At the beginning of this month I went to the HarperCollins Summer Party (I know, I’m so late to blog about this!). Authors, publishing folk, agents galore (who were told not to poach), press and a flurry of celebs all gathered in the courtyard of the very perfect V&A Museum.
The food was amazing, ham cut off the bone served with rye bread, salmon and sun-dried vegetable canapés were delivered by truly stunning individuals, the champagne supply was endless and the dessert display was possibly the most beautiful sight that I have ever seen. It was a celebration.
Victoria Barnsley (c.e.o) gave a speech welcoming us all. Strong women always make me happy, but in all honesty her speech hit a nerve. She spoke about Hilary Mantel and ‘Wolf Hall’ and how it was Hilary’s tenth novel. She spoke about not giving up and about good writing always finding an audience.
At times in the night I probably said a few things that I shouldn’t, resulting in ‘Do you not feel like writer?’ and ‘But you write other things anyway, yes?’. And at times I gushed far too much at a writer I admired, another I was slightly scared of and a very famous man in a cool hat. I spoke to my lovely agent at the party too, she is wise beyond her years.
Nearly a month on and I have realised how much I learned at the party (and thus needed to share this post with you!):
That I’d very much love to be invited to another HarperCollins party (which means I should get my backside in gear and write that second novel of my two book deal).
That good writing will find an audience.
That I need to read ‘Wolf Hall’.
That not being able to recognise famous people is funny.
And finally, that boob glue is clever (thank you Rowan!).
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
In response to what you’ve learned:
* Yes, you have to write your other book. I need my Caroline fix! I’ve already read Like Bees To Honey three times!
* Good writing will always find an audience, somehow some way. It might take a while, but it DOES happen (at least I keep telling myself this)
* You DO need to read Wolf Hall. Though it took me a little while to get into it, it is a cracking good read and is absolutely wonderful.
* I don’t know that I’ve ever met any famous people…except for Carol Shields and Christopher Moore. As I was at signings, it was hard to not recognize them. LOL
* Robert, when he does drag as Barbie, SWEARS by boob glue! Apparently it works miracles!
Huggles to you honey
Me!
Twitter: @jamiesonwolf
I think I love your husband! Drag as Barbie - ao delicious! x
‘Boob glue’? WTF? yes get on with writing your next novel, I’m desperate to read it! Me, me, me, it’s all about me and my needs
Twitter: @djkirkby
It stops your boobs falling out of a dress… who would believe there was such a thing!
x
I might try some of that boob glue, but I understand that it doesn’t work miracles.
Twitter: @jonnyb
Oh it does and please note that I practically mentioned you in this post
x
Thanks for sharing this. Not recognising celebrities IS a hoot, isn’t it? You can usually tell they’re famous by the ‘do you know who I am?’ look, or the ‘over-the-shoulder’ glances. Sometimes, though, they’re just lovely in person though, aren’t they? Stephen Fry is a little gem. Jonathan Ross is too… and… now I’m just name-dropping. I’ll shut up. Do write your book. Next time you go to one of these, you’ll be primed to twinkle even brighter than you did this time.
From your other comments in the post, I imagine you may be experiencing that thing I’ve seen most writers on Twitter go through. I don’t have a name for it. Um… Interaction Overwhelm? Not quite right. Hang on… no, that’s the best I’ve got. That thing where you’ve got lots of followers - as I know you have - and you enjoy the interaction, but sometimes you think:
‘Blooming heck. Look how many people are in the room. This is a little bit freaky. I’m a little bit vulnerable here. I’m still in my PJs. My editing’s not done. I don’t know how to help this person get an agent. I haven’t time to read this other person’s novel. I forgot to reply to that RSVP. I haven’t picked up food for Auntie Grimelda’s Bring Your Own Dish Buffet. Eek!’ Maybe not quite like that, but a bit like that. Meanwhile, every fifth follower is determined to analyse your tweets for grammatical errors, and judge your work accordingly. They’re not, but it feels that way.
I think they should make twitter teflon for writers! Back in the day, someone would announce they were a published author, and an impenetrable aura of greatness (accompanied by as many kick-a** angels as were required to keep the ‘normals’ at bay) would spring up around said author. The jobs of a writer would be: to write; to sit on a few sofas and talk about their books, and to be adored. It’s better now, in that people can talk to their favourite writers, but I sometimes wonder if it’s any better for those writers. Sometimes, it feels as if everyone on twitter has ‘writer’ in their bio. If they don’t, then they certainly have an opinion about writing. Sometimes, I’ve observed, authors are forced to doggy paddle in a pool of opinion for much of the day. Much of it is not the kind of opinion that elevates the creative mind. A dip in that kind of pool can’t be very refreshing for the muse. Sometimes, it’s positively icky.
Until a refreshing ego-shower is invented that washes one free of the egos of others, and stimulates one’s own ego sufficient to be able to say: ‘I am Writer, hear me roar/whimper/ponder’ then I’m sure many attendants at these kinds of parties will be asked the question: ‘Do you not feel like writer?’
Crikey. That was a long comment. Sorry. You rock!
Rebecca.
Twitter: @rebeccawoodhead
What an amazingly wise comment. Yes, all of it, every bit! You rock too! x
Um, boob glue? Hmm? Please elaborate!
Sounds like a fab party. And yes, please write that second novel!
Twitter: @tallioland
Amazing party and the boob glue story must not be told on here
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