Gatekeepers, the Launch & Signing Party

 

Arriving 10 minutes before the start of the event on Thursday, January 14th  2016, three friends were already there waiting for me. ‘We wanted to make sure we would get a copy!’ One of them explained. This was my first of many laughs that evening.

I quickly moved some furniture around, piled more than thirty paperbacks of Gatekeepers copies on a side table, and filled a large basket with homemade chocolate-walnut brownies. I couldn’t help it; I wish to satisfy my readers’ imagination as well as their taste-buds. As I looked around at the almost empty place, I smiled. It was wonderful to be there.

 

 

The venue, Meursault, could not have been more appropriate for a book signing. It is a restaurant and lounge dedicated to one of the most respected and known French authors, Albert Camus. What a symbol to do a book signing in a place combining vibrant music, good food and wine, and a love and respect for literature! It was only 7pm, and already it was a good start.

 

 

The night that followed was like a dream, in even better. It went beyond any hope I had conceived. All the copies were sold and I signed many more brought by the attendees for the occasion. In 3 hours I hardly left the comfortable sofa, too busy writing personal dedications for each. It was my first book signing so how it would go was anyone’s guess. Yet, the attendance to the event exceeded expectations, and from the manager’s delighted comments, it far exceeded his as well: the place was full.

 

 

It was a night I would remember for the rest of my life, not just for the emotion of launching Gatekeepers, but for how my book was welcome. The support, appreciation and excitement of my friends at seeing it finally published was enormous. And if this was not enough, people I had barely met or even total strangers also came to me praising my achievement and expressing how much they were looking forward to reading Gatekeepers. In the days that follow, messages kept flowing, complimenting me on both my work and the party. People also shared plenty of photos with me (although too many just of me!)

 

So to everyone who came, everyone who couldn’t make it but were there in spirit, and all of you who continuously accompanied and supported me in this adventure, thank you!

 

As I write these lines, I happily admit feeling very emotional and blessed to have you around me and showing me so much support and trust. On one of the card I received that night, a friend wrote a detailed explanation for her line ‘I believe in you’ (thank you Angelica!); over the past years and again in a big wave at the book launch, I could almost physically feet this belief in me and support. It was magical, blissful, energising … I am deeply grateful.

Lots of love to all of you.

Yours, Virginie.