This time round I met a pretty healthy number of people - some fans, some people who'd never heard of Jimmy Coates (but have now), and a few who looked incredibly confused just to be in a bookshop. And there were many, many shortbread biscuits - excellent.
Apart from providing me with biscuits, the kind folk at Borders had set me up at a table at the front of the store, which is where you want to be, of course, but the downside was that I spent the whole afternoon with two books staring at me. Two books with remarkably similar covers:
I don't know which book came out first. I expect it was Sir Cliff's, but maybe it wasn't. And maybe it's just a coincidence. But I like to think that somewhere in the office of a publishing house one of the following conversations took place:
Publishing Lackey: So, Craig, we're really excited about publishing your life story. Especially all that juicy stuff about the balls and the glitter. But which of these cover concepts do you like?
Craig Revel-Horwood: No no no no no no no no! These will not do! I want to be a beloved national icon! MAKE ME LOOK LIKE CLIFF RICHARD!
Or was it this:
Publishing Lackey: Sir Cliff, we're honoured that you chose us to publish your words of wisdom.
Sir Cliff: It's more than my words of wisdom. It's my life.
PL: Of course, Sir Cliff. And your way.
Sir Cliff: Indeed. My life. My way.
PL: So, we were thinking of doing a sexy cover shoot. Perhaps you with your shirt off, running on a beach...?
Sir Cliff: Good idea... but what could be sexier than this?
PL: Er, that's somebody else's book.
Sir Cliff: Isn't it a sexy cover?
PL: Er, it's Craig Revel Horwood.
Sir Cliff: I know. All balls.
PL: And glitter.
Sir Cliff: But also balls.
PL: Er...
Sir Cliff: This is the look I want. Make it happen.
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