Sunday, February 23, 2014

Wall Of Spears Tour week three wrap

Week three started with the first big interstate trip, off to sunny Adelaide!
It's been over 40 degrees there for about two months, followed by ridiculous floods, so I was a little nervous as to what weather would hit me. Turned out it was mild 22C on both days - but the South Australians were so used to stinking hot, many were wrapped up in scarves and jackets!
Things started well at the big Dymocks store in the city, where I was delighted to meet Sharon Lomman once again, who bought the original series from me and then has come in each time for each new book, finishing with Wall Of Spears this time. As usual, there were so many lovely people there and I was down to the last Bridge Of Swords when it was time to go.
Then it was off to the Angus and Robertson store in the Myer Centre across the road. It's a great little store and they're big fans of the Dragon Sword Histories, which is fantastic. There were a couple of strange characters there though ... a young guy in army uniform who kept playing with the animal puppets and asking people if they wanted to enlist and a bloke from country SA who wanted to buy my books but only if I could post them out to him ... anyway, there were many other wonderful readers!
Last store for the day was Mostly Books in Torrens Park and that was a lot of fun. At first I was worried, as there was a stand spruiking electricity deals just outside and competing spruikers are death to chatty authors! Luckily they were packing up and, even more luckily, the guy there, Lachlan, was a huge fantasy fan. We chatted on and off for an hour while he waited for a lift, then bought the whole of the new series. Meanwhile, I sold the rest of the Wounded Guardians and Bridge Of Swords. It's a lovely store and a great spot to chat to people!
Second day kicked off at Dillons Books Norwood. last time I was there, they had a massive storm and blackout, which cramped the style a little. This time they had been burgled overnight! Obviously thieves, being stupid, didn't touch the valuable books but instead tried for the safe, which they failed to open with a sledgehammer. Perhaps they couldn't read the instruction manual on the oxy torch ...
Anyway, despite me suspecting I might be some sort of unlucky charm for a great book shop, I met some fantastic people and sold out of all my Wounded Guardians and Bridge Of Swords. I actually had two people fighting over the last Wounded Guardian - it went to the very charming Ryan!
Then it was Collins Edwardstown and the fantastic Tarran Jones - if there is a bookstore more supportive of Australian fantasy in Adelaide, I am yet to find it!

Finally I was at Dymocks Glenelg. Last time I was there it was so cold I could barely sign my name. This time it was warmer but seemed to be packed with German backpackers. For a while there, I was spending more time showing them pictures of the German translation books of The Wounded Guardian than I was talking about my English-language ones!
Saturday it was off to Dymocks Warringah, which is an interesting store. It was one of the few that didn't want to do the three-for-two special offer, which was a shame for the good people of the peninsula. Also, it was one of the few bookstores where eReaders outnumbered book readers. At most stores, there's always a few people who want to take a shot of the cover so they can get it as an eBook. At Warringah, it was almost 50-50.
And then Sunday I was off to Dymocks Penrith. That was simply fantastic. There was a queue of people waiting for me at the start and then it finished with a delightful lady called Enid (surname not Blyton!) who loved the Dragon Sword Histories and was there to buy Empire Of Bones. Penrith is, simply, wonderful to visit.
And then the week ended with Bridge Of Swords going into reprint again - for the third time.
Awaiting me is the biggest week of the tour - 12 stores in two states. Here we go ...

Monday, February 17, 2014

Wall Of Spears Tour Week 2 wrap-up

My 50 Stores in 50 Days tour rolled into its second week and started to gain some real momentum.
I kicked off at Kinokuniya in the heart of Sydney, which is a fantastic store just near Town Hall.
Kino wasn't running the 3 for 2 deal but instead had 20% off all my books, which made things interesting, as then it came down to a straight shootout between the two series - would people like the idea of Empire Of Bones or Dragon Sword Histories more?
After selling out of every copy of Bridge Of Swords and The Wounded Guardian they had, I can say that people like them both!
It was a real thrill to have people come in to buy the remainder of a series and particularly for a young bloke called Kai who bought the original series plus Wall Of Spears for his grandfather Mark!
Then it was off to the Gold Coast and a tussle with the taxis!
First up was Collins Tweed Heads, where the wonderful Leanne Ellis of Bloody Cake News was waiting for me, wanting five copies of Wall Of Spears!
I sold the store out of every copy of the new series they had - everyone wanted the trilogy deal, which was great, but then the hassle started.
I rang for a taxi but couldn't get one to turn up! Instead I was stuck in a loooooooong queue of pensioners heading home with their shopping. Not good.
The whole idea of doing the Gold Coast was to use the time difference between NSW and Queensland to allow me to sell across TWO lunchtimes. Spending said lunchtime in a taxi queue was not the plan!
Next time I'll definitely be hiring a car.
Anyway, finally I got to Love That Book Helensvale, where Rebecca Ponting was waiting for me. I'd sold my original trilogy to the Pontings when they were living out at Rouse Hill. Now they were back for the new series!
After my taxi nightmare of earlier I was paranoid about missing my flight home so had to leave with just one copy of Bridge Of Swords remaining.
I checked out the shopping centre taxi rank and saw - nothing! With visions of camping out overnight dancing through my head, the lovely staff at Love That Book told me to walk across to the station and - cue flood of relief - there was a queue of taxis, not people.
Saturday saw me head down to Chatswood in the rain and hit gridlock. Everyone wants to get into Chatswood on a Saturday but there's not enough room for them. It was insane. 45 minutes to crawl about 400m through the streets and then find a parking spot.
Luckily the Dymocks store there is so good!
Steve "The Bookman" was there to buy two copies of Wall Of Spears to complete his bookshelf. If there's a more enthusiastic supporter of Aussie fantasy, I'm yet to find them. He needs to be cloned!
Plus I ran into Brandon, who had bought The Wounded Guardian from me in Canberra and now wanted to complete the series, which I was delighted to do!
Again, we sold out of all first books from two series.
Sunday was out at Parramatta, in company with my faithful warrior friend Uthred Kadarn.
We got a park easily enough (a relief after the day before) and then we got some VERY strange looks from shoppers as we walked through the shopping centre in costume!
The day started brilliantly, with Wall Of Spears the No.1 selling book in that shop. Doesn't get better than seeing that on the shelf!
We ran into so many marvellous people, including Jasmyn, who wanted to complete her Dragon Sword Histories and Andrew, who needed Wall Of Spears. Plus Mark Curnow from HarperCollins!
We posed for many, many photos - including many kids - and sold out of Bridge Of Swords, plus almost all Wounded Guardians as well.
Robin and Perry - the owners of Parramatta Dymocks - have a fantastic store and I'm not just saying that because I had their No.1 selling book!
With more than 250 books hand-sold in the first two weeks, it's going well - and now the interstates are really going to crank things up!
Hope to see you on the road somewhere on tour!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Wall Of Spears 50 Stores in 50 Days tour full list, including WA!

Here it is, the final confirmed list of stores for the Wall Of Spears tour!



Sunday, February 2nd
Dymocks Tuggerah
 
Shop 2038 Level 2 Westfield/50 Wyong Rd, Tuggerah NSW 2259
Phone: (02) 4353 0360
 
11am – 2.30pm
Thursday, February 6th
Galaxy Books
 
131 York St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone:(02) 9267 7222
 
11am – 2.30pm
Saturday, February 8th
 
Dymocks Erina
Terrigal Drive, Shop 315, Erina Fair Shopping Centre, Erina NSW 2250
Phone:(02) 4367 7800
 
 
11am – 2.30pm
Sunday, February 9th
Dymocks Rouse Hill
 
Shop GRO23 Rouse Hill Town Centre, Windsor Road, Rouse Hill, 2155
Phone: (02) 8883 3055
 
11am-2.30pm
Thursday, February 13th
Kinokuniya Sydney
 
Level 2, The Galeries/500 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone:(02) 9262 7996
 
11am-2.30pm
Friday, February 14th
Collins Tweed Heads
 
Wharf St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Phone:(07) 5599 3600
 
 
11m-1pm

 

QLD

 

Friday, February 14th
Love that Book
 
Shop 1075 Westfield Shopping Centre Millaroo Drv
Helensvale QLD 4212
(07) 5502 7744
12.30pm-3.30pm

 

NSW

 

Saturday, February 15th
Dymocks Chatswood
 
1 Anderson Street, Shop 301, Westfield Shopping Centre, Chatswood NSW 2067
Phone:(02) 9412 1630
 
12pm-3pm
Sunday, February 16th
Dymocks Parramatta
Shop 2115, Westfield Shoppingtown, Parramatta NSW 2150
Phone:(02) 9633 5929
 
11am-2.30pm

 

 

 

 

SA

 

Thursday, February 20th
Dymocks Rundle Mall
135 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, 5000
Contact – Louise. (08 82235 380)
 
Myer Centre, Rundle Mall
 22 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000
 
Contact – Dina. (82313601)
Mostly Books
Mostly Books. Shop 12-17, Mitcham Square, 119 Belair Rd, Torrens Park. Contact – Charmaine. (83735190)
 
10am-1pm
 
 
 
1.30pm-4.30pm
 
 
 
 
 
5pm – 7pm
Friday, February 21st
Dillon’s Norwood
162-166 The Parade, Norwood. Contact – Laura. (83310946)
 
Collins Edwardstown
 
Dymocks Glenelg
55 Jetty Rd, Glenelg.
Contact – Daniel/Ashton. (82948665)
 
9am-11:30am
 
 
 
12pm-2pm
 
 
 
2:30pm – 4pm

 

 

NSW

 

Saturday, February 22nd
 
Dymocks Warringah
Shop 524, Warringah Mall Shopping Centre, Warringah Mall NSW 2100
Phone:(02) 9938 2823
 
12pm-3pm
Sunday, February 23rd
Dymocks Penrith
Level 1 Shop 145 Westfield Penrith Plaza,/Henry St, Penrith NSW 2750
Phone:(02) 4731 5986
 
11am-2.30pm

 

 

VIC

 

Wednesday, February 26th
Minotaur
121 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone:(03) 9670 5414
 
Dymocks Melbourne
Lower Ground Floor/234 Collins St
Melbourne VIC
(03) 9663 0900
 
Dymocks Victoria Gardens
Shop F11, Victoria Gardens Centre/Victoria St, Richmond VIC 3121
Phone:(03) 9428 6100
 



 
 
9.30am-10.30am
 
 
 
11.30am-2pm
 
 
 
 
2.30pm-5.30pm
Thursday, February 27th
Dymocks Glen Waverley
173/235 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley VIC 3150
Phone:(03) 9886 3011
 
Collins Fountain Gate
Shop 2040 Fountain Gate Shopping Centre Lvl 2 Magid Drive
Fountain Gate 
Ph 03 9703 0790
 
 
Dymocks Fountain Gate
2075/6 Westfield Shopping Centre, Narre Warren, Victoria, Australia 380
(03) 9704 1245
 
Notions Unlimited
Chelsea Beach Arcade, Shop 9, 426 Nepean Hwy
Chelsea, VIC, 3196
(03) 9773 1102
 


 
10am-12pm
 
 
 
 
12.45pm-2.55pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
3pm-6pm
 
 
 
 
 
6.30pm-8pm
Friday, February 28th
Dymocks Knox
Shop 3110C, Knox City Shopping Centre, 425 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South, VIC 3152
Phone: (03) 9800 0880
 
Dymocks Southland
Shop 3067/8 Westfield Southland, 1239 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham, 3192
Phone: (03) 9584 1245
 
 
9.30am-11.30am
 
 
 
 
 
12.15pm-3pm

 

 

 

 

NSW

 

Saturday, March 1st
Dymocks Carlingford
L02,205/206,Carlingford Court/Carlingford Rd, Carlingford NSW 2118
Phone:(02) 9873 5011
 
 
Dymocks Castle Hill
Shop 390, Castle Towers/Old Castle Hill Rd, Castle Hill NSW 2154
Phone:(02) 9634 3108
 
 
(10am-1pm)
 
 
 
 
 
2pm-5pm
Sunday, March 2nd
Dymocks Burwood
Top Floor, Shop 323, Westfield Shopping Centre/Burwood Rd, Burwood NSW 2134
Phone:(02) 9744 1286
 
11am-2.30pm
 
 
 
 

 

 

QLD

 

Thursday, March 6th
 
TLC Books Manly
Shop 3, 7 Day Markets
50 Cambridge Pde
Manly   QLD   4179
Phn: 3393 5130
 
 
 
 
Dymocks City
Shop D17 177 Albert Street (Cnr Elizabeth & Albert), Brisbane, 4000
Phone: (07) 3007 2800
 



 
Angus and Robertson PO Square
 
280 Queen St, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone:  07 3220 2271
 
Dymocks Carindale
Shop 2008 Carindale Shopping Centre, Old Cleveland & Creed Roads, Carindale, 4152
Phone: (07) 3843 1143
 



 
 
 9am-10am
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11am-1.30pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2pm-4pm
 
 
 
 
 
5pm-8pm
Friday, March 7th
Pulp Fiction
Shop 28-29 Anzac Square Arcade
265-269 Edward Street Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel (07) 3236-2750
  
Dymocks Indooroopilly
Shop 3013 Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, 318-322 Moggill Road, Indooroopilly, 4068
Phone: (07) 3878 5544
 
Dymocks Chermside


Shops 249 Westfield Shoppingtown, Cnr Gympie & Hamilton Roads, Chermside, 4032
Phone: (07) 3350 5255
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9am-9.30am
 
 
 
 
 
 
10am-12pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
12.20pm-3pm
 

 

 

 

WA

 

Wednesday, March 12th
Dymocks Belmont
Shop G 125, Belmont Forum Shopping Centre, 227 Belmont Ave, Cloverdale, 6105
(08) 9277-9088
belmont@dymocks.com.au
 
 
Stefens
8 Shafto Lane, 397 Murray St, Perth
Phone: 08 9481 8393
 
 
 Kaleido books - Sabian Wilde
Shop , City Concourse, Perth Train Station, 6000
(08) 9221-3566
info@kaleidobooks.com
 
 
 
 
10am-12pm
 
 
 
 
 
12.30-2pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2/2.30pm - 5.30pm
Thursday, March 13th
Dymocks Joondalup Teresa Dunne or Joanna Brown  , confirmed
(08) 9300-0895
Shop T16 Lakeside Shopping Centre, Joondalup  WA  6027
 
Dymocks Morley – Pattie Stafford, confirmed
(08) 9276-7500
Shop133 Galleria Shopping Centre Collier Rd, Morley  WA  6062
 
Dymocks Garden City – Ann Poublon, confirmed
(08) 9316-2951
shop 33 garden city s/c Booragoon 6154
 
 
10am-12pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12.30-2.30pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3pm-5.30pm
Friday, March 14th
Rockingham books – Jim Sewell
Shop 12 Rockingham City Shopping Centre, Rockingham WA 6168
(08) 9527-4347
angrobrockingham@bigpond.com
Dymocks Midland – Russell Crew , Manager Chris
Great Eastern Hwy, Midland WA 6056
(08) 9274-7766
midland@dymocks.com.au
 
Dymocks Carousel – Russell Crew
Shop 1018 Carousel Shopping Centre, Cannington WA 6107
(08) 9356-8888
carousel@dymocks.com.au
 
10 am – 12 noon
 
 
 
 
 
 
1pm – 3 pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.30-5.30 pm

 

 

 

 

NSW

 

Sunday, March 16th
Berkelouw Cronulla
29 Cronulla Stairs, Cronulla NSW 2230
Phone:(02) 9544 4790
 
11am-2.30pm

 

 

 

 

ACT

 

Thursday, March 20th
Paperchain Manuka
 
34 Franklin St, Manuka ACT 2603
Phone:(02) 6295 6723
 
Dymocks Canberra
 
Shop DF 18, Canberra Centre/Bunda St
Canberra ACT
(02) 6257 5057
 
11am-1.30pm
 
 
 
 
2pm-5.30pm
Friday, March 21st
Dymocks Belconnen
T210, Westfield Shopping Centre/Benjamin Way, Belconnen ACT 2617
Phone:(02) 6251 2850
 
Dymocks Tuggeranong
Level 1 Shop 111-112, Tuggeranong Hyperdome, Anketell St, Greenway ACT 2900
Phone:(02) 6293 9055
 
 
10am-2pm
 
 
 
 
 
3.30pm-6.30pm

 

NSW

 

Saturday, March 22nd
Brown Books
 
Stockland Batemans Bay, Shop G32, Vesper St, Batemans Bay, NSW 2536, 2536
Phone:(02) 4472 9250
 
Dymocks Nowra
68 Kinghorne St, Nowra NSW 2541
Phone:(02) 4421 8699
 
 
 
10am-12.30pm
 
 
 
 
1.30pm -4pm
 
Thursday, March 27th
Berkelouw Hornsby
Shop B30-33, Level 3
Westfield Shopping Centre, Pacific Highway Hornsby NSW 2077
02 9987 2393
 
 
11am-2pm, 4pm-6pm
Friday, March 28th
 
Dymocks Wollongong
L03 320-321. Wollongong Central, 174/200 Crown Street, Wollongong, 2500
 
Phone: (02) 4229 7125
 
11am-2.30pm
Saturday, March 29th
Book Bazaar
9/327 West St, Umina Beach NSW 2257
Phone:(02) 4342 2482
 
Dymocks Macquarie
T210, Westfield Shopping Centre/Benjamin Way, Belconnen ACT 2617
Phone:(02) 6251 2850
 
 
10am-12pm
 
 
 
1pm-5pm