I’ve spent the past week in bed with a chest infection, so I’m blogging about this later than planned. I’ve also had to miss out on the snow here in Slovakia, and the Christmas market, and I was gutted that I had to cancel a book signing in Brno in the Czech Republic last week. To everyone who was going to go, I’m sorry that I couldn’t make it. We are going to re-arrange it for early next year, so stay tuned. Right up until the day before, I was determined to go, but after a visit to the doctor where antibiotics were prescribed, I was told sternly I had to stay in bed. So that’s where I’ve been. Slowly getting better, but going mad. On the plus side, I’ve managed to do a lot of reading!
I had a great trip to Prague the first week of December, where I did my first proper book signing at the Palác Knih, Neo Luxor, in Wencelas Square, which translates as ‘The Palace of Books’. (I figured that if you’re going to do your first book signing, there’s nothing like doing it in a palace) It was for the launch of Temné hlubiny the Czech language edition of Dark Water.
We stayed right on the square, with a great view of the city.
The PR at my Czech publisher, Grada warned me in advance that there might only be a few people who turn up, as I’m a new author, and it was my first book signing. I needn’t have worried, when we arrived at the Palác Knih NeoLuxor, it was crowded, and there were lines of people snaking all the way to the back of the bookshop.
There was a question and answer session at the beginning, where I was ably helped by the translator, and then we ‘christened’ the book. It’s a tradition I hadn’t come across before living in Slovakia, and visiting the Czech Republic. Grada asked my husband, Ján if he would be the ‘Godfather’ for Temné hlubiny (for a christening a book has a godfather or a godmother) and we toasted the book with glasses of champagne, and then we poured a little was poured onto the book, a baptism of sorts. (see the video below) My Czech editor managed to look both pleased and aghast, as we soaked a perfectly good book in booze… I hope, at least, it was dried out on a nearby radiator.
After the christening, I settled down for the book signing. It was wonderful to meet so many amazing readers, and Czech book bloggers and I wished I had more time to talk to everyone. Thank you to everyone who came along.
Grada then organised an afterparty at Oliver’s Coffee Cup, also in Wenceslas Square, where I got the opportunity to meet so many the fabulous book bloggers in the Czech Republic, and thank them for all their support for the Erika Foster books, and this was a wonderful end to a great day.
The next day I had the chance to see posters for the books on the Prague Metro, which was another dream come true. The poster in the tunnel was easy enough to photograph…
But the one on the escalator was a little difficult, which involved travelling up a long escalator, and then just before the top, I had to turn and start climbing back down it the wrong way…
It was a fantastic visit, and I want to say thank you to everyone at Grada, who were so kind and organised so many great events and really looked after us.
I really wanted to end with a photo of the Christmas Market in Prague, but time got away from me, and I didn’t get the chance to take pictures. So I have this picture from a couple of years back, when we took our dog Ricky to Prague. If in doubt, end with a cute puppy! 🙂
Thank you to my readers and the incredible book bloggers all over the world who have made this an unforgettable year. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, very happy holidays and have a very healthy and prosperous new year.
See you next year for more books!
Rob x