Sunday 11 October 2015

Victoria's Book Launch

What a great evening we had at Waterstones in Argyle Street, Glasgow on Friday for the launch of postal member Victoria Gemmell's first book, Follow Me, from Strident Publishing. It was a fantastic turn-out with people from all walks of Victoria's life. Even the former head teacher from her primary school, who was such a positive influence in Vikki's last year in the school, was there to wish her well and to buy a copy.


The evening was chaired by the publisher, Keith Charters, who praised the writing skills and storyline in Follow Me and who did a superb job in interviewing his latest author in between Victoria reading short extracts from the book. While he kindly supplied the drinks, Victoria had brought along cup cakes topped with an edible circle of the book cover illustration and mini coke bottle with discs of Marilyn Munro attached - a subtle reference to some of the pop culture influences in the novel.




It was a measure of the success of the launch and the number of people there to support her that the whole first print run of books sold out and another print run is being ordered forthwith!

Follow Me is a mystery mainly aimed at the Young Adult market from around age 14 up to students but it will definitely appeal to adults too, especially anyone who remembers the influence of Andy Warhol or who enjoys pop culture, poetry and art references. Here's the blurb as a taster:

What is the deadly allure of the Barn?

17-year-old Kat Sullivan has been devastated by the loss of her twin sister, Abby, the most recent of five teenagers to have died in the town of Eddison, all within a year. No-one seems able to explain the circumstances surrounding her death.

As Kat struggles to move on, she is introduced to an underground hangout – the Barn – by Abby’s friends. There, she meets the enigmatic Rob and his friend Michael, art students who have re-created pop artist Andy Warhol’s infamous Factory, where creative types can construct art and socialise.

Drawn into Rob’s social scene, and seduced by the attention of this attractive stranger, Kat relishes the freedom and escape offered by the Barn’s non-conformity and creativity.
But the Barn holds a strange influence over those who frequent it, and soon Kat begins to realise how little she knew about her sister’s life.

Kat needs answers.

She also needs to stay alive.

Follow Me will be available to order from Amazon, Waterstones, Foyles and most bookshops. The e-book will be available at a later date.

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