UK Book Launch - Wed 12th Sept

At last the official UK launch of Long Road, Hard Lessons came around.  Martin Latham of Waterstones, to whom I am eternally grateful, told me to invite as many as I liked "It holds over a hundred – you'll never fill the place."  Some of us non-celebrities have dedicated friends.  People came down from London.  Alex even came from Spain and Rob from Bristol.  I was sure I talked for too long (as always) but if I did, people were too kind not to contradict my worried enquiries afterwards.

Thanks to everyone who made the effort to come and to be part of a very enjoyable evening - even for me.

I'm hoping to do a London launch as well as some talks in other branches of Waterstones around the country, so if you couldn't make Canterbury don't worry, I won't let you off the hook that easily!

Kerryman Newspaper Article 10.09.12

Following the Irish book launch in Dingle, Marian O'Flaherty's article for The Kerryman was published yesterday morning.  She's made a nice job of it.  So many articles that have appeared in the press since we started the trip have been inaccurate – sometimes amusing (Lorna being Japanese), other times not (no, Sam & I were not holed up in a Moroccan brothel pretending to be on a bike trip) – Marian has captured it well in her piece.  Have a read.

http://www.kerryman.ie/local-notes/from-here-to-tokyo-nothing-looks-better-than-west-kerry-3224035.html

Ireland Book Launch – Dingle

Thanks to all those who attended the official Irish launch of 'Long Road, Hard Lessons.'  It was a memorable event all round, with creamy black pints lined up on the counter of Curran's Bar in Main Street, Dingle – one of Ireland's few remaining genuine hardware-store-cum-bars.  Despite the ultra-short planning time (2 days!), with the help of Colm Bambury and the enthusiasm of many local friends, it all went off smoothly.  Here's hoping we can create something approaching the same positive atmosphere at the UK Launch in Waterstones Bookshop, Canterbury (St Margaret's Street) at 6:30pm on Wednesday 12th, without the black stuff!
Newspaper article in today's copy of The Kerryman. Link to on-line version to follow on Monday.

The Link: https://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/localnotes/from-here-to-tokyo-nothing-looks-better-than-west-kerry-27423897.html

Review of LRHL e-book on Smashwords

Eric Balke has left a very well written review for Long Road, Hard Lessons on Smashwords e-book site.  Thanks Eric!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/174624

His and Josh's cycle blog is: http://www.facebook.com/l/nAQFlHXnjAQFMnlrsjtyrCoBp7WLCERdGtZ5uIDJiWXDsBA/www.nocinnamonbunswithinreach.wordpress.com

INVITATION TO THE OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH

Invitations have gone out for the book launch:

Venue:  Waterstones Bookshop, 20-21 St Margaret's Street, Canterbury
Date & Time:  6:30pm on Wednesday 12th September
Agenda:  Talk by Mark & Sam Swain with slides, Q&A, Book signing
Afterwards:  The Foundry, White Horse Lane, Canterbury (Micro-brewery & pub)

Please bring friends.  Hecklers welcome.

Check out your local Waterstone's

LONG ROAD, HARD LESSONS is now available in all Waterstone's shops (not just Canterbury).  Assuming you get out now and again and you don't just sit at your computer all day, please consider buying it from Waterstone's rather than Amazon. You also get to see, hold and smell before you buy!
ISBN: 9780957200203
3rd row down to left of 'English Garden.'

Amazon finally found the box of 30 books I sent them - delivered to their warehouse 3 weeks ago. Until I saw this pic of their UK warehouse, I was wondering why!

Now back in stock anyway.