For this week's #HistFicThursdays blog, I'm delighted to be welcoming Rosemary Hayward to the blog with a guest post about her new release Strait Lace , as part of her Coffee Pot Book Club tour. Read on to discover the history surrounding this fabulous book. But first, let's meet the book... Blurb It is 1905. Edwardian England. Harriet Loxley, the daughter of a vicar and niece to a prominent Nottingham lace manufacturer, spends her days playing cricket with her brother, scouring the countryside for botanical specimens, and never missing an opportunity to argue the case for political power for women. Given the chance to visit the House of Commons, Harriet witnesses the failure of a historic bill for women’s voting rights. She also meets the formidable Pankhurst women. When Harriet gets the chance to study biology at Bedford College, London, she finds her opportunity to be at the heart of the fight. From marching in the street, to speaking to hostile c...
11th April 2017
The Ropewalk
Barton upon Humber
North Lincolnshire
 |
Rows of "Day's Dying Glory" from the initial print run.
Many thanks to Caroline Watson for the photo.
|
The first of anything is always a daunting experience. The
first book launch for a story that has been years in the making, and embodying
a little segment of our souls into each page, is a terrifying experience.
We’ve been planning the launch of Day’s Dying Glory by Virginia Crow for several
months now so, when the time came to make it over to The Ropewalk in
Barton-on-Humber on the 11th April, we weren’t really sure what to
say.
The tension disappeared, however, when we arrived at The
Ropery Hall and people started arriving. My sister, Judith, had surprised us by
travelling down that day – all the way from the north of Scotland – to be with
us on this momentous occasion. As more and more people arrived, some of whom I
knew from when we lived in Lincolnshire, the atmosphere grew more and more
enjoyable.
After I introduced the author, Virginia Crow read us some
sections from her book. The readings were centred around the three main
characters – sisters living initially in a Highland lodge. With clarity
and sensitivity, Virginia led us through some events in her book.
For the event, 8 young people from the Duckegg TheatreCompany were performing 4 scenes from the book. Their acting was fabulous and
it was stunning to see how they had interpreted the text. I enjoyed this,
sitting back and appreciating all the hard work that had gone into this
production.
 |
| The Duckegg Theatre Company performing a battle scene! |
There was also a quiz with 15 questions – all about the era
in which the book is set. The questions were difficult and the winners got 10
of the questions right. After the Orkney book launch on the 6th May, I will post this quiz online and see if anyone on here can answer the questions!
 |
A beautiful (and DELICIOUS!) cake by Linda Lawcock.
Thanks again to Caroline Watson for the photo.
|
It was disappointing when the evening came to an end, but we
all had a slice of cake which Linda Lawcock had made for us (see Cakes by Linda
on Facebook) and Virginia signed the books that people had bought. Overall, it was
a wonderful evening and a fabulous start to what I hope will be a successful
book launch campaign.
17th April 2017
Innerpeffray Library
Innerpeffray
Crieff
The Library at Innerpeffray made a lovely setting for the
Perthshire launch of Day’s Dying Glory. The room was not too big, giving it a
personal feel as we sat around listening to readings from the author and asking
any questions that popped into our heads.
The readings chosen were centred around significant
characters: Major Tenterchilt, Hamish and the three sisters – Arabella, Imogen
and Catherine. The book launch event was focussed on the book’s characters and
many of the questions reflected this. (When pushed, Virginia Crow claims her
favourite character is Mr Dermot, the family lawyer).
 |
| Virginia Crow with "Day's Dying Glory" at Innerpeffray Library |
Once the readings and questions had finished, the guests
were invited to take a look at some of the favours on offer (seeds, soap,
bookworms!), and given an opportunity to buy a book and have it signed. This
they did, with excitement! Signing books also gave Virginia a chance to have a
better chat with them about the book, and about their own reading preferences.
A local businesswoman from Caithness, Tartan at Heart, had
made a Day’s Dying Glory range of keyrings, bookmarks and brooches. All of
these items used the Gordon dress tartan, as some of the key characters in the
book are from the Gordon clan. The items were priced competitively and looked
beautiful.
 |
| One of the items from Tartan at Heart's "Day's Dying Glory" range! |
We could handle some of the books which, for me, was quite a
special experience. We love books…we always have…but to handle something that
had been used by generations and generations of families was so exhilarating.
The book I held was an old pocket book, with a vellum cover which had lasted
surprisingly well.
As we drove away, sad to leave such a place, we discussed
how different it was to the Lincolnshire Book Launch, but how equally memorable
and special it had been.
 |
Virginia Crow in the Library. Innerpeffray is a beautiful library,
steeped in history and a sincere love of books.
|
Buy your kindle copy of Day's Dying Glory here, for only 99p!
Great blog - really sets the scenes - and demonstrates some of the planning involved to get the message about Day's Dying Glory out there. Also encourages a re-reading of this 21st century novel which is capable of taking one right back to the early 19th. Top blog and most impressive first novel.
ReplyDelete