A writer’s dream: My first book signing

When my publishers, Olympia Publishers of London, told me about six weeks ago, shortly after my second novel had been published, that they had arranged for a book signing event for me at a renowned London library, I couldn’t believe it – my first book signing!! I was absolutely thrilled.

I arranged with the manager of Shepherd’s Bush Library, a wonderful lady named Ms Welsh, on a date in late September, since there were quite some other matters of all sorts I had to fix in the meantime: my mother’s gall stone operation and my daughter’s enrolment at college back in Piraeus – and me and my fiancé giving notice of our intended marriage back here in London! So, time passed in a flash, and suddenly the book signing date was almost there.

Of course, like everybody else would, I got into a panic the last moment – I had to have enough copies of my book, flyers, bookmarks, posters… I was VERY fortunate that both Olympia Publishers and Ms Welsh from Shepherd’s Bush Library were enormously helpful, and so I was well equipped when the big moment came…

BUT, of course, I’d never done this before!! Chairs had been set up, refreshments for the guests – and I’d have to tell them about my book, answer their questions, and so on… Ian, my fiancé, my rock and my inspiration, was there, of course, which made me feel SO much better (and he also did a great job as a photographer), and Ms Welsh was so reassuring – and then people started dropping in, and they were all SO nice and kind, I started thinking I was walking in a dream!

The session passed in no time, there was a lot of fun and laughter, photos were taken, books were signed – the PERFECT book signing! Last night, maybe more than ever before, I realised how lucky I am to be a writer – what a great job that gives you the privilege to meet such great people…