Novel Kicks attends the launch of Raising Steam.

Pratchett launches his 40th Discworld novel on-board the Iron Girder.

We were very excited to be invited to the launch of Raising Steam, the latest novel by Sir Terry Pratchett and the 40th book in the Discworld series. On Friday 22nd November at 3pm sharp, we arrived at the Watercress Line at Alton Station where we were greeted by the billowing steam of the train that was to be the Iron Girder for the day.

On the platform stood Sir Terry, proudly wearing his train conductor’s hat. Soon after arriving, we all boarded the train where we would have afternoon tea of scones, jam, cream, a cup of tea and even a small glass of sparkling wine. We were even sat on the next table to the author himself. It was really the perfect way to help launch Raising Steam.

Once we got to Alresford, I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Sir Terry, who talked to me about how he studied the old Punch magazines (which he said helped with some of the dialects for his novels.)

Laura chats with Sir Terry.

We headed back through the countryside just as the sun was setting on the village of Alton. Overall, a great afternoon that I didn’t want to end. A huge thanks to Sir Terry Pratchett and the team at Doubleday.

To read Chris’s review of Raising Steam, click here.

To win a copy of Raising Steam (competition closes on Thursday 28th November 2013,) click here.

For information on The Watercress Line, click here.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.