Friday, September 27, 2013

Whatever happens to the book now – sales or no sales – I’ll always have Hassop

There were around 100 people there at the launch of Plotting for Grown-ups, at Hassop Station, which was wonderful, and also (frankly) amazing. Guests kept arriving, and half of them were people I didn’t know! It was the launch of Sally Howe’s dreams.

But here’s the thing. There weren’t any paparazzi, so in the absence of Isaac, I asked my brothers to take some pictures, and the lighting was not kind.

launch 8

launch 4

Here’s Jane reading the answers to the prize quiz:

launch 9

And me, doing a reading - the tussle on the Trail:

launch 1

The queue to have books signed:

launch 2

And the signing of said books:

launch 3

launch 5

launch 6

There was a copy of Plotting for Grown-ups hidden on the shelves of the bookshop - free to whoever found it. (My postman and his wife.)

And here is the quiz, for completeness:

Prize Quiz

1/ When was the railway line opened between Bakewell and Buxton?

2/ When was it closed?

3/ How many tunnels are there on the Monsal Trail?

4/ What are they called? (1 point for each correct name)

5/ Which of Sue Hepworth’s four books does NOT mention the Monsal Trail?

6/ Quotes which appear in Plotting for Grown-ups

Match up the following 7 quotes with the famous people who wrote or said them (listed below the quotes)

“Twice a week I go to a beauty salon and have my hair blown dry. It’s cheaper than psychoanalysis, and much more uplifting.”

“Middle age is when you’re sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn’t for you.”

“The last time I was dating, string underpants were in fashion.”

“Well if I rang the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?”

“God made the world round so we would never be able to see too far down the road.”

“I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.”

“All I need for perfect happiness is a digging bar and a splitting mall.”

Karen Blixen (pen name: Isak Dinesen); Sally Howe (heroine of Plotting for Grown-ups); Henry Thoreau; Ogden Nash; Sally Howe’s brother Richard; Nora Ephron; James Thurber.

7/ Which place below do you think is NOT mentioned in Plotting for Grown-ups?

The Monsal Trail; The David Mellor shop, Hathersage; Hassop Station; Midco Builders Merchants, Bakewell; Fischer’s Restaurant, Baslow; The Royal Academy, London; Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath; Maazi restaurant, Matlock; Chatsworth Farm Shop; John Hattersley Wines, Bakewell; The Café at Caudwell Mill, Rowsley; Hassop Hall.

 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It looks like fun was had by all. Congratulations on a successful launch and may sales soar!

Now, I don't want to rush you or anything but do you have the next book in mind??? (Just joking, well, sort of...)

CA

Sue Hepworth said...

Thanks, Chris. Your question about another book could be perceived as a tad stressful - but enthusiasm from readers is always to be welcomed! So - wait and see.