2009 Book Launches

The Independent out of the UK had a recent article which was subtitled: “…a look back at a year of surprisingly fancy book launches, international incidents, hip-hop Hamlets, schlockbusters, flopbusters and outsize blockbusters.”

I expected some “over the top” launches, but I guess the British are more refined than the US, even in their “schlockbustes.” There was, however, this:

In January, at Twickenham, Mills & Boon celebrated its new series of "Rugby Romances" with champagne, long-stemmed roses and waiters in bow ties, teeny tiny rugby shorts and, um, nothing else….

There seemed to be several duds, like:

Glen David Gold promised to make good on his promise to dress up in a French maid's outfit and serve tea to everyone at his publisher, Sceptre, in return for missing his deadline for Sunnyside. (As the year ends, I'm told, he's still to get his feather duster out.)

The festival was seemingly marred by Geraldine Bedell-gate, the author claiming that her novel The Gulf Between Us had been banned because it involved a gay relationship. But it turned out that the festival merely hadn't invited her.

Ah well, not all book launches can feature wizards or whip toting strippers.

What have you done to make your launch memorable?