An amazing adventure in the UK

Dear world traveling reader,

Publicist Samantha Eades listens in while I record an interview at BBC in London.

My husband Sam and I just returned from a whirlwind tour of the UK, and I hardly know where to begin my letter. So I suppose I’ll begin at the beginning, just to give you a sense of how incredible, fast-paced, and touching our experience was.

Sam and I with Waterstones booksellers during a London dinner. We had all learned that The Snow Child was #8 on the UK bestseller list.

When we landed in London after a 16-hour journey, we found Samantha Eades waiting for us with a driver. Samantha is the  lovely and talented publicist with my UK publisher Headline. She rushed us to the hotel through narrow London streets, we tossed our luggage into the room, and then we all headed to the BBC Western House where I immediately did an interview with RTE Arena, an Irish national radio station. Then it was off to the Headline offices on Euston Road, where we were welcomed by my editor Mary-Anne Harrington, the wonderful team of people there with glasses of champagne, and the news that The Snow Child had just landed at #8 on the UK bestseller list.

Celebrating with the Headline publishing team.

But this day was not over. I signed more than 300 copies of the book in their office, then we were whisked to a dinner with UK press members, including people from We Love This Book, The Sunday Express, Woman and Home, Hearst,and The Bookseller. I don’t know that I’ve ever enjoyed such wonderful, bookish dinner conversation.

In the late hours of the night, Sam and I returned to our hotel so we could stare at the ceiling for a few hours, because of course back home it was the middle of the day.

Morning came quickly, and for breakfast I joined Samantha and Sandy Mahal of the Reading Agency, a UK charity designed to promote reading. Then we headed to the BBC Television Centre for an interview with the insightful Tim Masters (his next gig was the Oscars.)

But the day was still young — I jumped on a train with my editor Mary-Anne and Barbara from Headline, and we went to have lunch with Sue, the fiction buyer from the book retailer WHSmiths. As I enjoyed a steak pie and mash, the four of us talked about everything from school programs for children to the novels we love to read.

A Snow Child display in the window of a London Waterstones.

A train ride back into London, and I arrived at the hotel just in time for two telephone interviews — BBC Dumfries and the Irish Examiner.

Sam and I then quickly changed for dinner and jumped in an Addison Lee taxi to be swept off to the Albannach Restaurant near Trafalgar Square. Kim from Headline had organized a delightful and impressive dinner with staff from Waterstones, one of the largest book retailers in the UK. Waterstones had chosen The Snow Child for their prestigious Wasterstones 11, as well as named it their book of the month for February. With news that The Snow Child has landed on the bestseller list, the dinner was a celebration for all of us. There was a traditional Scottish dinner, glasses of champagne and even tiny silver sparklers to light up the night. As I visited with everyone, again and again I had the sense that if they were our neighbors, we would be dear friends. It was a magical evening.

Our journey, though, was only half done. Tomorrow I’ll tell you about the rest.

Cheerio!

Eowyn

11 Comments

  • Sarah Davis says:

    Wow what an adventure you have had. I’ve seen the book at my local waterstones in Greenwich. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to have read and reviewed the book last october

  • My, my, my, my my, Eowyn. I don’t know how you ever kept up that pace. Sounds wonderful though. I can hardly wait for your next update!

  • Melodie says:

    So busy and what fun! Can’t wait for your next installment…

  • Mr. Jim says:

    Ya-hooty girl sounds like quite a ride. We will have to get together and have you tells us all about it. You say a traditional Scottish dinner. Was Haggis on the Menu?

  • Sue Mathis says:

    Sounds like you guys were kept very busy! I’m looking forward to your next installment, but I am also looking forward to book club when you can tell us more about your adventure in person! I was in London years ago – did you find the driving on the “wrong” side of the street a little unnerving?

  • Pam Ivey says:

    Fantastic…..remember Eowyn….it’s real….an opportunity of a lifetime – one that so may works want and can’t receive. A true blessing for a very special lady.

  • Novel Girl says:

    Thanks got sharing. I always love hearing about your trips. 🙂

  • Yaya says:

    Sounds wonderful!-but glad you are both home safe and sound. (Now doesn’t that sound just like a grandparent?)

  • Donna Braendel says:

    What an exciting time! And I know you have made many new friends across the pond in the process!

  • Melissa Behnke says:

    Whew! How exciting, and you have made me feel like I was right there with you! I’m looking forward to the next installment.

  • limebirdbeth says:

    Lovely! I’m glad you had fun here! 🙂