Two of the things that authors enjoy most are meeting readers and talking about their books, and last Thursday afternoon, three of us had the chance to do both of those things as Jean Fullerton, Janet Gover and I had been invited to give a talk at a Romantic Afternoon Tea, to be held at Hoddesdon Library as part of the Hertfordshire Literary Festival.

Layout 1

And what a lovely afternoon it turned out to be! Throughout the afternoon, there was a warm and friendly atmosphere in a room so crowded that people were standing at the back. We were thrilled to learn from the Hoddesdon librarians that the turnout for our event was their highest turnout for an adult event.

2016-03-17 16.40.55 - Copy

Not surprisingly, we all thoroughly enjoyed telling the readers about our writing and answering the questions they put. At some point, too, each of us gave a short reading from one of our novels.

 

2016-03-17 15.13.52 - CopyWith Janet and Jean as we get ready to start the event.

At the end of our session, we joined the readers for tea, cake and chatter. Amazingly, I met a reader who’d actually been born in the same hospital as I!

I’d intended to take a photo of the delicious selection of cakes on my plate but funnily enough, they’d all vanished before I remembered my intention!

The librarians couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly, and the audience couldn’t have been more delightful. It was my first visit to Hoddesdon Library, but I certainly hope that it won’t have been my last.

2016-03-17 15.07.08A temporary (I hope) farewell to Hoddeston Library