By Anita Garner
I’m in the book tour thinking stage, which happens before book tour planning, which happens before publication, which happens next year. Of course I’ll go to the Deep South first – my stories move from the South to Southern California. Then an East Coast swing and other places to combine book talks with friend and family visits.
Then I must take The Glory Road to England. I’ve never been. I try not to be jealous of colleagues who work there, with their Abbey Road recording sessions, but I am.
What if there’s a combination bucket list trip/book tour? If that could happen, I’d stay a few weeks, rent a place near London transportation. Something cozy. A comfy bed and a small kitchen, a coffee maker for me and a window to watch tea drinkers go by.
One really should have high tea at The Ritz. Or Claridges. Or the Dorchester. Business-related, of course, with much talk of books and such. Then on to seek inspiration at places I’ve had crushes on for ages, places that have more to do with shows I watch and books I read.
Notting Hill, because it’s photogenic and of course Hugh Grant’s in the movie. If I go into that famous bookstore of his I’ll say it’s work-related.
Holland Park, Jean Hardcastle’s home from As Time Goes By
Cornwall. Port Isaac. Doc Martin would never forgive me if I didn’t stop in the village.
Lake District. The scenery.
Then there’s Highclere castle. Downton and all.
And two very Austen-centric stops, Chawton House, the manor where Jane’s brother, Edward, lived, and Jane Austen House, where she sat by her own window to write.
Friends have moved to Ireland, Scotland, Wales and surely I should stop and say hello. Back in London, I’ll need to check on performing friends In the theatre district.
If time permits, perhaps watch Nigella Lawson tape one of her cooking shows or maybe Mary Berry will show me how to make one of her proper trifles from Great British Baking Show.
My Mother’s people, the Salisburys, were from England. Daddy’s people were from Wales. And getting back to book business, I’m in touch with UK fans of the music my parents recorded, rockabilly mixed with gospel mixed with country and blues and I hope to meet some of those fans.
Everyone says of course you must scoot over to Paris because it’s so close. Work, work, work.
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