Day 2459 - The Cheer Chick Charlie Book Release Party, Gold Coast

It's party time!

Today was the day we had the national release party for Cheer Chick Charlie Book 8: Let's Do This!

I think it's safe for me to say, it was fantastic!




Invites went out to our Fan Club members and then to cheerleading squads attending the Aussie Gold International Cheer and Dance Championships who were in the Cheer Chick Charlie age group.

Book 8 is set on the coast so the party had to have a coastal theme and it seems fitting that since my original fans were all cheerleaders, that I continue to nurture and thank the cheer community for embracing the series.

The cheerleading event on the Gold Coast was the perfect choice of venue.

The party was not only to celebrate the book release, but to say thanks to the kids who read my work.

To create a beach theme we decorated the author table with shells, coastal greenery, frangipani leis and miniature sea turtles in keeping with the books story-line.

We also included Charlie merchandise with the new book taking prime position, matching postcards, motivational wristbands and hair bows.  To add some dimension we put a few of the postcards into frames which we later gave away as prizes. To add some fun I threw a few sparkly stars around the table and some lollies.

From a food point of view the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre catered with mini cupcakes, brightly coloured lamingtons (in the colours of my books) and fresh seasonal fruit.

Luckily they suggested I put bollards up to rope off my area and to keep the fans orderly during the signing process.  I didn't think this was necessary, but it turns out it was.  I had fans lining up from 11.45 for the midday start which took me by surprise.

Charlie made an appearance at the event which was super cool and she not only had her photo taken with fans but also signed a few books too.

I signed a heap of books and also signed my first cheer bow as well as the leg of a Cheer Chick Charlie doll.  She's tattooed! Eeek.

Fans entered the draw to win prizes which we drew an hour or two after the signing event.  They won a combination of Charlie merchandise and book signing decorations (the leis, photo frames and turtles).

The whole launch only went for around 30-40 minutes.  Well, closer to an hour if you count the early start. But the book signing continued on and off for the rest of the day.

It was pretty hectic! Probably the best book release event so far.

Gooooo Charlie!