Friday 8 July 2011

Book launch – Emma Jane Unsworth – Manchester City Library

This was my artist’s treat for this month. Naturally, I ended up buying the book. I was surprised and delighted to see that my colleague from MMU, Sherry Ashworth, and husband are the publishers, The HiddenGem Press.
The atmosphere of the City Library's Becker Room with its carved panels and what I call doctor’s chairs – little wooden chairs with armrests and backrests which circle together – my first GP had one - is quite magical. The sun made a natural spotlight for Emma as she read.
The book has been described as literary fiction and a good holiday read. That sounds just like my sort of book. I still love the feel of a print book in my hands and my favourite way of buying is at a book launch where I can get the book signed. I do approve of Amazon, at least as a book-buying reader, and I can’t wait to get a Kindle, but actually buying a book in the presence of the author is a much more satisfying experience.
The event was part of the Not Part of the Festival 2011 Festival– the Manchester Literary Fringe Festival if you like. The room was packed. Wine and nibbles were provided. That always brings value-added to the event, I think. I was also pleased to meet one of my former students there. She is still writing, I am happy to say. It was good, too, to catch up with Sherry. She is to MMU what I am to Salford University and we have much else in common, not least of all being publishers.