Sunday 17 August 2008

next I was on a plane to Manchester, England. This part of the trip melted without concern or thought from me. My dad picked me up at the airport and drove the two hours to Poulton le Fylde, a quiant little place in Lancashire. I had dinner and a good nights sleep back in the womb of my family, then Stephen Holland came and got me for the Page 45 event, two weeks ago on August 3rd, in Nottingham. This was the best organised book signing I have ever been involved in. Afterwards I did my set piece in the relaxed surroundings of the Canal House, a pub I'd drink in all the time if it lived near me. I appear to have been photographed from every possible angle there.




D'Israeli's blog, his flickr set, Glenn Carter's pictures, Natalie's Pictures
Thanks, Stephen, it was great to be with you again, and wee Paul Gravett too.

My set piece involves a complicated narrative explaining how an obscene expletive found its way, unbeknown to me, and flying under the watchful eye of both my editor and his proofreader, into a block of small print in The Fate of the Artist. I have the page open in the photo above and am just about to reveal it...

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9 Comments:

Blogger Yoga Gal said...

Now that's a booksigning! In the uptight States we'll never have a booksigning in a Pub! (We call them bars here). Still how fun it would be to be able to sip on a pint and enjoy a book reading from a talent writer. (Then I only sip beer in the Ball Park and at $8.00 a glass you sip - I love baseball - hell been engage two major league baseball players in my life - don't kiss and tell though) Still, again, allow me to state that Hayley is a natural beauty! Great pictures! Hats off to your fans/friends- namaste- geri

17 August 2008 at 13:14:00 GMT-5  
Blogger Isaac said...

EGAD! HAving now turned to the page in question and looked through the lorem ipsum, I am shocked!

For those of us who missed the reading and the setpiece, can you say any more about how the expletive got there?

17 August 2008 at 17:45:00 GMT-5  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hmm, how bizarre, my younger brother lives in Poulton (never heard any local add the "le-Fylde") and I had my first job there while still at school, at a crappy supermarket. Always liked the place, infinitely preferable to the hell-hole just down the road that is Blackpool.

I could have scooted to Nottingham for the day had I been more diligent and planned ahead. But I wasn't and didn't.

Ms Hayley C has some movie star charisma thing going on, yes indeed.

17 August 2008 at 21:45:00 GMT-5  
Blogger Faff said...

I missed the signing, but the wonderful Steve Holland was kind enough to get you to sign a book for me so the wife and I are still talking. I don't think I could have waited another 20 years for my next chance to chase you for a signed book

Sp thanks for the inscription Eddie, it made an eccentric book all the more special.


Pete Bangs

18 August 2008 at 16:48:00 GMT-5  
Blogger Bill Peschel said...

I'll have to check my copy. I looked last night, and with my rotten memory, I found the wrong page and wondered why "Fukken" could be the word.

Unless it was "fukken spaghetti", cause that's just gross, man.

18 August 2008 at 17:36:00 GMT-5  
Blogger Eddie Campbell said...

Isaac:
when on page 79 the detective says, 'That's the last of your evil designs, Evans,' he was wrong. There was still one evil design remaining to be discovered. It was a tme-bomb that didn't go of until after the book was printed; a final exquisite blow in a game of one-upmanship that played over several years.
and honest, I didn't know.

Eddie

18 August 2008 at 21:16:00 GMT-5  
Blogger Isaac said...

Kudos to Evans, then, I say. That's a nice bit of prankery, and totally consistent with the message of the book.

It's nice to think of that little squib as a sort of "monument to chaos" among the mown words of the lorem ipsum.

18 August 2008 at 22:18:00 GMT-5  
Blogger delboydare said...

Well Mr Campbell, it was a fine do. Thanks to y'self, Stephen and all the other fine bods involved.

Wonderful performance from y'self and I'll wing over the recording if so desired.

There was a lovely group of people there and I was sorry to leave early t' head back to London. Great meeting Natalie (diamond lady) and Hayley with her bo were charming. I'll keep an eye out around the Half Moon as they said to do.

The only gripe I have, is that in one of the pictures, I can see a bald spot on m' crown. Bollocks! Being 6'5", no one ever sees that. Ah, me mortally.

I'm gonna bottle that day up and sip it occasionally. I'm sure the memory will age well.

All my best,
Derek

20 August 2008 at 02:34:00 GMT-5  
Blogger spacedlaw said...

I had to go back to that pub the day after and read Monsieur Leotard in the sunset...
That was a great event. Many thanks again to Steve for organizing it.
So nice to have been able to meet you, Eddie.

And you Derek (diamond lady? Isn't that a little over the top?).

24 August 2008 at 11:00:00 GMT-5  

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