We’ve had some great book launches over the years. Our first book, Joolz Denby’s The Curious Mystery… was launched in an evening of poetry and music in Bradford. City Baby came kicking and screaming into the world in a pub in Birmingham. And yesterday, on the longest day of the year, we celebrated the launch of our latest publication – Carl Stanley’s outrageous, raw, and hilarious memoir Kiss & Make Up – in a packed bar in the heart of London.
The evening was as wonderful and vibrant as any we’ve been part of. Conversation flowed over a backdrop of 1980s New Romantic tunes; we had live music from Maggie K De Monde (formerly of Birmingham band Swans Way) and her husband Leif; and then Carl took the stage to applause and wolf whistles, to talk about the club scene in Birmingham back in the day, about his love of dressing-up, and about running the gauntlet of trouble in the city centre in a ballgown. And barefoot. Then he read an extract from his book, to an audience who were both enrapt and enthralled!
Next there was a Q&A with the celebrated Dusty ‘O’ who’s known both Carl and his mother Janet for over 30 years, and – finally – there was a moving and searingly honest speech from Carl’s mom which brought the house down. There are many reasons to buy this wonderful book but it’s giving nothing away to say it’s worth getting your hands on it for Janet’s contribution alone. There may even be an unexpected bonus picture of Mrs Thatcher in there too (we couldn’t possibly say).
Then it was back to the music, the laughter, and the drinking to round off the perfect launch for a wonderful book. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who came and made it such a special evening, and our very heartfelt thanks to the small team who put in the hard work which made it possible. It was an evening to treasure. May there be many more.
