The Horsepower Whisperer in Waterstones (Andover) - nearly
A friend of mine has ordered my book through Waterstones and is keeping me informed of his experience. To respect his privacy let's just call him Professor Peter Yarlett, lecturer emeritus in ferro-equinology and semi-retired head of the faculty of yeast culture and sandal making at the University of Andover.
Professor Pete ordered it on 6th Feb. This took twenty minutes because it was only the second time that the lady had ever ordered a book from a small press before.
He still hasn't got it yet, which is a shame because he's going into hospital this week and we both want to test the medicinal properties of The Horsepower Whisperer. It is a feel good book after all.
I said he would have been better off ordering it from Amazon but since he's a pensioner he's got to watch the pennies and is particularly conscious of postal costs.
Prof Pete tried to get Watersones to order some for stock. It's a little joke between me and my Andover mates that Andover and Dover are both on the map of Hob's journey back to Anarchadia.
I also suggested they might like to order some to put in the shop window with a sign saying "Tenuous local link" but the lady assistant didn't succumb to Prof Pete's compromising suggestions. Apparently, she'd only do that sort of thing for money. It seems that providing "bungs" to book stores to favour certain titles on display is accepted practice.
The conversation went something like this.
Prof P: He used to live in Andover
Lady assistant: Oh, that's interesting
Prof P: Yes, we both used to work in the same office at DLO
Lady assistant: Well I never.
Prof P: There's another book coming out shortly.
Lady assistant: Is there.
Prof P: Yes, The Wormton Lamb
Lady assistant: Is it only one copy you want.
Prof P: Yes, I'm a pensioner.
Lady assistant: Thank you, goodbye.
We both reckon she was a lesbian - not that we're the sort to (ahem) hold anything against Sapphic love, of course.
Professor Pete ordered it on 6th Feb. This took twenty minutes because it was only the second time that the lady had ever ordered a book from a small press before.
He still hasn't got it yet, which is a shame because he's going into hospital this week and we both want to test the medicinal properties of The Horsepower Whisperer. It is a feel good book after all.
I said he would have been better off ordering it from Amazon but since he's a pensioner he's got to watch the pennies and is particularly conscious of postal costs.
Prof Pete tried to get Watersones to order some for stock. It's a little joke between me and my Andover mates that Andover and Dover are both on the map of Hob's journey back to Anarchadia.
I also suggested they might like to order some to put in the shop window with a sign saying "Tenuous local link" but the lady assistant didn't succumb to Prof Pete's compromising suggestions. Apparently, she'd only do that sort of thing for money. It seems that providing "bungs" to book stores to favour certain titles on display is accepted practice.
The conversation went something like this.
Prof P: He used to live in Andover
Lady assistant: Oh, that's interesting
Prof P: Yes, we both used to work in the same office at DLO
Lady assistant: Well I never.
Prof P: There's another book coming out shortly.
Lady assistant: Is there.
Prof P: Yes, The Wormton Lamb
Lady assistant: Is it only one copy you want.
Prof P: Yes, I'm a pensioner.
Lady assistant: Thank you, goodbye.
We both reckon she was a lesbian - not that we're the sort to (ahem) hold anything against Sapphic love, of course.
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