Selima and the Merfolk Official Book Launch

Life is a busy thing that we are forced to attend to every day. Sometimes when we work hard and smart we create milestones that, unfortunately because life is going on, they quickly fade from our memory, or we never stop to acknowledge them at all. Friday 29^th May 2015 is a date I will never forget or take for granted.

I hosted my first book launch for my young adult novel Selima and the Merfolk. It took a lot of correspondence and planning to get everything together (guests list, photographer, sponsors, location, model, costume etc.). As I think about it now, the launch might have been more work than writing the book, even though the launch took about two months to plan, and the book took three years to complete. The pace was different. However, I would not trade the experience for anything. I feel like I have learned so much about the process and business of writing. I still have a lot more work to do as SATM is the first book of a series.

My heart is full of gratitude; I feel the same level of excitement and satisfaction that I did on Friday. The launch worked out perfectly. It began with a lively raffle of books, courtesy British Gas T&T. Their Head of Policy and Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Candice Clark-Salloum attended the launch and presented the books to the many unsuspecting students.

Kasi Sengor

Jason Jarvis

Derik Smith

Sophia Lezama

Mr. Kasi Sengor was the first guest speaker. He accurately captured my journey as a writer, as he has been a source of support to me from the beginning. I was very insecure when I began writing (short stories) but with his help I learned to accept advice and constructive criticism.

Illustrator Jason Javis spoke next. He gave an encouraging speech about the process of designing the cover that he did in conjunction with Mr. Derick Smith (Graphic Artist). I appreciate the depth he went into about his process because though the children were shy to question him, I noticed how captivated they were while he spoke. Maybe one of them will be encouraged to be an Illustrator.

Ms. Sophia Lezama of Bishops Anstey High School East read an excerpt from SATM. She read so eloquently that even I felt like I was hearing the story for the first time.

Next was me. I had a lot to be grateful for and wanted to make sure I acknowledged each group of people who helped me along the way, in some shape or form. I am so proud of myself … I didn’t cry.

Marios Pizzeria Limited closed the program with three delicious door prizes. Incidentally, one of the winners had only been at the library to view the room that my launch was held, and she decided to stay.

All in all, all is well. Thank you to my sponsors British Gas T&T and Marios Pizzeria Limited. Their contribution added an excitement and quality to my event that I would not have been able to create on my own.  I appreciate their donations, and I am sure that my guests did as well. Thank you to all the people who helped me put the book together, all the teachers and students who attended and reviewed the book, NALIS – for reviewing the book and allowing me to use their premises, my mermaid Melinna, all my friends and family, and the guests who popped in and were compelled to stay for the entire programme.

I will never forget my Selima and the Merfolk book launch and all the support it took to make it successful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

For more photos of the event please visit my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.716696675143536.1073741834.186085661537976&type=3

All photos by Louis Ramdhanie/Spawn Software Designs