Paris frocks up for A Town Like Paris launch

Just wanted to share with you some of the preparations for the Paris launch of A Town Like Paris.

With a little bit of help from my friends at The Lido, and thanks to the indulgence of the good folk at WH Smith on the Place de la Concorde, the main window of this venerable English-bookstore-in-Paris has been transformed into an ATLP shrine.

Costumes from a former Lido stage show have been brought in to add a bit of Parisian glamour to proceedings as we gear up here in the City of Light for the big launch event on December 13.

If you happen to be in Paris on the evening of Thursday December 13 and want to drop in to say hello - or meet one of the Lido dancers who will attending (in costume, no less) - please feel free to do so. Numbers will be limited, so be sure to RSVP by sending an email to books@whsmith.fr.

The Showgirl is dusting off her glad rags in anticipation, the Thompson Estate wine is chilling as we speak and every Parisian ex-pat and his or her dog is shaping up to join the throng. It should be quite a night.

Paris Book Launch - Thursday December 13

Hello people,

Back in Pareeee after three weeks touring the homeland launching and promoting the book. It all went swimmingly. Some great in-store events, a champagne-soaked launch soirée in Sydney, a couple of book signings and a whole lot of media interviews. Lucky I never tire of talking about myself ;)

Now that the book has been well and truly launched in Australia, it's time to give it a good ol' launch event here in Paris.

The good folk at WH Smith - the English bookstore on Rue de Rivoli, near the Place de la Concorde - have kindly offered to host the launch soirée, my new best friends at Thompson Estate Wines are very kindly providing alcoholic refreshment on the evening and the Lido de Paris have come to the party with the provision of a handful of Lido dancers for the event and a special two-for-the-price-of-one voucher to see the Lido revue for every book launch attendee. Oh - and I will be there signing books, with the Showgirl in tow.

All in all, it's shaping up to be quite the shin-dig. And you are all cordially invited to attend.

For those of you who live in Paris, or those of you passing through in the weeks leading up to the book launch, be sure to check out the "A Town Like Paris" window display at WH Smith that the creative types at the Lido are creating - using old Lido costumes and assorted other glamorous bits and pieces.

WH Smith are also taking pre-orders for the book - for those of you who wish to reserve a copy. Visit www.whsmith.fr.

Details for the Paris book launch:

Thursday December 13
7.30pm
WH Smith - 248 rue de Rivoli, 75001, Paris
Nearest metro: Concorde

RSVP: books@whsmith.fr or 01 44 77 88 99

Look forward to seeing you there!