Gratitude

On my first morning home after a month-long book tour in England, I emerge from jetlag fog, sip coffee, and wander through my garden, noting what has sprouted, grown, and bloomed during my absence. Now is time for reflection. Time to consider a response to the inevitable question: How was your book tour? But, I chronicled the day-by-day play-by-play with photos on my author Facebook page and on Instagram, too, so there really is nothing to add.

While on the subject of Facebook and Instagram, a request. If you have an account with either, and haven’t already done so, I’d be delighted if you would take a moment to click “follow” on mine. Plump social media platforms please agents and publishers – as do well-written stories, of course. Love it or hate it, social media really is one of the most effective tools for authors to spread the word about our work. By following and sharing you help that happen. Thank you.

Back to this blog – not a rehash of the tour – but my thanks to the great many who contributed its success. I hope it's not as boring as some Oscar acceptance speeches because I'd like leave you with an understanding that there would have been no tour without the support of many.

Author Jonathan Burt sent me this image of the book being supported in a blosoming apple tree.

I’d been in England for less than a day when I met my UK publishing team – Richard and Libby of CPI printing and Douglas of Brown Dog Books. Richard drove all the way down from the Peak District near Manchester to pick me up at the train station in Chippenham and was eating a hurried breakfast in his car when I leapt in with a Canadian, “Hi.” Their welcome and enthusiasm for Canterbury and Other Tales set the positive tone that prevailed for the rest of the tour. Because I was travelling by train, and so that I didn’t have to cart author copies around with me, Libby mailed books to various locations and in each box, she included a personal note that always made me smile. These busy people who print and publish for big names and small, for the famous and the unknown, made me feel valued – a very good feeling to travel around with. Thank you.

At a Society of Authors event in Bath, author Diana Cambridge gave me a warm welcome and lovely introduction to a group of local authors gathered to hear guest speaker, Tina Jackson, editor of Writing Magazine. A generous acknowledgement for which I remain grateful. A couple of days later Diana sent me an e-mail about Canterbury and Other Tales: I started to look through it – and then couldn’t put it down. I love the style – part journal, part history, part geography and more. … I’m sure you have a strong niche market of adventurous walkers/pilgrims. I don’t think there’s anything quite like it on bookshop shelves. I’m sure it will be a great success. Much appreciated words of encouragement as I set out on this book-launch adventure.

While I was in Ely, author Jonathan Burt and his friend Robin took time from writing projects to join me on a windy day’s walk along fen byways. Jonathan brought a delicious picnic for the three of us and the Cornish yarg he introduced me to now tops my list of favourite cheeses. That evening, screenwriter Richard Kurti and novelist Fiona Chesterton joined us for dinner and animated conversation. In Canterbury I got together with poet Victoria Field, novelist Justine Gilbert and playwright Michael Amerstorfer for drinks, and in Sevenoaks I enjoyed a morning coffee with novelist Linda Buckley-Archer. It has been an honour to meet and listen to the wisdom offered by seasoned authors and I am grateful for their support. Please take a moment to click on the links for an introduction to their work.

Before leaving home, while watching a Society of Authors webinar on the dos and don’ts of successful book tours, I learned that connecting with people who will relate to and be interested in the subject is key. With that in mind, I contacted Ramblers walking groups in the places I would be visiting. The result was being invited on walks with

the Exeter, Winchester, Canterbury, Newark and Sevenoaks Ramblers. To Nikki and Ian in Exeter, Heather and Kate in Winchester, Beverley in Canterbury, Joyce in Newark, Tim and Charles in Sevenoaks – my thanks to you and the other Ramblers for your welcome, good company and the drives to and from walk start points. Also, huge thanks for providing opportunities in forests, church yards, fields, and pubs to read excerpts from the book – perfect venues and always empathetic audiences who laughed in solidarity. Melanie, the dinner event you organized with the East Cheshire Ramblers was awesome. It is a joy presenting to fellow walkers who have shared similar adventures.

My visit to Rye didn’t co-ordinate with a scheduled ramble, but Wil met me to lead us on a scenic walk that included Spike Milligan’s grave, smugglers tunnels, Napoleonic war fortifications, a Henry VIII castle, and a WWII shelter – over 500 years of history within a few kilometres of each other. Later he and his wife Hav joined me for dinner, and I expect them to visit the Comox Valley in the not-too-distant future.

To long-time friend Kate, thank you for organizing the opportunity for me to introduce the book to the Shepton Beachamp – pronounced Shepton Beacham – Women’s’ Institute and for convincing Nigel that I should join him and the dogs on their daily walk! I’m still not sure what Nigel thought of that arrangement. Once again, you and I had too short a visit – next time we’ll do better. More on interrupted visits with Kate on page eighty-three of Canterbury and Other Tales.

To Jenny at Mompesson House in Salisbury, Eve at Lamb House in Rye and Sam at Knole House in Sevenoaks – thank you for your support in enabling me to present Canterbury and Other Tales at such significant National Trust properties. Sharing stories with visitors to Mompesson House, reading excerpts in the one-time home of Henry James and Rumer Godden, and seeing my books for sale at Knole’s lovely bookshop will remain precious memories of the tour.

Image - The diningroom at Lamb House - still presided over by Henry James.

Winchester cathedral chancellor Roly and chaplain Gary, and Alan at Ely cathedral – thank you for answering my questions about the value and relevance of pilgrimage in today’s world. I am honoured that you were able to find the time in your busy schedules and enjoyed our conversations.

Friends of Canterbury cathedral: Caroline, David, Thelma and Mike, thank you for honouring me by organizing such a fabulous event. My thanks also to Janet, Janice, Patsy, Sheila, Amanda and other Friends who baked the delicious goodies. Your generous hospitality and interest were a tour highlight. Verger David – that tour of intriguing secret places and the roof was a thrill a minute.

Friends of Ely Cathedral – Sue for organizing the space with tea and cakes for a reading, and Edward for the interesting cathedral tour – especially our hunt for green men – thank you. I remain awed by your unique and beautiful ship of the fens.

Speaking with the students at my old school – now Radnor school – at Combe Bank near Sevenoaks felt like travelling back in time for fifty-six years. You say I inspired them. The feeling is reciprocal, they inspired me with their enthusiasm and young wisdom. It was an honour and a pleasure. Thank you, Mags for organizing such a meaningful opportunity. Thank you to the students for being an attentive and interested audience.

Thank you also to Liz for the drives around Exeter and for transporting the extra books while I walked from Wells to Glastonbury – a mini pilgrimage I’ve been looking forward to walking for a number of years.

Mary in Ilminster, Tim and Gail in Farnham, Stuart and Susan in Newark, and Melanie and Barry in Handsworth – thank you all for providing sanctuary for a weary traveller. Hotels and eating out wear thin after a while and I cherish the respite from that tedium. Being welcomed by, and socializing with friends, did much to keep the fun factor high.

And Melanie, those Cheshire moor rambles have left me craving more. Their wild nature ispires my creative writing endeavors. On a grey windswept day the skylarks stopped singing, there being an ominous chill to the wind . ...

If I needed to come up with just one overarching word to describe the tour, it would be fun. No embellishments. My deep gratitude to each of you who contributed to a fun-filled book tour.