A ‘RARE’ Weekend With Piatkus
There are some weekends you know will stay with you for a lifetime, and this weekend is most definitely one of those for me. Not only did I visit the stunning Little, Brown offices in London to meet with my Piatkus publishing team, but I also took part in my first ever signing event.
FRIDAY 23rd February
Walking into the offices on Victoria Embankment was a dream come true for me. It even managed to exceed my expectations. The inside of that building is seriously beyond stunning. As an added bonus, the Little, Brown team are some of the loveliest people you could hope to meet. Everyone I was introduced to made me feel so welcome. Thank you hugely to Elaine, Tim, Charlie, Amy and Ellie for taking time out of your busy schedules to chat and say hello. A massive thank you too to Anna, my wonderful editor, for giving me a guided tour around the building and up onto the rooftop for a stunning view across London, as well as Sophia, my fabulous publicist, who I got to meet in person for the first time.
Above: Outside and then inside the Little, Brown offices; spotting Harry Potter in the lobby; and the views from the rooftop.
After my tour and a meeting with both Anna and Sophia, they then took me and my husband out for dinner to end the day. Thank you both for such a fantastic evening at Vanilla Black – incredible food and superb company. I only wish we’d paused for breath long enough for me to remember to take a picture!
SATURDAY 24th February
Above: The view from my hotel room, showing the sun rising across London in the direction of the Little, Brown offices.
The RARE event itself, held at The Olympia in London, was more than I could have hoped for. After a quick hour of setting up, the doors opened to early entry tickets at 9.30 am followed by general entry at 11 am, with the event running right through until 4.30 pm. The day just flew by. There were 1500 attendees, visiting over 100 authors. The atmosphere was beyond incredible.
Above: Setting up my table before everyone arrives; and a quick visit to the Piatkus table (featuring Amy from marketing and Ellie from editorial).
Meeting so many of my readers was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The morning was non-stop, with three hours solid of signing to kick-start the day. Thank you to every single person who came to visit my table and for waiting so patiently to see me. Whether you were one of my established readers or brand new to me on the day, it was brilliant to meet you.
Above: Meeting some of my fantastic supporters; and featuring in the RARE magazine.
So many hugs, so many smiles and lots of laughter, and a few happy tears too (I’m particularly blaming you, Julia W, Donna, Niamh and Natasha). I was more than a little overcome when superfan Natasha approached my table with one of the advertising quotes from my series on her custom-made T-shirt. Sadly my photograph was blurred, so I pinched one from Natasha’s Facebook page where she’s wearing the T-shirt. It was such a pleasure to meet you, Natasha, and your Russian accent was beautiful!
Thank you hugely to the RARE team for organising such a seamlessly well-organised and positive event. And thank you too to the Piatkus team who offered support throughout the day to their authors – we’re very lucky to have you!
Above: Signing off at the end of the day with Ellie, Anna and Amy.
Lastly, I can’t thank my amazing husband enough for assisting me on the day and for all the weeks of support prior in preparing for this event. Thank you for being a hugely significant part of such a memorable experience. I couldn’t have done this without you.
AND BACK TO WORK…
Well, after all of that excitement, it’s a return to the writing cave for me! If there was one question asked more than any other on the day it was when Blood Broken is going to be out, so I’d best get right back to it!
I’ll be back soon!
xxx
Comments
This is an absolutely awful post. How could you? I was already green with envy this just did me in.
Oh, Michelle. I’m so sorry to add to your pain. Can I offer to send Eden around to cheer you up? Shall I bring him to the next event to make it up to you??
What a amazing few days at RARE18,i had a perminant smile on my face the whole day/night,it was my first ever signing,but by no means my last as i am now hooked…….you was amazing Lindsay as i know you was nervous,but you shone through with your awesome personality…..you did yourself proud and Tim was a darling…..xx
I’m hooked too, Dawn. I’m definitely going to do another. I’m so pleased you had such an amazing time. Wasn’t it fantastic? Roll on the next one!! I’m relieved you think I did myself proud. Five minutes in and I completely forgot I was at a signing. It was just incredible to meet so many readers after all this time. And, yes, Tim was simply wonderful with it all, I couldn’t agree more. xx
Oh, it looks like the event was amazing. Thrilled that you found it so worthwhile. Next time I AM THERE!
It was absolutely brilliant, Incy. I loved every moment. It was so much fun and the atmosphere was incredible. I’ll be over the moon if you can make the next one!
Aww, what a lovely day for you guys. I’m so jealous to all the attendees! Maybe next time!
It would be fabulous if you could make the next one, Louise. You would love it. *fingers crossed*
Can’t believe I missed it Lindsay. It looked amazing. So glad your fans came out in force. Next time for sure I’ll be there x
They did indeed, Jennifer. It was beyond amazing to meet so many of my readers and finally put faces to names. They give very good hugs too! It would be brilliant if you could make it next time. I promise you’d love it. xx
So happy you had such a wonderful time. The photos are amazing. 😊💜💜💜
Thank you so much, Stephanie. I’m so glad you like the photos. There were so many I forgot to take. I got too caught up in everything to remember. 😆
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences! Your visit to the mothership must have been amazing ❤
I’m thrilled that RARE went well for you, I so wish I could’ve been there with you! xxx
The Little, Brown offices are truly incredible, Tracey. And everyone is beyond lovely there – so friendly and accommodating.
I wish you could have been at RARE too. I have my fingers tightly crossed for next time! xxx
I’m so glad you had a great event… and someday soon, I’ll get there. Hugs!
Oh I do hope so, Kat. I would absolutely love to meet you. If I’m ever across the pond… ((hugs))
What a fantastic time it must have been! I love seeing the photos and can just imagine how exciting it was! 👏🏼❤️☺️
It was so brilliant, Suzanne. I loved every moment of it. I’m not sure if it shows?? 😆😍 I’m so glad you liked the photos. I didn’t take half as many as I wanted to. I got too caught up in the day! I guess that’s a good sign though. ❤️
Fantastic event…..this Yankee is very jealous!
I have my fingers tightly crossed you’ll get to the UK some time, Linda. I would LOVE to meet you after all this time.
Looks like you had a fab time!! Wish I would have been able to attend!
It was such an amazing experience, Sarah. I waved to Canada. 👋🏻❤️
Keep writing lovely lady even though I don’t want to know the outcome. 😭😭😭 you were amazing and it was so so fab to finally hug and squeeze you. I’m so happy it went so well for you. Huge hugs always. ❤️❤️❤️
It was sooooo good to meet you after all this time, Niamh, and you were every bit as lovely as I imagined. It was fab to be able to hug and squeeze you too. I’m so glad you had such an amazing day. Huge hugs back at you. ❤️❤️❤️
What an amazing weekend!! I wish I could have been there.😍😍😍
Ah me too, MonicaLee. One day I WILL meet you, even if I have to ferry you across the pond myself. 😆😘
Meeting you at Rare was definitely one of my favourite things from the whole day.💗
I’m so happy I finally got to squeeze you. You are amazing and I wish I could of spent longer at your table. Thank you for being so sweet. xx
Aww, absolute ditto, Susan. ❤️ It was fantastic to meet you after all this time. I’m so glad I got to squeeze you too. Yes, fingers crossed that I get to spend longer talking to you next time. It was really hard to have to keep moving my readers through. I was loving chatting way too much! Thank you so much for coming to see me. xx
Looks like you had a fab day Lindsay, fantastic experience 🙂
It was an incredible experience, Del. I’m so glad I did it. ❤️
I’m so very happy that your first signing was a raring success, I’m still on cloud 9 after meeting you and your wonderful husband Tim, and many many thanks for signing all my books & my old school exercise book, and I’m chuffed to bits with my special gift that will take pride of place on my new book case, well once I get it
Much love 💖 hope to see you at future signings x
Donna, it was such an absolute pleasure to meet you after all this time. Thank you SO much for coming to see me. It’s good to know you’ll be looking after your special gift too. 😉 I really hope I get to meet you at another signing too. I would have loved to have had more time to talk to you. Much love back at you. xxx
Wonderful post. Sorry I couldn’t be there.
Thank you, Karin. One day I will get to meet you. I did wave towards the Netherlands for you. ❤️
It looked like you had an amazing time! I’m so happy for you 😊
Thank you so much, Jennifer. I’m so glad I did it. It was such an incredible experience. 😊
Lindsay
I’m sorry about the tears but hey it was fantastic to meet you and your husband. It’s lovely you have so much support, maybe that’s why you are so fantastic
Thank you for being so sweet and maybe I’ll see you next time ❤️❤️
I tried to contain my tears all day, Julia, and then the minute I saw yours mid-sentence I couldn’t hold them in anymore! It was absolutely fantastic to meet you after all this time too. I am certainly extremely lucky to have so much incredible support. It was the best feeling to meet so many of my readers after all this time. My fingers are tightly crossed that I get to see you next time. ❤️❤️
Congratulations on a successful first signing event! I’m in central California so it would have been a bit of a hike for me, but would love to have attended! I’ll bet it was amazing
Thank you so very much, Barbara. It would have been wonderful to meet you. Maybe if I’m ever across the pond…? But it was an amazing experience indeed. Thank you so much for commenting. ❤️
That is so exciting. I wish I could have been there. I also have to say you looked adorable!!
I’m so happy for all your success! You truly deserve it!
I was asked recently asked to list my five favorite books with the author and why.
You were number one. I couldn’t pick just one of your books, however, so they had to put up with me choosing all Blackthorn/Low Town series books. Reasons: World building, character development and character driven plot. Romance spicy and perfectly executed but so plot driven that if you didn’t want just a romance novel, which seriously come on now..who doesn’t want a sexy vampire, lycan, or human/angel of their own..but anyway the plot is so delicious that it’s in a class of it’s own.
You were bumped up ahead of great authors like Sherrilyn Kenyon and JR Ward and that is saying something because I love their works.
You deserve all that you have and will receive–pats on the back, kudos, t-shirts and us crazy fans! You are an amazing author. Keep them coming and can’t wait for the finale of Blackthorn!!!
Oh, KaraLee, I would have LOVED to have met you after all this time. Maybe one day?? Thank you SO much for your uber-kind words. And wow, I’m a little bit speechless here! That’s quite the compliment!! As long as you keep reading, I’ll keep writing. Thank you hugely for taking the time to comment. ❤️
I just wanted to thank you, Lindsay, for making that day so awesome and for a chance to finally meet you in person! The pleasure was all mine.
I know you said it was your first signing event, but you could have fooled me – you did great! I really appreciate your individual approach to every fan of yours. That means a lot. It was a wonderful experience for me, and I’m sure other fans, to get to know someone whose books are so enjoyable to read! Please keep doing what you do! Can’t wait to read more of your books 🙂
P.S. I’m glad you like the t-shirt 😉
Aww, Natasha. ❤️ I can’t tell you how incredible it was to meet you. I know I became speechless when you showed me your T-shirt! I was really overwhelmed. 💓 Sorry if I didn’t make a lot of sense after that! I wish I’d had longer to talk to you. And it’s lovely to know you appreciated the individual approach. I can do that because I’m so very lucky to have readers who take the time to talk to me so I can get to know you all. I’ll keep writing as long as you keep reading. Thank you so much for your support. ❤️
I’m so thrilled for you that the whole weekend was such a resounding success. RARE was my first ever signing too and I loved every moment there, can’t wait to do it again!
I’m so happy to have been one of the lucky few who saw you in action with a big smile on your face. It was fantastic seeing you and Tim again! It was an amazing day, I have come away with some wonderful memories I will treasure always.
#lovingthelycan 😉
Wasn’t it amazing, Julia? I can’t wait to do it again either! We definitely have the bug, I think! So many wonderful memories for sure. And lol to #lovingthelycan. 😆😉
What a wonderful trip. I am so happy for you.
Thank you so much, Barbara. ❤️ It was a fantastic experience. I’m so glad I did it.
What awesome fun you guys had! I’m so jealous. Great pics!!
It was brilliant fun, Demei. You would have loved it. I’m so glad you like the pics!!
Oh this is fantastic! So pleased you had such an amazing time, really wish I could have been there to support you. The displays look totally awesome! Slightly jealous at not having the opportunity to be there! X
It was incredible, Fiona. An amazing experience. I can’t believe it has taken me this long. What was I thinking? Too many books to write, that’s my problem. 😆🤓📚 I’m so glad you like the displays. My fingers are crossed that maybe you’ll be able to make the next one. You’d love it, I promise. Xx
Aww it looks like you had a fantastic time. Some terrific photos that’s for sure.
It was brilliant, Tracie. And I’m so glad you like the photos – thank you! xx