07.06.18 Book Launch

In November of 2017, I submitted a play and a poem to be considered for an annual anthology that the university publishes. A month later I was accepted for both pieces and working with an editor to work out the kinks in them and get them in perfect publishing condition. Fast forward to June and I attended the launch of the book with my mum and best friend, Katie.

(QUICK SIDENOTE) The day previous to this I had gone to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre with my other best friend, Lucy and while walking onto the train, did not 'mind the gap' as it were and my right leg fell straight down. About 5-6 people on the train rushed to pull me up as I was in shock and likely I escaped relatively unharmed. My leg is as purple as Thanos, my tights were ripped and I had scratches bleeding through but it could've been a lot worse. Anyway, I had a slight limp as a result of this while walking to Greenwich.

My Mum parked up at Island Gardens and we took the footpath under the Thames to get to the University. The sky blessed me with a clear blue sky and a bright sun smiling over, with a slight breeze, the epitome of a perfect summer afternoon. We walked over to the Queen Anne building, welcomed by a screen displaying the anthology, as well as a snack table with an array of complimentary wines (which I took full advantage of).

I spoke with a few people about the book, as well as my Playwriting teacher who had some very kind words to say about me to my mum before we took our seats to find a copy of the book sitting atop them. A few better asked me to sign their copies which I was more than happy to comply with before the show started. My short story teacher gave a small speech about us being 'a part of British Literature forever' as the anthology is archived in the British Library. He then went on to call us 'talented writers' and believed we would all make it in the industry. We also may be getting contacted by literary agents and representatives once they get a copy of the book to read through and pick out their favourite writers.

After this inspiring speech, it was time to do the readings of the work we published in the anthology. I was third up and I read my poem 'Intertwine'. Surprisingly, I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be and it went swimmingly without those dreaded nerves that always make you pull out of things you want to do. Being on stage, performing my work felt- right. It's a feeling I always want to have, applause is something I always want to hear, and the smiles on people's faces are something I always want to see. It all just felt, amazing.

Afterwards, we helped ourselves to some more wine, took a lot of pictures and basked in the sunset of the sky, the brisk chill floating around, the remnants of heat still filling the air and the lights being turned on around the university. It was a perfect day to celebrate the launch on something I'm apart of. We then walked around Greenwich, taking the foot tunnel back over, driving home and getting a takeaway to round off a brilliant day that inspired me to the fullest. The support I was given from my friends and parents, as well as the pride I see in my mum's eyes, is enough to make my heart swell with happiness.

It's events like this that remind me why I love what I do and continue to pursue it.