It's Launched

So, last night was the launch party for Me and Mickie James. I’d been dreading it for the few days before, being so nervous. Writing is the opposite of performance. I never normally have to see people’s reactions. Except when I kick them hard.

I had a quick drink in the Slug and Lettuce - a pint of vodka - and then it was over to Waterstones. First off there were loads of books, thousands of them everywhere on tables. My book I mean.

Then people arrived. There were loads, family, friends, people from work. Then the lovely Fish introduced me, then I read a few bits, then I signed copies for people that were buying them, or stealing them.

Salman Rushdie’s record of signing 1000 + books in an hour wasn’t in danger of being broken as I was a bit drunk and hyper by this time and engaged everyone in conversation and then wrote in terrible handwriting a message in which I spelt nearly every word wrong.

Highlights were when my uni friend who I hadn’t seen for 15 years, marched up the stairs behind me when I was reading, a bit late. And also when I was reading as I finished my glass of bubbly another glass was filled and pushed towards me.

That’s the life.

Afterwards we went to The Basement Bar which I’d hired and danced. Me and Will had done a playlist for the evening which we’d put onto an iPod. As people got drunk about 6 people crammed themselves into the DJ box at a time fighting over which song was next. Kylie got about 1 minute, Rock the Casbar got played about 50 times and we had Cyndi Lauper’s Goonies song so it was all quite classy.

Apparently I fell over at one point in the ladies toilets. But I dispute this as I have no memory of it.

What I do remember is being the last to arrive at The Basement as I went for a sandwich and was last to leave Waterstones. I walked in the bar, everyone was there, I marched straight into the ladies toilets. Walked back out again. Went back out of the bar. Then came back in again.

A big thank you to everyone that came! And for those who sent lovely messages to me who couldn’t come.

Now, back to work tomorrow morning and having my ears syringed tomorrow afternoon. Great!

Read the first few pages of Me and Mickie James over on Pulp.net

Currently listening to - the new Marillion song, whatever is wrong with you? Download it for free by clicking on the link and there’s a chance to win £5000.