FTFFIF FRIDAY

What a week it has been. A good yet hectic week.

Sheila Quigley was officially signed up on Monday 11 May. We’d been meeting up at Starbucks in Borders for the last few weeks and we’re sure the staff thought something dodgy was going on. And oddly, as we were sat looking around for a contract witness in true Gretna style, who should walk in but the actor Craig Conway. Perfect timing. Craig’s in Cannes at the moment with The Tournament. Hope the weather is nicer than it is here today.

Sheila is a welcomed addition to the ever-growing list of Tonto titles and we’ve got more great publicity in place for her book. I’ve always been impressed not only by her writing, but her energy and drive in promoting herself and north-east writing in general. Feedback so far at the Crime Fest she’s at is that there is a ‘buzz’ about her signing for Tonto. The print version of the Bookseller was out today and most people down there are reading it for the first time.

The phone is a bit quieter today. It was a bit mental yesterday to say the least. Literary agents actually phoned from The London! The London, I tells ya!

Sidetrack: Always reminds me of the days in Tonto Towers. Paul answered a call one day and the woman caller’s opening gambit was ‘Oh, hello. I’m calling from London.’  What? London you say? And this was only last year. Luckily electricity had just caught on up North. It’s amazing what you can do with phones and that these days, isn’t it?

I was a bit concerned by the Bookseller article as I struggled with the ‘tiny’ label somewhat, but I’m sure I’ll cope. At least it’s kept Tonto in the headlines … and my New Year Revolution was to think positive and be positive. But tiny … come on. I’m mates with a few microscopic publishers and I bet they’re bricking it in case they get a newsworthy story.

On Wednesday I had a good night out watching Russ Hastings of From The Jam playing an acoustic set in Newcastle. It was a really enjoyable night listening to all The Jamclassics (apart from my favourite, Liza Radley) and watching a group of ‘tired and emotional’ people having a good dance. First time I’d seen such enthusiastic dancing to an acoustic set, mind.

All book info was sent over to the new sales and distribution team today. I’m really impressed with my sales rep, Clive. We met up last week for a cuppa and he’s got some great plans and is very much behind all Tonto titles. Always nice when someone believes in something as much as you do. With his help, I’m looking to be relabeled as regular-sized by the end of the year and am aiming for medium this time next year.

The future is bright…