As a child, writer Sarah Anderson had her arm amputated. Her stiff-upper-lip family never spoke of the trauma – and nor did she. Denial came at a cost, she tells Cassandra Jardine Shortly before Sarah Anderson’s 10th birthday, the first lump was found just below the elbow of her left arm. For the next seven … Read more
Ring around more bookshops in the morning – again nothing but friendly and positive responses. I preface my telephone calls with ‘Hello my name is Sarah Anderson and I used to have the Travel Bookshop in Notting Hill’ – it helps. Do the monthly accounts for the company – soon I must do the end … Read more
Decide to release the books – the Mail’s contract was only until last Saturday – so the shops might as well start selling them. But how are people going to know about the book until I get something in the press? I take 5 huge grey mail bags to the post – over 150 books … Read more
Spend most of Saturday writing about wilderness books for Guardian Unlimited – rather enjoyable although I would like to settle down and read in more detail. On Monday I send off my copy to the Guardian and I ring round more bookshops – again all very positive. Do a large e-mail to people in my … Read more
Do more ringing round of bookshops – they all seem very positive – however when I get the weekly figures from Central Books – very few shops have ordered this week. Disappointing. The Mail ring to say it won’t be in on Saturday or Monday – maybe Tuesday … I no longer expect it – … Read more
Rupert comes round in the morning and we do some filming outside the Electric Brasserie with all the attendant noise of Portobello Road. He thinks he might be able to make two films out of the session. Do some more ringing around of bookshops; the image of the book is now on the Gardners website. … Read more
Deliver some Inside Notting Hill books to WH Smith, drop in on Waterstones and then go and see Sophie in the new Persephone bookshop. Very nice chat and she is going to order both Notting Hill and Halfway to Venus. A very nice shop with books published by Persephone along one wall and hand-picked titles … Read more
Ring Robert Topping in Ely to tell him about book and the new Persephone bookshop in Kensington Church Street. Take a copy of the book round to Minette Marrin in the hope that she can think of something to do with it! Book fair at Earls Court for 4 hours – quite long enough. Amy … Read more
Busy, busy day. Interviewed by Telegraph in the morning and then photographed by them. Spend afternoon ringing about 25 independent bookshops around the country with a few Waterstones thrown in. The Mail ring to say that the piece is NOT going in tomorrow – maybe Thursday. Confirm an interview with Three Counties radio on May … Read more
Photographer comes on Saturday morning – only stays for about 45 minutes – a relief since I have a migraine and had a sleepless night. Pack up 144 books to send off which takes much of Sunday – but finish all the pre-orders.