Nothing quite prepares an author for the thrill of walking into a bookshop for the first time and seeing their book – with its freshly designed cover and hundreds of pages filled with densely typed words – sitting on a shelf, offered for sale. A thrilling experience indeed, but also a daunting one. After years of writing and editing, the book is finally available for the public to read.
During the past month, I have visited 19 bookstores in Belgium, chatted to booksellers, signed copies of De Graveur, slipped bookmarks inside books. It’s also been a marvellous opportunity to visit such beautiful cities as Mechelen, Leuven, Gent and Antwerp. Gothic architecture, cobblestone streets and stores selling Belgium chocolate abound. Travels in Belgium also afforded visits to several Trappist monasteries to sample the local brew.
Next on the book-signing tour will be cities throughout the Netherlands.