And she’s off! Ruth Leigh kicks off with Mr Leigh looking on
Back in the day (by which I mean when we didn’t routinely wear masks and bandy terms like, “LFT” and “PCR test” around), authors, what had written books, would have book launches. These would take place in bookshops, or pubs, or libraries, they tell me. Lots of people would come, buy their signed copy, listen to the author speak and sip fizz and nibble canapes. It was all jolly good fun, apparently.
Doing it all online during lockdown for my first book, the Diary of Isabella M Smugge, suited me down to the ground. My second, the Trials of Isabella M Smugge, came out in October just before half term. We were meant to be in France, but an outbreak of Covid at Leigh Towers put paid to that. The run-up to Christmas was too busy, so I ended up launching Isabella Two the first weekend in February.
The Online Book Launch for the Trials of Isabella M Smugge
My thinking was that nothing much really happens in February (apologies to anyone born in that month) and that everyone would relish the chance to have a nice sit down and watch me drink Prosecco while burbling on about my heroine and playing fun games.
The difference between this launch and the last was that I had an entourage this time round (Mr Leigh, the Distribution and Logistics Manager and Head of Nutrition, and Lovely Jason himself, the Marketing Department). I didn’t have to worry about tech (LJ did all that) or pouring my own champers (Mr Leigh). In art imitating life, I am becoming Isabella M Smugge. I say that. I’m not, obviously, but a girl can dream.
Confetti Canons & Everything!
Bags & confetti
Highlights of the last launch were the earth-shakingly loud confetti cannons which made me jump every time, Hashtag Heaven, Casting Couch and discussion over the massive cliff-hanger at the end of the book. This time around, we played the same games again, but we had to cast Toby and Davina. Being a helpful kind of girl, I am getting ready for the inevitable phone call from the BBC or Netflix, begging me to let them adapt Isabella for the silver screen. Who’s got time to cast it all? Well, me. Hence the game.
Casting Couch
The voting was brisk. Toby, the well-meaning, kind-hearted younger brother of Johnnie Smugge (almost universally loathed) has a starring role in book two, as does his wife Davina. The actors shortlisted were:
Andrew Lincoln
James McAvoy
Gerard Butler
Gerard Butler: Phwoarrrr!! He is HOT!
Gerard was suggested by my friend and inveterate Smugge-er Lisa from the Post Office. Chatting to her on Thursday, I mentioned my search for three nice-looking actors to play Toby. The conversation went something like this:
Me: I thought maybe James McAvoy. He’s a good solid actor. And perhaps Andrew Lincoln. You know, from This Life back in the 90s.
Lisa: I’ll tell you who you want, Ruth. Gerard Butler. Phwoarrrr!! He is HOT!
Me: Hmmm. I hadn’t thought about him. Isn’t he a bit too handsome though? Toby’s supposed to be solid and dependable.
Lisa: (in a Gerard-induced daydream): Mmmm, Gerard, phwoar! He’s so lovely. I wouldn’t say no.”
Me: I’m seeing him more in his early days. Like in Mrs Brown. OK-looking but not nearly as yummy as he is these days.
Lisa: Seriously, you’ve got to cast him. He’s the only one for the role.
Sure enough, on launch day, my viewers voted Gerard in as Toby. Next was his wife, Horsey Davina, a woman who Isabella misjudges and overlooks in Diary, but who starts to appreciate in Trials. Our shortlist was:
Miranda Hart
Olivia Colman
Kate Beckinsale
Miranda won by a head, galloping to victory and I’m sure she’ll be delighted to play opposite the lovely Gerard.
One of the reasons I like online launches is that you get international Smugge-ers joining you. My over-refreshed cousin in Tokyo, endorser of Trials Lauren Brandenburg in Tennessee and my friend and goddaughter Alex and Anette in Norway added to the excitement.
The Entourage: Nick Leigh & Jason Smith with Ruth
Hashtag Heaven
We played Hashtag Heaven and there were some great entries. The winners will be announced shortly, so keep an eye out on my page. The new merch (mugs and pens) was much admired and several people suggested that Isabella’s Pro-Vitamin Tea Tree Oil Infused moisturising socks should be added to the list.
Pride and Prejudice and Product Placement
We played a new game, Pride and Prejudice and Product Placement, suggested by my lovely agent Tony Collins. The Smugge-ers came up with some crackers, based on Isabella living in a new build in around 1780 with her husband Sir John Smugge and having nothing better to do than suggest products for her rich friends.
Top of the range quills which help the writer to produce slightly racy but still entirely acceptable missives (Quills for Thrills) were suggested by Charlie, as were Hassle-Free Tassels, different coloured tassels attached to bookmarks which alert interested gentlemen to a young lady’s mood.
Sarah Nicholson came up with Collins’ Carriages, allowing passengers to arrive at the ball in style and making even the bumpiest journeys smooth. Andy Chamberlain invented a very Isabella product, Bodice Goddess Inc and on the same lines, Fran introduced the notion of a whalebone corset. All these suggestions may well be incorporated into Isabella’s world.
Who likes the idea of sending our heroine back to Georgian times? I think she’d do pretty well.
The Life & Continued Times of Isabella M Smugge
And so Trials was duly officially launched and now I’m engaged in writing Life and Continued Times which will be available for pre-order in September and in the shops in October.
Will Isabella take Johnnie back? (Almost to a man, the Smugge-ers said she shouldn’t).
How will Isabella cope with living with the world’s worst housemate? (Mummy).
Is Lavinia still on Issy’s case?
And will the woman Gorgeous Home magazine called Britain’s Most Relatable Mum Designer be able to negotiate the tricky path of balancing friendship and success?
All you have to do to find out the answers to these questions is to subscribe to my blog here and keep an eye on my socials.
#issyridesagain #issythree #whatnext