Hard relate. I'd have been there as a kindred imposter and awkward person daring to sneak out of my class lane, but the heat kept me at home. It was 7 degrees hotter in London that day than where I live so I bailed.
This made me laugh more than once (also think I may have stayed in the same delightful hotel for my one-time-appearance at my own publisher's summer party so perhaps I don't belong, either)
This is brilliant, Adam. I reckons Stuart Maconie deffo has all the answers and we should befriend him. Also, I am an embarrassing over-thanker, so I feel your pain.
This is great, funny AND reassuring… I have been to a few TLS parties now, but the nerves are still there. Welcome to Substack, Adam!
I'm glad it was relatable. I'm pretty sure these parties are 98% people who believe they have somehow snuck in and will soon be found out.
Love everything about this
Hard relate. I'd have been there as a kindred imposter and awkward person daring to sneak out of my class lane, but the heat kept me at home. It was 7 degrees hotter in London that day than where I live so I bailed.
I'm glad I went but bloody hell, the heat. Meeting Juno Dawson was just about worth with the vomiting that followed.
I once fanboyed Juno in Brighton. She's fab.
Newland Avenue or Cottingham Road? I taught at Hull College until 1989....
It was the Riley Centre on, I think, Anlaby Road. The one that used to be a school with a bad reputation.
Ha yes! I remember that. It was a sort of craft school for boys at one time.
I taught someone called Paul Farrer at one point….
This made me laugh more than once (also think I may have stayed in the same delightful hotel for my one-time-appearance at my own publisher's summer party so perhaps I don't belong, either)
It's amazing what paying half the cost of a Premier Inn will get you (a dribbling shower and a kettle with a broken thermostat).
This is brilliant, Adam. I reckons Stuart Maconie deffo has all the answers and we should befriend him. Also, I am an embarrassing over-thanker, so I feel your pain.