful writer you are. Wishing you even greater success in 2013 and for many years to come.
Janice xx
Aww, thank you, Janice! It would have been great if you were there, but it’s quite a way from Scotland! We missed you though, and hope to see you soon. Thanks for your kind words about Up Close – I’m so pleased you like it. Hx
Glad you posted these – I’m still learning and it’s good to see what I have yet to come for 2013. Thanks and good luck. great pics! Lin x
Lovely photos, Henri – I’m sure Up Close will be a great success!
It was a great evening!
lx
Thanks Lin & Rosemary. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Up Close will do well. Can’t resist looking on Amazon Novel Rank now and and again, but know I shouldn’t because that way madness lies 😀
Glad you enjoyed yourself on the 13th, Liz.
Good luck with those Amazon rankings. Know what you mean but yes, it’s hard to resist:)
Thanks, Beverley. I’m trying not to look…. 😉
Coming very late to this (I blame the lurgy I had before Christmas) but it was so lovely to share the evening with you, celebrating your success, Henri.
Here’s to the next one!
xx
And it was so wonderful that you were able to come. I’m looking forward to going to yours! Hx