Launched? Tick!

Thank you, Leeds!  Ruby and the Blue Sky was unleashed onto the world at a launch event  in Leeds, where the thriller is set, at the Adelphi tavern on 15th July 2016.  Over 30 people attended and Meg from RadishWeb sold copies.

The Yorkshire Evening Post dedicated half a page in that day’s edition to an article by Paul Robinson about Ruby and the Blue Sky and the Yorkshire Post featured the book in its arts supplement the same day.

Here’s the full video (29 min) of my mihi (speech), reading excerpts and the Q&A with the audience and a short clip (1.5 min) of me reading at the launch.

On Monday 18th July, Nick Ahad kindly interviewed me on BBC Radio Leeds – my first ever live-from-the-studio-radio. Nick’s passion for the arts, infectious humour and interest in Ruby and the Blue Sky made it fun rather than stressful!  You can listen to the interview from the 1 hour 16 min mark here.

As part of the launch build-up we ran a spot-the-location competition on three days, and each winner will receive a signed copy of Ruby and the Blue Sky.  I was also invited to contribute a guest blog to the Big Bookend Festival website.

The support from these people as well as Armley Press, Leeds Inspired, Leeds Green Party members and many more in Leeds has made me feel incredibly welcomed back and encouraged these last few days.  The city is a great location – and launchpad!