Friday 27 May 2011

Getting ready for Hay...




Very much hoping to meet some of you on Tuesday; whether bright and early at 9am, when I will be in the Oxfam tent with Hannah Rothschild, or at 10.30 in the Telegraph tent (more of an informal chat going on there), or at 2pm at How The Light Gets in, where I will be talking about the philosophy of fashion and art with Professor Ulrich Lehmann.
A confession: I'm feeling quite nervous -- will anyone come to see me (there's so much else going on at Hay), and what about the logistics of how to get where, and when, and so on and so forth. Anxiety dreams brewed last night, after the midnight thunderstorms.
Anyone got any good advice?

13 comments:

Bette said...

Of course people will come! Your work is so interesting. Book festivals attract really nice audiences, too. Good luck! I wish I could go. If you come to Edinburgh book festival I certainly wouldn't miss it. As mums say - just be yourself!

Justine Picardie said...

The best advice -- thank you. Sadly, I'm not coming to Edinburgh this year, much as I would have liked to. I've spoken there a couple of times before, with previous books, and always enjoyed it...

jaywalker said...

I would definitely come and see you, Justine and I'm sure many others will. I've just looked at the program and I am raging with envy! If you get the chance will you please tell Kevin MacLeod that I am in love with him, and Vanessa Redgrave that I still have wonderful memories of seeing her on stage in 1991, and Melvyn Bragg that I went to a debate he chaired on feminism in 1992 and wanted to run off with him. Just joking of course, but what a wonderful line up you're joining.

I do sometimes wish my parents hadn't chosen to migrate here.

enid said...

Justine of course people will come to see you. Breathe deeply say a mantra and I am sure you will be great. I am still waiting for confirmation re back garden do on the 21st.

jaywalker said...

enid - I will be there. We arrive in London from Oz on the 20th. Justine has sent me details of time and place and I'm sure she will contact you when she gets back from Hay. Where do you hail from?

enid said...

I am South African from Cape Town and looking forward to the event with lots of excitement

Tricia said...

You were brilliant at 5x15 - no notes! This time you'll be having a chat about what you already know. You'll be fine - it will be excellent.

jaywalker said...

Me too - wonder who the mystery guest will be? Lots of photos will have to be taken!! Very exciting.

Justine Picardie said...

In Wales, en route to Hay, and have had bracing walks, crab sandwiches, and delicious chocolate ice-cream -- all v. good remedies for pre-Hay nervousness, though still beset by anxiety dreams last night.

Sam :) x said...

It sounds like you know your subject so relax, enjoy, take a few deep breaths before followed by even breaths throughout - lots of luck, you'll be fine :)

Bethan Jane Kitchen said...

Hi Justine,
Thanks so much for your talk on Coco Chanel at Hay last week.. it was favourite session of the week! I also thought I'd let you know that I haven recently been required to start writing a play as part of a qualification I'm doing.. and have been searching for something interesting and about which I am really passionate. Chanel has always been a great inspiration for me as a young woman and I'm deeply interested in her life and work. Anyway, following your talk, you inspired me greatly to perhaps write something based around the time of the war in which she lived, and her unusual role within this. I'm very excited at such a prospect and can't wait to begin, and thought I'd let you know that you had a key element in me deciding such :) I'd love to hear any ideas or thoughts you have and hope you may be able to eventually take some time out of your i'm sure extremely busy schedule to perhaps read or even see my play when its completed (a long shot I know but if you don't ask then you'll never know eh?)
Thanks,
Bethan Kitchen, 17, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Anonymous said...

You had nothing to worry about at all. You were brilliant. I especially loved the story about finding the crumpled tissue in the suit pocket! I think I actually got chills! Thanks for a lovely talk.

Ross said...

I so wanted to go, but due to work I couldn't, I hope for the next one I can go.
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