It’s not the first time I’ve been to the London Book Fair, but it is the first time I’ve exhibited. Doesn’t that sound grand? Actually I have two books worth of shelf space on a shared stand with loads of other IPG members, still it’s a start. (J200 if you at the fair, come along and say hello we’re the lot standing in the passageway with a wall of books behind us). If people who made appointments with me turned up, it would be a better start (they know who they are) but I am learning to hide my disappointment (huge exhausted sob).

I did manage one meeting today, with a lovely woman (hi, Ivanka) looking to sell rights to French graphic novels. I am quite – excited? tempted? – by one.

It will be interesting to see whether the fair keeps its momentum going through the three days (I don’t think my momentum is going to last the course, I’m shattered! At least I’ve only got one meeting planned for Wednesday)The events are thoroughly oversubscribed at the moment, with standing room 5 deep at the back of the talks in the Author Lounge, and the English Pen Literary Cafe, 5 deep all down the sides as well, William Boyd was revealing the lowdown of his new James Bond novel, Solo.

Tomorrow I am meeting a Romanian distributor of (mainly) Sci Fi and a Portuguese book mail-catalogue courtesy of UKTI, and some booksellers in the UK.