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Book Launch in Port Macquarie
Thursday, December 09, 2010 2:36:00 PM
by Valdemar (Val) R Wake
| Marketing |
| More than $500 worth of books sold in one hour. |
Val Wake the author of four titles since his retirement in 1995, organised his own book launch in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia on Thursday 9 December 2010.
" I have given talks and attended book signings but I did not attend my first book launch because it was in Adelaide. This was an unusual experience for me," said Wake speaking in Port Macquarie.
The Port Macquarie Public Library was the venue for the launch. The library is less than 10 years old and is in the distinctive Australian architectural style of Glen Murcutt.
Kath Millard, the chief librarian offered Wake her full support for the launch. Setting aside the meeting room, arranging chairs, organising a tea and coffee urn and even the display Val Wake's books.
About 30 people turned out for the launch. Many were Wake's friends and acquaintances but about half of the audience was made up of local readers attracted by the publicity organised by Kath Millard and Val Wake.
There were a number of sailors in the audience. One of them, John Freeman, had learnt to sail with Val Wake on Spray. There were also the new Spray owners, Jim and Nancy Ringland.
Cameron Marshall the programme manager of the local ABC radio station hosted the event.
Marshall used to sail with Wake on Spray and in his introductory remarks Marshall referred to his sailing experiences.
Wake gave a half hour talk with reference to his four titles, why they were written and how they became books.
Wake devoted most of his talk to the launch of My Voyage. He said:
"My Voyage around Spray is about an old man's love affair with the sea and a young man starting out, looking for a purpose in life. Dylan Phillips was that young man. He joined me on Spray when he was 14 years old. Together we learnt by our mistakes."
Dylan Phillips is now a serving officer with the Royal Australian Navy. He served on HMAS Parramatta in the Arabian Gulf and was leader of the party boarding Somalia pirates' boats.
Dylan's mother, Sue Phillips was in the audience for the launch and at the end of Val Wake's talk Sue Phillips publicly thanked Val for being Dylan's surrogate granddad.
At the end of the launch Wake found that he sold more than $500 worth of books. Most people bought more than one copy of a title as Christmas presents.
" You never know on an occasion like this what's going to happen. I don't think I will do it again. It takes a lot out of you. Still I am glad I did it," said Wake
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www.valwaketheauthor.com
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