Saturday 7th December 2024
at Memorable Events Wedding & Gift Shop,
Ilkeston, Derbyshire
An unexpected picture book for 2024 meant that I never considered a book launch. So when Mandy got in touch to ask if I would like to celebrate the new book at her shop once again, the answer of course was yes please! Sometimes it is good to stop and appreciate what you've achieved before you move on to your next project.
This was my third book launch at Memorable Events, and what I love about using the same venue is it feels like we are slowly growing a small local community who come back each year to see us. There are always new faces each time, but there are familiar faces too. It is a joy to see children another year older, but still returning to collect the next book. I know these moments can't last forever, but maybe that's what makes them so special.
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2024 has been a particularly difficult year for small businesses, and it feels like towns such as Ilkeston have been hit hard once again. I have endless admiration for the high street shops like Memorable Events who have found a way to keep going. I have found this year a real struggle too, so I can't imagine what it is like to have the extra pressures of rent and bills to pay on a bricks and mortar shop.
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This book launch felt like a bit of a long shot if I'm honest. I wondered if the interest was there, and I wondered how we could tempt people out of their warm houses onto the cold streets in a town in the East Midlands. To add to the problems, there were new electricity cables being installed right outside the shop, so this meant half the pavement was cordoned off with safety barriers. The shop was still easily accessible, but from an outsiders point of view, it did not look good. Just to add further disruption, Storm Darragh had been plastered all over the news that day, advising most people in the UK not to travel. We were going to need some serious Christmas magic.
Enter: Santa!
Luckily, Mandy has a direct line to Father Christmas, so once she told him of our struggles, he was more than happy to offer his services in any way he could.
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As I arrived, battling through the cold wind (the storm wasn't half as bad as I was expecting), I saw that Santa was ringing his bell up and down the street, while passes cars tooted their horns to say hello. Suddenly it gave the street some life and people were interested in what was happening at the little Christmas gift shop. Before we knew it, the shop was full of families queuing up to see Santa, and then children were directed to a little seating area where I was able to show them my new book and read my other stories too. The busy flurry of children only lasted an hour, but it did the trick. Good old Santa Claus, he never lets you down.
During the few hours I was there, I realised just how important book launches are to me. They are essential for feedback! Before that day I must admit, I was struggling to work out exactly who Box of Treasures was for. Quite a difficult sell, a book without words. I found myself faced with a group of excitable 4 year olds, and carefully tried to explain what the story was about. Very quickly, it became apparent that they wanted to hear a story told to them, so I reached for another of my books with words. Before I knew it, I had read all 4 of my previous books. Trying to engage a young audience in my newest offering was proving tricky.
Feeling slightly deflated, the shop became quieter and a boy I recognised came in with his Nan. He has been to all of my book launches and I knew who he was straight away. He asked to see the new book, and I explained a bit about it. He is around the age of ten, so I assumed picture books weren't of any interest to a boy of that age. However, he was immediately engaged and suggested very brilliantly who the fox might be and why he might have been drawn to that particular garden in the first place. He went away with a signed copy, and I felt a spark of inspiration.
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Later, eight year old, Lily (another familiar face) came to look over the new book and calendar illustrations. She also loved the idea of the story and it didn't seem to matter at all that there weren't any words. Again, lots of ideas about the little toy treasures (and questions, which I loved!), and she was insistent that it was a story for younger children too because they could make up their own stories to the images. Thank you Lily - this is what I was waiting to hear!
Next up for a visit was the new Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Kate Fennelly. She was visiting local businesses that day with a fellow local Councillor, Greg Maskalick. I had such a lovely conversation with them both individually. Firstly to Kate about our love of foxes! I very much appreciated her buying a calendar and it was a complete honour that she showed support with us. Then to Greg about how my wordless picture book could be a great way to encourage creativity among SEND students. He bought a copy to show his year seven SEND pupils, and I really hope he is right.
Next up was a visit from the local MP, recently elected, Adam Thompson. He was somebody else doing the rounds, visiting local businesses that day, and showing support where he could. I realised later what an incredibly busy day he must've had, he'd visited so many places in the Erewash area that day! I know Mandy and I were incredibly touched that he'd taken the time to visit the shop. He was given a hand painted Ay Up Me Duck (by the very hard working, Lizzie, that day!) as a thank you, and to my surprise he bought 2 of my prints to decorate his London office with East Mids offerings! Very honoured and proud.
I would like to say a huge thank you to Mandy and all the team at Memorable Events, who created something really special that day at a very strange time where the odds feel stacked against us. An enormous thank you to all the children and families who popped by to support us. You wouldn't believe what a difference you made. I had such a lovely time, and whatever happens in future, we will always remember this.
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Box of Treasures is available to buy now, follow the link to my online Etsy shop.