petite anglaise

March 7, 2008

signed

Filed under: book stuff — petiteanglaiseparis @ 12:45 pm

While I catch up on all the bits and pieces clogging up my inbox, I thought it might be worth pointing out that, having embarked on a whistle stop tour of a few London bookshops yesterday, signed copies of petite are now available from:

  • Waterstone’s, Harrods
  • Waterstone’s, 91 Oxford Street
  • Waterstone’s, Garrick Street
  • Waterstone’s, Trafalgar Square
  • Blackwell’s, Charing Cross Road
  • Selfridges
  • Waterstone’s, 41 Oxford Street (Opposite Selfridges)
  • Foyles, Charing Cross Road
  • Foyles, St Pancras station

Signed copies are also available up North in:

  • Little Apple bookshop, Petergate, York
  • Waterstones, York
  • Borders, York
  • Waterstones, Albion Street, Leeds
  • Borders, Briggate, Leeds
foyles.jpg

This picture was taken at the Foyles bookshop in St Pancras station at their official launch party, yesterday evening. I signed about 100 copies of the book in the time available before I had to check in for the last Eurostar, which meant forgoing the lovely canapés and declining a refill of champagne. (I think that’s called suffering for my art.)

It was lovely to hear that “petite” is one of their bestselling titles, and to see huge piles of my book prominently displayed in several different places around the shop.

If you are desperate to get your hands on a signed copy – and I’ve lost track of the number of people who have contacted me by email about this – and are not anywhere near London, Leeds or York then Philippa of Little Apple would be happy to arrange to post you a signed copy, while stocks last.

Appeal for help!

If anyone is able to grab the sound file from the BBC Radio Five Live interview with Victoria Derbyshire yesterday (Thursday 6 March, 2 hours and 14 minutes in) I’d be really grateful. Can’t work out how to do this using garageband…

Similarly the interview which starts about 35 minutes into today (Friday 6th)’s edition of the Tubridy show on RTE (quite long, quite personal, I get called a “bitch” at one point!) – I’d love to have a copy for posterity, as the listen again function is only there for a short time…

These are now all on the book press page.

More later…

56 Comments

  1. Any chance of getting my copy (which arrived from amazon.fr this morning) signed? :)

    Comment by Greg — March 7, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

  2. I hate the whole culture of celebrity in the UK but had I known which bookshop you were in when I might have come along, in disguise (so as not to be recognised, hah hah)

    Doffing hat and raising champagne glass in yr direction.

    http://wombatdiet.net/2008/03/06/inside-out-perspectives/

    I will ask for it in Daunts which you missed–by far the nicest bookshop in London.

    Comment by Eats Wombats — March 7, 2008 @ 1:24 pm

  3. I have watched/listened to/read several of the interviews you’ve given now.

    You come across very well, not at all flustered or nervous.

    Comment by Jacqueline — March 7, 2008 @ 1:35 pm

  4. Any chance of visiting Dublin for a book signing? I’d be there with bells on!

    Comment by Yvonne — March 7, 2008 @ 1:35 pm

  5. Timing… :( I browsed through several of those bookshops (and bought a copy of your book) not even a week ago, before there were any signed copies available. I nearly finished the entire book during the trip on the eurostar (to Brussels, not Paris).

    Comment by Marjolein — March 7, 2008 @ 2:41 pm

  6. Yes, Daunt’s is a fantastic shop and has a wonderful travel section themed by country. It was interesting to see the Guardian promoting the book as “travel literature” rather than “chick lit” – I imagine you prefer that label…

    Comment by old school friend — March 7, 2008 @ 3:24 pm

  7. I’m headed to St Pancras this evening… I’ll have “just” missed your book signing there.

    Comment by A Seattleite in Paris — March 7, 2008 @ 3:35 pm

  8. Wow!What a busy schedule! How you manage to disconnect yourself and write your second book or you didn’t start yet??

    Comment by penelope — March 7, 2008 @ 3:45 pm

  9. Hi,

    I’ve just grabbed the Five Live audio and am starting on the RTE.
    I’ll email them shortly

    Cheers,

    Chris

    Comment by chris — March 7, 2008 @ 4:10 pm

  10. Just finished your article in the UK Marie Claire I have read your blog from day one and never imagined mr frog to have that name dont know why! Dont even know why you would like to know this piece of information but never mind! Love the blog cant wait to read the book!

    Comment by Kirsty — March 7, 2008 @ 4:29 pm

  11. So if we plotted the trail of signed copies on a map we could work out exactly where you went in London yesterday.

    You appear to have walked straight past my office.

    Oh well, now I have to go out and buy two copies – one for the plane back to Oz next week, and one for my mum.

    I’m sure it will sit comfortably beside Russell Brand’s My Bookywook.

    Comment by Damian — March 7, 2008 @ 4:35 pm

  12. Off Topic, but I though you might find this interesting. Was wondering about your thoughts on the subject…..

    Comment by Dave of the Lake — March 7, 2008 @ 4:45 pm

  13. I should point out, to anyone reading the Marie Claire piece, that the names of Mr Frog and Tadpole in there are completely fictional…

    Comment by petite — March 7, 2008 @ 4:51 pm

  14. what about Liverpool?! not the world’s famous destination I know but well worth it : complete strangers constantly call you luv and it feels nice.

    Comment by est — March 7, 2008 @ 5:23 pm

  15. I really enjoyed listening to you on tubridy but didnt hear the last few minutes and dont know if your doing book signing in Dublin this weekend?

    I hope you took the bitch bit in the fun that it was meant and not literally!

    Comment by Deirdre hegarty — March 7, 2008 @ 5:50 pm

  16. I have just finished reading your book, which I devoured in two days (very fast for me). You have a gift with the written word and an ability to coax out the emotions of this reader at least. I hope the book brings you new horizons.

    Comment by Michael — March 7, 2008 @ 5:52 pm

  17. Enjoy the moment. Loved the train wreck of a blog, beautifully written, what male wouldnt fall in love with you?

    Pictures of book launch (very much on your own even although photos taken within a group context..very interesting..) and own total consumption with temporary celeberity status spell disaster ahead.

    Bank the cheque; disappear with tadpole; reinvent yourself and reappear later, you can still do it! Dont let your 15 mins of fame ruin the rest of your’s and tadpole’s life!

    Sorry,

    Joe

    Comment by Joe — March 7, 2008 @ 6:01 pm

  18. Can anyone upload the story from marie claire uk, since i live elswhere and here that magazine cost a fortune not worth otherwise pay for. Thanks. the story is not on their website.

    Can’t find the ‘bitch’ interview on rte. Sorry for my clumsiness.

    Comment by pchenge — March 7, 2008 @ 6:14 pm

  19. Although I do like the cover of the American version better, I don’t like the thought of your work being “American-ized”. I mean, we do both speak English!

    Comment by halcyon — March 7, 2008 @ 8:08 pm

  20. you do a lot of HM during your speach, interview. I like it Why? is it that you always did or something that you just picked up with time

    Comment by pchenge — March 7, 2008 @ 8:17 pm

  21. I just listened to the Irish interview; it was really good and completely different from the BBC Breakfast show item. Hopefully, we can find a way to preserve it on-line for everyone to hear.

    Comment by Pierre L — March 7, 2008 @ 8:22 pm

  22. Your book arrived this morning and I’ve just finished it. A great read – my only disappointment was that it stopped before the end of the story so far. Won’t there be a sequel?????

    Comment by sablonneuse — March 7, 2008 @ 10:17 pm

  23. Doh! I was at St Pancras yesterday! We could have air-kissed. Sadly, I just popped in for a crap.

    Comment by backroads — March 7, 2008 @ 11:58 pm

  24. um, what does HM mean?

    Comment by petite — March 8, 2008 @ 12:06 am

  25. UHUM, UHUM when you don’t answer just say uhum, with a loud sound that is very interesting to hear very few people do it.

    Comment by pchenge — March 8, 2008 @ 10:45 am

  26. probably the microphone was to close to your mouth

    Comment by pchenge — March 8, 2008 @ 10:47 am

  27. I’ve become addicted to reading your blog after seeing the article in (I think) the Mail on Sunday last week (‘You’ magazine).

    I’ve gone back to the beginning and haven’t allowed myself to cheat by reading the more up to date stuff until I’m completely caught up. I’m actually doing well!

    I did notice that you were doing the book signing in York which was terrible timing for me as I’m in York this coming week instead so thanks for providing a list of places I *might* still get a signed copy.

    Keep up the good work!

    PS. I can’t for the life of me think where the little apple bookshop is on Petergate – and I thought I knew York well……

    Comment by Angela — March 8, 2008 @ 10:51 am

  28. Let me know if you still need any of the audio clips grabbed. I can get them.

    Comment by Rowena — March 8, 2008 @ 10:55 am

  29. I was thinking exactly the same things as Joe (post 17 above) he expressed it very well. The blog seems to have moved from something deeply personal to being a bit of a book promotion site. It might be hard to get back.

    Congratulations on your success you should enjoy it, and the best of luck for the future.

    Comment by Trevor — March 8, 2008 @ 11:31 am

  30. Hi Petite, I finished your book in record time as I couldn’t put it down. Having been a secretary working for an old school tie in my earlier days and what with the juggling of childcare, I can identify with some of your experiences. I am so pleased for your success – long may it continue. Incidentally, I am travelling to Paris on the Eurostar for a day’s “shop” with my 21 year old daughter next week. It’s a bonding session – when she was younger I worked and we haven’t been particularly close – please don’t let that happen with you and Tadpole.

    Comment by Jane S — March 8, 2008 @ 11:38 am

  31. The blog has temporarily become about promoting my book because this week I was mostly, um, promoting my book.

    The whole point of a personal blog being that I write about what I’m doing at the time. And I think you’ll find that my ‘regulars’ – who are thrilled for me and supportive of this – want to read about where they can watch me squirming on live television or pick up a signed copy. My own blog does rather seem a natural place to share that sort of information.

    No?

    But just as soon as normality returns (and Tadpole from her holidays) then I’ll be back to “Tadpole says” and wedding plans. And no doubt there will be someone out there who will moan about that, too.

    Comment by petite — March 8, 2008 @ 1:11 pm

  32. I’ve always wondered — how do people sign all those books??? Does your hand start to hurt??? Do you begin to forget how to spell your own name??????

    Comment by Rachel — March 8, 2008 @ 2:59 pm

  33. Well Petite personally I am interested in your daily “ups and downs” you make it all sound so entertaining. Life, after all, can be very mundane for all of us some of the time, if not all of the time! So don’t take any notice of the moaning! All the best…

    Comment by Jane S — March 8, 2008 @ 3:14 pm

  34. Hi Catherine, have looked on website for Waterstones in Oxford Street, it says there is one at 19-23oxford street, but not 91…is this right or wrong???

    Comment by Anne — March 8, 2008 @ 4:42 pm

  35. I’d recommend downloading a copy of Audio Hijack (http://www.tucows.com/preview/286194) and using that to record the interview. You can record sound from any program on your Mac using this software. :-)

    Btw, love the blog, and once I have some spare cash, I’ll be snagging a copy of the book as well!

    Comment by Alys — March 8, 2008 @ 5:38 pm

  36. Oh for Chrissakes! It seems ‘tall poppy syndrome” is alive and kicking among certain commenters here and elsewhere. It’s one thing constructively criticising the blog / book, but entirely another to suggest Petite shouldn’t enjoy and wallow in every single moment of her success, and document it here for her readers. I’ve been following the blog since the early days, and I think there is still quite enough of the Petite Anglaise we know and love – the recent posts around the proposal being a case in point. Why do some people feel such a burning desire to rain on other people’s parade? It’s comments such as Trevor and co’s that are tedious and predictable – not this blog.

    Comment by nicola — March 8, 2008 @ 5:54 pm

  37. There aren’t many signed copies left at Waterstones Garrick Street (Waterstones Covent Garden, if you enter through the other door). I took what looked like the last two, unless there was a secret stash. I took the last one from the table and the other was the last one under Sanderson on the Biographies shelves.

    (They were also sold out of Russell Brand’s My Bookywook, in case anyone’s looking for it. I’ll have to get it at the airport.)

    Comment by Damian — March 8, 2008 @ 6:23 pm

  38. to 36 it’s petite anglaise who decides which comment should appear,and I think since we are not the same, I do beleive that there are people who didn’t got what they wanted for their money.

    And there are a lot of course who cannot wait for the second book to arrive. Many of us have read the book in one sitting. That’s is something

    Comment by pchenge — March 8, 2008 @ 9:31 pm

  39. Hello Catherine,
    I’m sure you won’t remember me, but I’ve been following your blog for about 2 years.
    I’ve been very busy myself lately, but knew your book was due for release soon, so popped by.
    I want to wish you much success with your debut novel and all good things. I just ordered it from Amazon US for your June 17 release.
    Also, best wishes with your upcoming wedding.

    Comment by Terri — March 9, 2008 @ 12:18 am

  40. I live in LA (though am a die-hard francophile) and am thoroughly engrossed in your book! 6000 miles away, and am enjoying every page!

    Patricia M.
    Sherman Oaks, CA

    Comment by Patricia — March 9, 2008 @ 4:10 am

  41. I too love to hear what you are up to at the moment and am actually a bit irritated by these new readers who ask questions that if they take the time to read back through the blogs (like i did) they would have all the answers.

    Is it true that if you sign a book the store can not return it to the publisher? I once read a funny piece about an author being chased out of a book store who was doing this in secret and wondered if it were true.

    Comment by Jessica — March 9, 2008 @ 4:46 am

  42. At the risk of stating the obvious, it is nice to see that your book is still ranked #185 in sales at amazon uk (#17 in biographies), even though the very reduced special price of the first week has gone.
    As the others have said, most of us are very happy for you, looking forward to your future novel, and happy to read all the info you give us. However, a post about how the book signing in York (too far away for me to attend) would be nice…

    Comment by pierre l — March 9, 2008 @ 9:54 am

  43. @38 I’m fully for constructive criticism as I said. It would be boring if every single comment / review was fawning praise. The comments I was referring to were Joe’s and Trevor’s, the undercurrent of which was: “how dare you be pleased or wish to talk about your success” and “enjoy it while you can because it won’t last/you’re heading for a fall”. Hence my Tall Poppy comment. Admittedly these comments were couched in a polite and non-offensive manner, so I’m not suggesting they shouldn’t make it through moderation. The premise of this blog is ‘slices of my life’, so it would be strange for current posts not to reflect the activity around publicising the book, and disingenuous to suggest that this is not meeting the expectation of readers. I also happen to think (although of course others may disagree) that some of the recent posts – e.g the one about The Boy asking for Tadpole’s permission to marry her mum – were classic Petite Anglaise, and the reason why I and many others continue to read this blog after so many years. If the quality of the writing or material dropped, I’d be off in a flash, as like most people I’ve got better things to do with my time than read a duff blog.

    Comment by Nicola — March 9, 2008 @ 1:39 pm

  44. What, you were in St Prancras (5 minutes from my office) when I am in India on work! Is there no justice.

    Comment by Jeremy — March 9, 2008 @ 4:56 pm

  45. Here here, Nicola. I think you summed it up nicely there.

    I’ve been reading this blog from the start (I am an Australian, dating a Frenchman, living in London, about to move to Paris…so can understand some of the subject material well and have really appreciated this blog!). I have just come home with my signed copy of the book!! I’m setting myself up with a cup of tea, ready to enjoy!!

    Thanks Petite and keep it coming! :)

    Biz
    Emma

    Comment by Emma — March 9, 2008 @ 7:44 pm

  46. Oops, that should have read ‘hear, hear’!!

    Comment by Emma — March 9, 2008 @ 7:46 pm

  47. Hello Petite. I listened to womans hour last week while I was traveling along the M5. I had never conisdered looking at a blog let alone having my own. I loved the interview, played it again on iplayer and found your blog. I am now hooked, and feeling the thrill at posting my first entry! I am now halfway through your book (as my children have been out to play all day!)and loving it.Thanks its been great reading you!

    Comment by Billy — March 9, 2008 @ 7:46 pm

  48. Right on, Nicola! :)

    Comment by Kat — March 9, 2008 @ 9:01 pm

  49. Petite, I don’t know if you have already seen it, but your blog has been included in The Guardian’s list of 50 most influent blogs in the world…

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/mar/09/blogs

    Congratulations :)

    Comment by LostInBrittany — March 10, 2008 @ 2:00 am

  50. Hi Petite,
    I have stalked and admired your ‘pond’ ever since you kissed your first frog. Well done on all you have achieved. Something you may not know that you have achieved (if you did you have kept it extremely quiet) is that you appear in 36th place on the list of the WORLD’S most powerful bloggers.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/mar/09/blogs

    OK, you are ever so slightly behind Girl but hey, you are almost a respectably married woman! Well done and keep blogging,

    Andrew (a Brit in Champagne)

    Comment by Andrew — March 10, 2008 @ 7:05 am

  51. I assume the ‘Toby’ in the book is another fictitious name. Nobody could have survived in Leeds with a name like that!

    Comment by parkin pig — March 10, 2008 @ 9:56 am

  52. Were they awful to you on Tubridy? I missed it, raging! He has a reputation for being probing with his questions and the country has a love/hate relationship with him. I hope he wasn’t calling you names for leaving Mr. Frog ( he left his wife recently enough!)

    Comment by susie — March 10, 2008 @ 10:35 am

  53. Wow, the chain continues.

    First Anna inspired Petite.
    Now Petite has inspired Billy.

    I can’t wait for the Moments from Suburbia book.

    Comment by Damian — March 10, 2008 @ 11:26 am

  54. Thanks for posting that list! I was diappointed that I couldn’t get over to York last week, but I dashed out in my lunch hour today to get a copy from the Leeds Borders…

    Comment by becca — March 10, 2008 @ 6:48 pm

  55. I am currently reading your book, and it is better than I had imagined, and I imagined it would be really good. Brava, Petite!

    The link to Little Apple you posted does not allow me to contact Phillippa. Perhaps they have become overwhelmed by requests since your post? Or perhaps I am too foreign? I would like to order a signed copy, since I don’t expect to see you in Missouri any time soon!

    Best Wishes (and I’m putting “the stink eye” on the woman who said “slapper”)

    pam

    Comment by PJ Carz — March 13, 2008 @ 12:42 am

  56. Great book really enjoyed it I had it read too quick

    Comment by Mary Fleming — March 14, 2008 @ 10:48 pm


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