Book Launch for Beatrix The Time Travelling Collie

Eleven years ago, I didn’t even like dogs. I would have crossed the road rather than have to walk past a dog and its owner. But in 2013, an illness made me reassess my life. As I began my slow recovery, I decided I needed a dog. A black and white Border Collie, and one I’d call Beatrix, after Beatrix Potter, the Author.
 
Discussing my thoughts with Mr M, he said a dog would be a good idea, but not a female, and certainly not one called Beatrix. “If you think I’m going to stand at the end of the park calling out Beatrix, Beatrix, Beatrix, you are sadly mistaken”, were his words.
 
But in April 2013, Beatrix, the black and white Border Collie, came into our lives.

I had hoped that a dog would help me regain my fitness. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this ten-week-old bundle of fluff would grow into a fantastic dog with the most beautiful soul. This dog set about teaching me to love life again.
 
Over the next ten years, we walked up mountains in Scotland and got lost in the snow on more than one occasion. I had to be airlifted off a Munro when I had a heart attack. We swam in rivers, lochs and the sea and shared our thoughts on so many occasions.

But Beatrix was quite envious that I’d written a book and announced she’d like to write a book herself. After trying to type on the laptop, she asked if I could type the words if she told her story to me. It was my pleasure to do so.
 
Beatrix began her story at her birth in the tiny hamlet of Dalguise. Tales of adjusting to life as a human dog, getting used to cars, walking on the hills, and playing ball with her dad (Mr M) began to flow.
 
One day, on Ben Ledi, Beatrix revealed to me her secret time-travelling adventures. These included six little kittens in Denmark and a trip to Filey.
 
By November 2022, she had told me all her stories. I had these safely stored in my mind and on my computer (in several places). Leaving me to finish the final chapter, Beatrix sadly crossed the dog rainbow bridge.
 
Finishing the book took a whole load of heartache and soul searching. But Friday, 23^rd June 2023, saw the official launch of Beatrix The Time Travelling Collie.
 
I decided to have my in-person book launch at the Woodhill Evangelical Church and The Hubb Cafe in Bishopbriggs because it is such a fantastic venue. I had a wobble as I organised this, discovering that the hall could hold 250 people. Was I important enough to stand up in such an auditorium? But I reminded myself that I was, and so long as I had more guests than just Mr M, the evening would be a success. I wanted to make Beatrix proud.
 
So, Friday, 23rd June, with books published, a new book dress purchased, and cakes baked, I set off to Bishopbriggs for my launch.
 
Salena, my good friend, and fellow left-handed Yorkshire lass, had offered to be my support act and keep an eye on proceedings.
 

Brian from Woodhill Church was there to look after the technical side and the music.
 
I wanted the evening to be a relaxed, fun affair and planned to have Cat Stevens playing in the background. He was too busy appearing at Glastonbury to attend my book launch in person, so it had to be a CD. To my horror, my copies of my Cat Stevens CD jumped on one or more tracks. So, a quick order on good old Amazon found a new, unscratched CD landing on my porch floor the day before the launch. Phew!
 
I wanted to capture the evening on camera, but I knew I had limited photography skills and, of course, I’d be talking and not taking photos. I wondered. Looking at the list of ticket sales, the name of one guest jumped out: Greg Friel. A few kind words later (ok, I may have begged!), Greg offered his services as a photographer for the night.
 
I also hoped to sell lots of books - well that’s the whole point of a book launch isn't it? I thought bringing along my first book, The Magical Tearoom on the Hill, would also be a good idea. So, I baked a selection of cakes for the guests; lemon drizzle, coffee cake and Victoria sponge - all gluten- and dairy-free. Salena and a few other guests were coeliac, so this was an extra thank you to them from me by providing cakes they could enjoy.
 
To my delight, Mr M was on general chat duty to everyone (not a problem), and he donned his splendid kilt outfit for the evening. I love a man in a kilt.

After checking my slides (photos only–this would be no death by PowerPoint) and my Madonna-style microphone, I glanced around the large, empty hall.
 
Would anybody turn up?
 
Why would anyone bother turning out to listen to me ramble on about my dog?
 
Greg was the first to arrive, ladened with his selection of cameras and lenses that a proper photographer needs. I asked him if, when taking his photos, he could make an empty hall look full. He laughed and told me not to worry as people would come. I believe at that moment in time I could hear Sting singing Fields of Gold.
 
But at 6.55 pm, people did indeed appear—lots of people.

I think it shows just how much of an effect dogs can have on people. Some people came who didn’t know me or Beatrix but wanted to learn more about a book written by a Border Collie.
 
Jessica from The Ricketty Desk came with her family. Jessica created all the fabulous illustrations in the book during meetings at The Blend Coffee Lounge in Dunfermline. Most meetings involved at least two coffees and two cakes (no sharing).

More friends and family arrived, all smiling and supporting me. People from my writing group, customers from the tearoom, network group members, neighbours, fellow dog walkers and people I knew from previous job roles all took their seats.
 
A heartwarming moment for me was when I saw Kathryn and Jill, two team members from Vets at Home - Pets at Home -  in Bishopbriggs, arrive and take their seats. So many people loved Beatrix.

I’d decided that I would talk without notes. My non-essential tremor in my left hand always seems worse when nervous (yes, I’m nervous when I first start to speak). I had prepared my slides with carefully chosen photos close to my heart so they would prompt me for my words.
 
The venue has a great setup in that as a speaker looking out on the crowds, there is also a copy of the slides on the wall above the seats, so there is no need to have a laptop, notes or keep looking back on the main screen. A large clock on the same wall allowed me to keep track of the time and not ramble on too long – I needed to ensure plenty of time after my talk for the book signing, chatting and cake eating.
 
Salena did a fabulous job as a support act—even though she told people I used to be a pole dancer!
 
I was distracted shortly into my talk when a lady walked down the aisle carrying a massive bouquet of beautiful purple flowers (purple is my favourite colour). The card read, ‘To Mum, from Beatrix’, with a paw print. My eyes misted over a little at this point. I suspect Mr M had a hand in this.

I loved telling my story of how the book developed, showing the photos, and then answering questions. But it was surreal after my talk when I was sitting at a desk with books in front of me. I looked up and saw a queue of people waiting for me to sign their books. Not only had people given up their valuable time to come along and listen to me, but they were now spending their hard-earned money buying my book. And they wanted me to sign it for them! I felt humbled and a million dollars at the same time.

My only regret from the evening was that I had only a few minutes to chat with each guest as we enjoyed tea and cakes organised by Rhondda. I needed to talk longer, but I wanted to make sure I spoke to everyone who attended my event.

I went home that night and shed a few tears for Beatrix. People might think I wrote the book because Beatrix had died, but I had expected Beatrix to be by my side at the launch. I like to believe she was with me there in spirit.
 
Then it was getting ready for my Zoom launch on Monday, 26^th June. Covid did a lot of damage to the world and society, but gave rise to Zoom events. This has given people from far and wide the opportunity to attend events when distance could prevent them from attending.
 
Salena had volunteered to be the host again. Another friend, Erika, was organising the Zoom, keeping the waiting room in order, letting guests in, and ensuring the technical side ran smoothly.
 
Again, I worried nobody would attend. But at 6.55 pm, Erika opened the waiting room door, and guests flooded in, and I saw more friends, acquaintances, and people I didn’t know.
 
Rakesh came along, and I could thank him publicly for all his support in controlling my IT systems and finding my lost documents.
 
At the online launch, there were no cakes, but I like to think everyone enjoyed it as much as those at the in-person event.
 
All that’s left to say now is thank you to you all for supporting me in getting Beatrix The Time Travelling Collie published.
 
And, of course, have you bought your copy yet?

As always, I hope you enjoy reading my blog and please leave me a comment.