Library event Saturday 11th October

I’m incredibly excited and nervous in equal measure. Anyone who knows me well knows how anxious I am when faced with a crowd of people waiting to hear me speak. I only wish I had an ounce of the charisma Zac Polanski is endowed. Performing does not come easily to me, but this is the game of the independent author.

My answer to this stress is to prepare well. That is not easy when contributors are unable to attend at short notice. I have to adapt quickly, which is not always easy. Having support around me is my best asset, and I am grateful to my friends and family for their help. Also, I create alternatives for each aspect of the event, just in case. But I’m still plagued with the feeling, what if people don’t like the book, what if they get angry? I do write with a left-wing viewpoint that can rub some people the wrong way.

I have several strategies to manage such stress. I calm my panic with slow breathing, eating bananas, and, again, I use preparation strategies. I prepare by re-evaluating my arguments and creating prepared statements. I will take the time to think, enabling me to answer honestly and carefully. Most importantly, we are allowed to disagree. I express my opinion through my fiction to encourage people to discuss and often disagree.

I will let you know how it goes!

Wallasey Central Library, 11 October 2025 2.30pm.