What a week, I mean what a truly amazing week!
In the past week I have given an after supper talk to Formby Ladies golf club, addressed a crowded audience of over 100 people in Liverpool Waterstone’s and watched people drinking Cisk and laughing at the Big Green Bookshop in Wood Green.
I have giggled, restrained from crying, sang a duet of a JLS song and, most importantly, I have come away each time full of smiles because the events couldn’t have been any better than they were. And that’s simply because the people who came were there to celebrate, to embrace it all and that has left me humbled. It’s made me realise just how incredibly lucky I am to have so many people wishing me well.
At Formby Ladies Golf Club, I had supper at the Captain’s table and learned of a strong sense of community and of belonging. The ladies listened, asked intelligent questions and they made me feel utterly welcome.
My Liverpool launch was at Waterstone’s in Liverpool One. I think (after about 30 cancellations on the day) I expected maybe 15 people. Over 100 turned up! There were no seats left and people queued for me to sign their books. Queued, for me! My wonderful neighbour helped organise everything, she was amazing. I had a guest reader, a wonderful student called Lucy who read an especially written piece telling Nina’s back-story and reaction to being pregnant. The audience was filled with friends, smiley friends.
My London launch was last night, at the Big Green Bookshop in London. The venue was perfect, the owners made me giggle. Again there were cancellations, again I thought that no one would come and, again, I underestimated my beautiful friends. By 7pm the shop was filled with people, many who I’d befriended online and they were ALL everything that I hoped they’d be. Cans of Cisk arrived from Malta (more on that another time!) and people experienced a taste that matched with the contents of the story.
And late last night, way past their bedtimes, my two boys were being dj (via Spotify), Littlest was showing her JLS inspired dance moves and I think that I have never ever felt happier. (Launch photos can be seen here)
And in amongst all of this, Like Bees to Honey is being read. Stephanella interviewed me about my creative identity and reviewed Like Bees to Honey. And over on Amazon, one reviewer says:
The themes of loss, guilt and redemption are powerful. I also find the book a unique exploration of religion and of the perception of religion. You will never think of Jesus in the same light once you have read it! Through Nina’s physical and spiritual journey some of the more damaging and guilt inducing elements of religious belief are challenged.
The other impact the book has had on me is that I am mad keen to visit Malta now! Malta is so acutely observed throughout the novel, almost becoming a character all of its own. It is somewhere I knew little of before picking up this book…
Another:
Caroline Smailes possesses a lyrical voice that is both spellbinding and utterly unique. I can think of no one else who plays so effortlessly and effectively with words and space. Nor can I imagine anyone else depicting Jesus with painted toenails and a love of reality TV. `Like Bees to Honey’ is truly stunning. A deeply human tale of love, of loss – of living.
And, again, I am smiling because I’ve allowed myself to realise that some people really will ‘get’ this book. And that some people will connect with Jesus, will love Tilly and will hope for Nina.
I wish I could keep this feeling in a bubble.
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