Monday 21 October 2019

A Book Launch in the Museum...

Usually when I'm in Leicester, it's on a Friday for a Belmont Belles RNA Chapter meeting, so going to the city on a Saturday was unusual, especially when there was a big football match and memorial parade at the football stadium.

This time I was there for a book launch at the New Walk Museum, for Rosemary J Kind's new release, Unequal by Birth.
Cover design...

The museum was busy and popular with families. Just inside the entrance there was a large Lego figure displayed- think it was an Astronaut.

I will definitely visit another time as there was so much to see, including the art gallery that I passed through to get to the book launch in the Lord Mayor's room.

There were refreshments provided in the area outside the meeting room before the launch began, which gave me time to say hello to Rosemary in person- we've been friends online for many years but never met because of distance and no opportunity to be in the same county.

Rosemary's books for sale at the launch...
Rosemary read the opening chapter, that carries on the story of her characters from the earlier book New York Orphan.

There is another book in production...

Rosemary talked about the research she'd undertaken and the part the Orphan Train Movement in late 19th century America, featured in the first novel.

The Q&A followed, then there was the opportunity to buy a Rosemary's book (or books) and get them signed.

It was a lovely afternoon and I'm sure Rosemary's latest book will do well- she told her guests that on Saturday morning it was in the kindle charts ahead of Hilary Mantel and just behind Ken Follett- there's a screen shot on her Twitter account...

Sadly, I couldn't stay longer as I needed to get my train before the football match finished and lots of people headed for their trains home.
Fortunately, the station was only a five-minute walk away, barring getting across the road via a series of new pelican crossing points!

New Walk Museum
Leicester...
It was good to get away from my desk for an afternoon...

Have you been to a book launch in a place that wasn't a bookshop?




6 comments:

Julia Thorley said...

I love the museum in Leicester; there's always something going on. I'm also a fan of book launches in unusual places - I've had one in a cafe and another in the library of a country hotel, and my next one is in the local arts centre - and have been to them on boats on the Thames, one at Covent Garden, in country parks (chilly!), in pubs, village halls and museums.

Carolb said...

Julia- I was surprised at how much choice there was, and it was clear that it was family friendly by the number of children there.

Those are good examples of useful venues for book launches. Good luck with you launch at the Arts Centre. :-)

lostinimaginaryworlds.blogspot.com said...

I have held a book signing in Bamburg Castile, my book set in the place, and that was fun 🤗

Carolb said...

Lostin...That sounds a fabulous idea, and a great location.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

That sounds a lovely location, Carol. My very first book (a regency) was launched in the hall of a local museum and I dressed in (sort of) Regency fashion!

Carolb said...

Rosemary- it was a good location. The museum was along an old walkway, bordered by older houses on one side and tree-lined with old style light posts.

Your first book launch sounds fun, dressing up to suit the book. Another useful idea.