Here comes the second and last blog of my two week stint here at Tonto Books. This week has seen me focus on getting publicity for Rosalind Wyllie’s Everything You Ever Wanted and Stephen Shieber’s Being Normal. This has involved creating Press Releases and mainly getting the local press involved in their books. It has proved quite successful and we have many things in the pipe line for both, so they will have a busy few weeks ahead of them, keep an eye out for it in your local papers and radio stations.

The pair also came in to Tonto a few days ago to have the promo photos taken which you can see; they took it in their stride and look like pros in the making. I got the chance to speak to Ros and Stephen and build on what I already knew, in order to sell them in the best possible way. Their books are doing really well and receiving positive reviews and they haven’t even been officially released yet.

This will be my last blog for Tonto Books, as tomorrow is my last day. I have had a brilliant time working with them and have been kept very busy. I have gained a lot of insight into publishing books, and it has not put me off one bit.

Ashleigh

Paralympian Stephen Miller met up with his pal Kevin Keegan at Newcastle United’s training ground yesterday, and sent us some photos. Stephen has known Kevin since he was a toddler, and Kevin was kind enough to write the foreword for the book.

Stephen and King Kev

With Stephen’s Mam Ros

A previous meeting…

…and another
Paul

Here’s just some of the media coverage for Stephen Miller’s Paralympian book and launch. The Newcastle Evening Chronicle ran three days of double-page spreads, including a great interview that you can read here.

The Sunday Sun followed up on the launch here.

And BBC Sport ran a good feature about the book here.

Paul

A few more photos from Stephen Miller’s Paralympian launch:

Ian Payne interviews Stephen

Watching Miller the Movie

Team Tonto with Stephen (and Wor Al)

Stu, Stephen and Jill

A queue forms for signed books

Signing for the fans
Paul

Not satisfied with breaking world records ahead of Beijing, Stephen Miller broke a Tonto Books record last night. Right, one down, now let’s see how many other athletic clichés I can shoehorn into this post…

We were amazed by the level of support Stephen received. You never know how many to expect at a book launch, but as we’d been at Tonto Towers all day, we’d been unaware of the TV coverage for the signing on BBC Look North earlier in the day. So setting up shop, we had a mild panic as we realised we’d have a busy night ahead of us. By the time everyone was in for the event, our Tonto Audience Reader was going off the scale at 300 plus – a new personal best for Tonto.

There were some great moments – a DVD was played to introduce the night showing Stephen winning medals where we cheered along, applauded and were silenced by some of the more poignant moments. Tyne Tees TV presenter Ian Payne was the perfect host in a This is Your Life-style Q&A session, covering some of the book’s stories in more detail. As it drew to a close, Stephen received a standing ovation and went straight back into signing mode (we hope he didn’t strain his throwing arm too much). At one point, I was amazed to see a longer queue for Stephen’s autograph than there was at the bar. How often does that happen?

Massive thanks to everyone who attended. We now have a new Tonto Books Barmy Army on hand at our events and it was nice to see the return of one particular Tonto irregular who was once in the running for ‘Ligger of the Year’. Also there last night: Boxing champ Glen McCrory, ex-Newcastle United goalie Kevin Carr, Mike McCloud and Players Inc editor, Steve Wraith. Thanks also to Jill and Caroline for helping out on the bookstall.

Stu

Stephen Miller will be launching his autobiography Paralympian today, Thursday 24 July, 7.30pm at the Club 206 Suite, Level 3, St James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. There will be a talk-in, a quiz, a book signing, and several of Stephen’s sporting celebrity guests. Entry is free.

In other news, you can hear Sin Cities author Ashley Hames live on the radio tonight – on TalkSport with Ian Collins from 10pm, and, if you’re an ex-pat in Spain, on REM.fm with Maurice Boland at 7.40pm UK time.

Paul

Hi my name’s Ashleigh, no not Ashley Hames, for a start I’m a girl. Paul and Stu have kindly let me come into the world of Tonto Books for two weeks to get a taste of what it’s like working in publishing. And what a packed couple of days it has been so far! It was a good week to join the team as we are launching Stephen Miller’s Autobiography on Thursday, hope you can all make it! With that in mind I have been writing the press release for it, and inviting all the North East’s premier journalists along, as well as meeting Stephen himself, which was a pleasure.

Today has also been productive, as I work on the PR for Rosalind Wyllie’s Everything You Ever Wanted,this has seen me delving into the world of Women’s magazines, as if I needed any persuasion, in order to find out which type Rosalind’s book would appeal to more. I personally think it’s a great book and a perfect summer read. However, as a good few magazines now adorn my temporary desk, maybe it wasn’t a good idea to let me loose with the glossies!

Well it’s time to get back to work, I’m sure I’ll be back to let you all know how I’m getting on!

Ashleigh

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Paul

Wednesday evening saw the start of Ashley Hames’ Sin Cities book tour in Newcastle upon Tyne. Ashley’s shameless attempt to curry favour with the good people of Newcastle by wearing a Newcastle United shirt with ‘Sin Cities’ emblazoned on the back worked a treat, and the fantastic event at Waterstone’s was followed by a trawl through the city’s watering holes until the early hours.

Ashley in Stu in matching jackets related tomfoolery

Ashley enjoys Stephen Miller’s Paralympian

Ashley regales the crowd in Waterstone’s

Ashley gets wrist ache

Stephen, Paul and Ashley move on to a local watering hole

Stephen and Ashley with Jonny Kennedy author Roger Stutter

If you missed out, Waterstone’s have some extra signed copies of the book, while stocks last. Photos from York and Leeds will follow in the next couple of days. Further events and signings are planned across the country – watch this space. Next up will be Stephen Miller’s Paralympian launch on Thursday.

Paul

Ashley Hames’ Sin Cities book tour continues today (Thursday 17 July) as he appears at Waterstone’s in York for a book signing at 2pm, and then in Leeds for a talk and signing at 7pm. Click here to view Waterstone’s Ashley Hames events page.

The mini tour kicked off in fine style last night in Newcastle – thanks to everyone who came along, especially the bloke who curiously thought he was coming to see “Adam, as in Adam and Eve”. By all accounts it was one of the best events the store has ever had. Photos will hopefully appear here later today.

Paul