James Frey in Singapore

This weekend best-selling author, James Frey, made an in-store appearance at Books Kinokuniya to promote his latest book Endgame: The Calling, so of course I had to be there to get my books signed.

His latest book is an action-packed apocalyptic thriller about the impending end of the world and its alien connection and that features codes that the reader will have to solve. The first person to solve the codes will get a key that unlocks a chest at Caesar's Palace  containing US$ 500, 000 in gold coins. 

Endgame is the first in a series of 3 books. The readers who solve the codes in the subsequent books will receive US$ 1 million and US$1.5 million respectively. Pretty awesome, no?

So during his discussion, Frey asked who believed in alien life and he said that I looked like I was a believer and of course I am. He then read an excerpt from the book before he began signing for a long line of fans.

As Chinese New Year is approaching, I brought along my book The Lion Dance for him as a souvenir and I inscribed it to his young daughter, Margot. And in return he signed my copies of Endgame and I am Number Four. Thanks, Mr Frey!

Book Launch for A Day with the Duchess

A week after we returned, Emma and I had back to back book launches at Books Kinokuniya. We were both very thrilled to say the least.

Erin, Sheri and Ilangoh with the help of our Kino friends promoted A Day with the Duchess via facebook and other social media, hoping to drum up some level of interest. Erin was in constant contact with me whilst I was in London, emailing ideas for activities for the children for the one hour launch.

As for goodies that the kids could take home with them, we had paper dolls of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a paper hamster on a stick and stickers, lots and lots of stickers!

I invited William, Vicky, Mikey and Alice Adeney whom I met when we were waiting for the Duke and Duchess at the Gardens by the Bay. Incidentally, the book is dedicated to Mikey and Alice and you can see their illustrated likenesses in the book.

At two a small group of children and parents had gathered and we started the reading session of the book kaunch. As Emma has a far nicer reading voice that I do, she graciously agreed to read the story for me.  And it's needless to say that she did a fantastic job!

After the reading we played a game with the kids. They had to guess the whereabouts of  Kate the Hamster and whoever found her would win a prize.

Quick thinking Alice, found her and for her efforts, she won a Kinokuniya voucher, a bespoke sketch of the Duchess of Cambridge signed by Soefara and the opportunity to be an illustrated character in the next Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di book.

Then Soefara did a drawing demonstration and she gave away two of her sketches before it was time for us to sign some books.

With that, our book launch was over and we had half and hour to get ready for Emma's book launch. Thanks to Emma, Soefara, Sheri, Ilangoh, Richelle and Erin for making this happen. Thanks to Mum, Auntie Susanna, Tilly, Kenneth, Simon, The Adeneys, Sarah, Linda, Tracy, Evelyn,  Dave, Jason, Jim, Edmund and everyone for coming out to support us.

Watch out for my next blog post on Emma's book launch. If you missed both our launches and you would like to attend  launches at the Asian Festival of Children's Content Just Click This Link to register.