Book Launch Party
On 10th May, I hosted a book launch party for my memoir, ‘Unashamed: Why do people pay for sex?’ After almost two years of hard work, sacrifice and numerous setbacks, finally it was time to mark the occasion and celebrate with my nearest and dearest! Knowing how hard I worked at bringing my book to life, the challenges that I faced and the sacrifices I made along the way, it was hugely important to me to mark this major milestone event.
There had been quite a build up to the evening so naturally, I began to feel quite nervous in the moments just before the guests arrive. But celebrating with my close friends who had supported me along the way was hugely important. This event wasn’t just about me, it was also about showing gratitude to my friends in person and voicing support for sex workers, survivors of domestic violence and anyone dealing with shame.
It was an intimate event, just as I had hoped. The venue itself was a private dining room at Manicomio; a charming Italian restaurant in the heart of Chelsea. With the sun (finally!) beating down on London and with a backdrop of Fuschia pink, candlelight and ‘Elizabeth G.’ goodie bags, the guests rolled in one by one.
In the build-up, I had spoken to my therapist of my anxieties of being around alcohol and my concerns of being tempted to break my sobriety. That conversation certainly had a positive impact. When the evening came, I was running on adrenaline and feeling ‘high on life’ just ecstatic that I was finally out celebrating. The variety of mocktails that I had chosen certainly helped; the elderflower, apple juice and rosemary mocktail was also popular with the boozers. I was able to enjoy the evening without wanting to totally obliterate myself. It was an evening that I wanted to remember for many years to come.
GC Corture designed my cake which was a real showstopper: a delicious white chocolate and raspberry flavour made into the style of my book. It proved to be very popular. The catering itself provided by Manicomio was divine! Languostine arancini, homemade focaccia and tiramisu were all firm favourites.
So much love filled that room. In that small space amongst that intimate group of friends, the one thing that I shall remember for years to come, is the love that I felt from everyone who came to support me. Goodness knows, I had faced numerous backlashes and lost friends over my honesty about being a sex worker. But the ones who remained, the ones who stood by me regardless of my profession, the ones who cheered me on and the ones whose loving words had me in tears, those are the ones that I refer to as my ‘little treasures.’
I felt it important to reaffirm to my guests the reasons for me writing the book and make my mission crystal clear once again, ‘I adopted a Suffragette-like mentality’ I told them. Putting it out to the universe once again, ‘I want to let sex workers know that it’s ok for us to exist.’ Of course, I couldn’t have given a speech without giving gratitude to my closest friends. The ones who had been there for me through it all, in good times and in bad. They had been such an integral part of my journey and I needed to make that known, ‘I am so grateful for your love and support. It has nourished my soul and encouraged me to keep moving forwards and fight for the cause.’
The love, the support, the belly full of cake and arancini, the memories will forever remain engraved on my mind for years to come.
Comments are closed.