The signing tour continued on Saturday, 30th of May, with a visit to Waterstone’s in my home town of Dunfermline, Scotland.
This event was a lot of fun as many of my friends and family turned up, including some friends I hadn’t seen in years! In addition to people I knew, I got the chance to talk to a lot of new faces about the book and my experiences since its release.
Waterstone’s did a great job promoting the event, having set up a table at the very front of the store. In other words, nobody could browse their extensive range of books without getting past me first! One staff member had even put their artistic skills to use, having drawn a really snazzy penguin on their promotional whiteboard to bring in passers-by and penguin-watchers!
No penguins were harmed during the event, but a small town in Fife will never be quite the same again.
It really was a fantastic event and I enjoyed catching up with old friends and sharing the book with new ones.
Missed the gig? The video below captures some of the highlights:
For the second time, I found myself at the impressive BBC Glasgow office. This time I had been invited to talk to Becky Want for Radio Manchester.
We discussed blagging and the book and I gave another reading of the Hovis poem. I wonder how many loafs of bread have been sold thanks to my book promotion campaign?
The interview was good fun although I was described as a Silly Billy and accused of being mean! I was even asked if I ever paid for my round at the pub. I explained that I did indeed buy a round, although I conceded that it only happened at gunpoint!
It was all in good fun, and I enjoyed talking to the good people of Manchester.
Posted by Spencey on Thursday May 28, 2009 Under Printed Press
For the second time in two weeks, I found myself in the Dunfermline Press. This time, however, rather than being interviewed specifically about the book, I was asked a number of quick questions for their ‘On the Spot’ feature. I spoke once again to top journalist Matt Meade and I rattled off answers to his questions, including:
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Something to reflect on
Who would you most like to invite over to dinner? Cookie Monster. Though I suppose I wouldn’t end up with many cookies
What would you do if you won the lottery? Buy a million lottery tickets as you never know when your numbers will come up
The article also highlights the book signing on Saturday at Waterstone’s Dunfermline 12 noon to 1pm.
Silly Beggar made it’s first television appearance this evening on the Richard and Judy Show.
Last week, after the Daily Mirror article came out, I was contacted by the producers of the show asking if they could fly me down to London to be interviewed. Of course, I jumped at the chance.
The format of the show is such that it has a main studio where Richard and Judy interview the big name guests, and a second studio known as the ‘Star Bar’ where a guest comedian interviews the other guests. In tonight’s show, legendary comic Rowland Rivron interviews yours truly.
It was great fun to record the show and an experience I will remember for a long time. Richard and Judy even gave me some expensive toiletries by way of thanks for appearing on the show. I do love a freebie.
The good news is, a reader who follows me on Twitter had the technical know-how to put the interview up on YouTube, so I will provide the link below. Enjoy!
The people of Ireland clearly have great taste, as I was invited to appear on another two Irish radio shows!
The first was the Red Rooster Show on Cork’s Red FM. This was a really fun interview with two very amusing hosts: KC & “Lenny from Blarney”! My part was phoned in using my mobile phone, so I hope the sound quality was good enough. I was asked what the ultimate blag would be, and I said that I would love to blag a holiday, somehow. I hate to think how much buttering up would be required to score a holiday, but I do love a challenge!
The second interview was for Dublin’s Phantom FM. This was a very relaxed interview with Roisin O’Dea about the Silly Beggar concept. I discussed the book’s penguin theme (obsession?). It amused me that when I looked up the station’s website to provide a link, I saw that I was billed thus: “Plus - we’ll be chatting to James Spence, author of “Silly Beggar”, who spent a year getting by on handouts.” I did? My memory must be getting worse! I love this ‘Chinese whispers’ description of the project!
Never let it be said that I’m not a man of my word (see previous post). This morning I was invited on to the Jamie and Louise Show on BBC Radio Wales. As with last week’s Irish radio interviews, I recorded my part in a BBC recording studio in Edinburgh. This was one of the longest interviews I have done - it even took a break half way through to play some music! This gave me time to break out some dance moves, although sadly the listeners were unable to see them.
Probably for the best.
As this was a BBC interview, I was asked to avoid mentioning company names as much as possible. Listening back, you might spot how tricky I found this, given that the book is all about writing to companies! I pretty much managed to avoid mentioning too many brand names, although I had no choice about mentioning Hovis and Starbucks as I was asked directly about them.
This was a fun interview and I’m thrilled that I can add Wales to list of countries I have broadcast to! Listen to the interview on the BBC iPlayer (my interview is about 38 minutes in).
Word of the Silly Beggar project has spread overseas to Ireland. I was interviewed on not just one, but two Irish radio stations! The first was on the national broadcasting corporation, RTE for the Dave Fanning Radio 1 show. Dave and I discussed the book in a light-hearted way, and I offered some blagging tips to his listeners. Listen again to Dave Fanning, RTE Radio 1
The second Interview was for Today FM, one of Ireland’s most popular commercial stations. This time I spoke to the Ray D’Arcy Show. I recorded my part in a BBC studio in Edinburgh this very morning. Unbeknownst to Ray who was recording his part in Ireland, Tiffany, my missus, joined me in the recording studio although she remained silent throughout, so you’d never know she was there. It can be our little secret.
So Scotland, England and Ireland have covered the story. Wales, I’m coming for you next!
Posted by Spencey on Thursday May 21, 2009 Under Printed Press
I was thrilled to find an article on Silly Beggar in my local newspaper, the Dunfermline Press, today. The article, written by readers’ favourite Matt Meade, came about after an enjoyable conversation. Following the interview, Matt had sent me some Dunfermline Press freebies which comprised of: 1 Pencil, 1 Dunfermline Street Map, and a DP Living Magazine. Matt’s article humorously suggests these are the worst items I received!
Most amusingly, Matt suggests that I may become the Godfather of a new blagging movement, revealing how one of my friends, a teacher, encouraged his class to try writing out to companies. He too experienced the thrill of the blag as his pupils received loads of lovely goodies.
As it is the local paper, the article also highlights the Book signing I have coming up on the 30th of May at Waterstones in Dunfermline.
As a direct result of the Daily Mirror article, I received a call from the Chris Evans Show on Radio 2, asking me to go on and talk about the whole Silly Beggar project.
My contribution to the show was a live phone-in, in which I spoke to none other than Rebecca Pike (aka The Fox)! She asked me what made me start this project and about the type of funny messages I had sent to companies. It feels weird knowing that I used the phrase “A deranged giraffe ate my t-shirt” on national radio.
I had been asked to read an email out, which I duly did, but in retrospect I possibly could have edited it down a bit. Oh well. They did ask!
Posted by Spencey on Tuesday May 19, 2009 Under Printed Press
An article about Silly Beggar appeared in the Daily Mirror this morning, under the headline “In the Blag…”
The article reads “Artful Cadger Reveals His Secrets” and focusses on the blagging element of the book. Playing off topical news stories about MPs getting things for nothing, the article begins “You don’t have to be an MP to get stuff without paying for it - you just have to ask nicely, or maybe pen a poem.”
The article highlights some of the best freebies that I received and even gives my Top Blagger Tips!
“Approach companies whose products you genuinely like and tell them why you’re a customer.
Save the cost of a stamp, go online and send an email. Most companies have a Contact Us button on their website.
Butter them up - you’ll be surprised how far a lot of unashamed flattery goes.
Do something to catch their attention - an elaborate story, a strange tale, a picture or a poem.
Say something funny. If you elicit a laugh you’re halfway on the road to getting a freebie. But at the same time try not to sound like you’re taking the mick.”
This is a great result. All the publicity up to this point has been through the Scottish media, so it great to think that a UK national paper has now run with the story.
I couldn’t ask for a better article with brilliant silly photos, which, um, Mirror the silliness of the book.
The signing tour continued on Saturday, 30th of May, with a visit to Waterstone’s in my home town of Dunfermline, Scotland.
