Pearsons profits up 3%
This morning I gave a talk to 300 employees at Pearson. Just before I left the house, I read a news story saying that Pearsons profits this year had gone up 3%, thanks in part to bestselling authors like Jamie Oliver and Jane Green. Who, I wanted to know, did they have to pay to plant that story on the day of my talk.
I do love giving these talks. Interesting to watch my earlier talks, like the one at Google (on YouTube), well before I’d refined my ‘act’, when I didn’t understand exactly what it is an audience expected from me, and just spoke, randomly, about not very interesting things.
Now I realise that preparing a speech is exactly like doing material for a stand-up comedy act. You want to make people laugh, and you want to make them think. You want them to want to read your books, connect with you not just as an author giving a talk, but as a human being. The best way of doing that is by injecting some humor, some pathos, and some honesty.
So a large thank you to Rick, to Keri and to Shannon for organising and working so hard - the signings were fantastically organised with some sort of ticket system that seemed terribly complicated and must have taken someone an awful lot of time to work out - people entered the ’signing cave’ in batches of 35, every fifteen minutes, bearing colored tickets.
My hand is still sore, but given that Jamie Oliver and I are so responsible for Pearson doing so well (they own Penguin, our publisher), I’m hoping that they will send over a bonus to send me off to a fancy Caribbean island to recover. In all honesty, they did present me with a gift voucher to Daniel Boulud, which was entirely unnecessary but hugely appreciated - I’m hoping Beloved and I might get into the city this weekend to use it.
A quick and final word about the debates. I truly thought, at one point, that steam might start pouring out of John McCain’s ears. I hope he doesn’t simmer with rage like that at home, or at least, I hope that when he does, Cindy vaporises him instantly with the laser death stare…
October 16th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
If your talks are anything like your blogs, you have nothing to worry about. You come across as a lovely, kind and funny person. That’s why we all come back here day after day and share personal things with you. (Well, I know I do…) You make me feel safe, you make me laugh and you seem to care about your readers. Thanks for that! x
October 16th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I enjoyed watching the talk on Google. I fast forwarded through the reading because I had already read the book, but I thought it was enjoyable and nice of Google to post that for all of us to enjoy! Please come to Denver, I know many of us would enjoy listening to what you have to say!
October 16th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Congratulations! Too bad they didn’t give you a meal at Jamie Oliver’s instead. I’m not sure if your comment form accepts hot links, but I’ll give it a try apropos McCain. This clip made me laugh:
http://www.mccainfreewhitehouse.org
October 16th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
We’d love to have you in Bethlehem, PA. We have the oldest book store in the country (or so they say) on Main St., the Moravian Book Shop. It is lovely!
http://www.moravianbookshop.com/
October 16th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Trish - what lovely words - thank you for making me smile…
October 17th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I just have to take this opportunity to say that I think Jamie Oliver is yummy, young but yummy, and not just in the food sense!
October 17th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Jane, no need for thanks. They are all true. After the support and your “unexpected delights” blog the other week, I’ve become a devotee of this site, not just your books. I’ve never been so lifted by strangers as I was back then, when I needed it most. Thanks again Jane. xx
October 17th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Just had time to sit and watch the google talk clip. Jane, you’re soooo British! For some reason, I didn’t think you’d have such a posh English accent. But you do occasionally slip in the odd American phrase or slight twang! People say I have assumed an English accent now and I can’t remember what’s English and what’s Canadian sometimes!
How long ago was this? xx
October 17th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Hi Jane,
Thank you so much for coming to visit us at Pearson. Everyone had such a great time and it was a wonderful turnout! I hope we get to see you next year! Thanks again for a great afternoon!
-Shannon
October 17th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Hi Jane,
Well it hardly seems like work when you get to spend your morning listening to, and meeting a famous author, but I consider myself lucky that I can!
Thank you so much for visiting us at Pearson, Shannon (I have to give her all the credit!) introduced me to your work, and I have to admitt, I’ve become addicted! Your talk was entertaining and refreshingly funny… which isn’t an easy task at 9am!!
Thank you again for an amazing morning!
Best,
Megan
October 20th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Jane -
Thanks for the blog shout out. That was unexpected - but a nice surprise. We loved having you at Pearson. It was a bright spot to our day. Hope you enjoyed Daniel Boulud - did you get the cheese tray?
Thanks!
Keri