RICHARD KIRBY
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Setting out my stall

4 November 2013

Yesterday was a first for me. I had been invited to attend “Who’s in the Library”, an event which was taking place at Mansfield Library and although it was a 250-mile round trip, I had never done a book signing before and on the basis that I might never get asked again...
 
Elaine made the trek down to Nottinghamshire too – just so that there would be one person in the building that had actually heard of me! The special guest at the Doctor Who-themed afternoon was Nick Briggs, who is currently the man behind the voice of the Daleks. We received a warm welcome and Joanne, who had organised the event, had arranged a table and lovely little display for me – as the photo shows. 
 
I had no idea what to expect, but beforehand, I had told Elaine that selling ten books would be more than I could have hoped for. After twenty minutes, I would have settled for selling one book, because nobody seemed to notice my little stall. But then some interest, a bit of a chat, and a sale!
 
And then another, and another. Three books – that was the petrol cost covered. One more book and we could get a bite to eat too!
 
I would guess there were about one hundred and fifty people at the event, including a few dressed as various incarnations of the Doctor (which was a bit on an eye-opener!). Plenty of people came over for a chat, I was even asked to sign a few autographs – I did try and talk my way out of it, but they absolutely insisted. I also had a quick natter with Nick Briggs – he seems like a nice bloke. I gave him a copy of the book, so that’ll be the last I hear from him! 
 
In all, I sold eleven books. Perhaps that’s nothing to an established author, but I was genuinely thrilled. I have no idea whether or not I’ll be asked to do anything like this again – obviously I hope so – but it was great to be invited to this event and I’m certainly looking forward to finding out what the good folk of Mansfield thought of my book!