Recently author Hazel Edwards undertook a ‘Skype an author’ session with New Zealand librarians. Hazel explains how the process felt:

Surreal Skype NZ Book Launch with NZ librarians

I felt a bit like a security camera. Surreal. I was an electronic participant-observer via web-cam  On the wall screen. f2m: the boy within was launched by Kevin Hague, Green MP, at 6pm. But it was 4 pm in Melbourne, and I was on the Skype web-cam from Melbourne.

Hazel on webcam from Melbourne

We’d had a practice two  nights earlier, luckily. Sorted the visual and sound problems. I could hear the enthusiastic crowd, and see some of them, and apparently they could see me on the big screen. Had to remember not to do anything embarrassing. But I couldn’t control where/what I could see.

Location of physical launch: Unity Books, 57 Willis Street, Wellington. New Zealand.

Thoughtful, witty and enthusiastic launcher NZ Launcher Kevin Hague Green MP’s Review, Green MP stressed how health issues were realistically covered in the novel.  Quotes proved he’d READ the book, thoroughly!

But I only ever heard his melodious voice, never saw his face, because the web cam was fixed.

Ditto for my co-author’s eloquent launch speech & the bookseller. Plus they had rich NZ accents.

So I felt rude, not to be looking into people’s eyes, nor acknowledging each by name. I could hear the rustles of appreciative response from the big crowd and see some of them. Not sure how many more were there outside my field of vision.

Distanced, but observing the fabulous buzz in the room. On a technological high, I realised I could take a book crowd snapshot via Skype. So I did. But I was facing the wrong way and they were moving off to form a queue to get their copies autographed by Ryan. And they sold ALL the copies!

Congratulations to my co-author Ryan Kennedy. A fabulous book launch.

Summing up:

A satisfying artistic and electronic experience. Plus:  Saves time and money. I didn’t have to fly to New Zealand. And I could keep working my computer while I waited for them to set up. Downside: I had to settle for toasting in virtual champagne.