It's been a while since my last blogspot... five weeks to be exact. I've been so busy but that's no excuse for not writing about what I've been up to! Anyhow, enough of the excuses, to be honest it's the first time I've had a chance to collect my thoughts and assemble all the information to write my final blog entry for 2013... so here goes!
Let's start with the last four school visits of the year... during November I travelled to the Cotswolds again for a second tour of primary schools in Gloucester. These included Dinglewell and Kingsway with both events producing a record amount of Bradley Baker fans. This also resulted in the highest number of book sales since I started visiting schools with my author showcase presentations. The last two school visits this year took me nearer to home in Devon during the first week in December. Meavy and Mary Tavy near Tavistock hosted the events... much smaller audiences but equally as enthusiastic about my Bradley Baker adventure books. Here's a great picture sent to me by teacher Cherylynn Barlow at Meavy following their book signing session;
My duties as patron of Families for Children Adoption continued into December. I was invited to open the Christmas Bazaar at Michelmore Solicitors in Exeter. Over £1000 was raised during the event and special thanks to Ally Colton (FFC fundraiser) and Megan Wright (Michelmore's event organiser) for asking me to join fellow patron Michael Caines. Here's a few pictures taken on the day;
I then flew out to New York to launch my latest book. Bradley Baker and the Gullfather of New York was received very well during my first visit to the big apple and I like to thank everyone involved for their huge support. Visits to the New York Public Library and Empire State Building provided two great iconic locations to officially launch the book. Special thanks to lovely peeps at NYPL for allowing me to utilise the library bookshop. Here are some pictures of the events.
I also had chance to visit some very special landmarks in NYC that appear in the book. The experience at Bethesda Terrace and with the statue of Balto in Central Park were made extra special when it snowed producing a winter wonderland.
I returned from New York to attend another very special event... the Families for Children Christmas Lunch at the Abode Hotel in Exeter. I joined my fellow patrons Michael Caines and Mark Tyler with CEO Caroline Davis and Ally Colton and members of staff around the table.
We all enjoyed a fabulous lunch but one of our other patron's was missing. Caroline Quentin had to attend ITV's studios in London to prepare for a very special appearance on "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" with co-fundraiser Carol Vorderman and host Chris Tarrant. Caroline was joined by FFC's Ally Colton after the event with Families for Children benefiting from a share of the £50,000 winnings. Well done Caroline, Carol and Ally... brilliant job!
Well it's time to put my feet up for a well earned rest over Christmas... but not for long as I will be representing my charity as patron again on 29th December. I hope to raise lots of money by skydiving from £15,000 feet when I jump out of a plane. Yikes... please help if you can by donating.
You can donate by clicking on the following link.... please give what you can!
Here's to another great year in 2014... my diary is filled to the brim with more school events and the visit to New York produced some very exciting prospects so watch out for a few announcements over the coming months. Also look out for the fifth Bradley Baker adventure book due for release in 2014... here's a sneak preview of the cover;
Thanks for popping by folks to read my latest blogspot... catch up again after the holidays. Till then stay safe, have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
DLJ x
