ABOUT THE PRESENTATION 🎤 Book “May Ann”

Today I’m going to tell you about the publishing day of my first book, “May Ann”.

After uncertain Spring days with many dark clouds, some rain, and cold, June 13th arrived cheerfully, with a hot sun and a wonderful blue sky. Certainly, a forecast of a good day for a special event! With nerves on edge, I woke up early and without much appetite. I paced around the house until it was time to get ready… I dressed, put on makeup, and my sister Tânia Lacerda helped me with my hair.

We left early towards the 94th Lisbon Book Fair at Parque Eduardo VII. There, we walked among the various bookshop and publisher stands until we reached mine: Edições Toth. There, the editorial coordinator, Nuno Oliveira, showed me my book “May Ann”. It was the first time I saw the book in physical form… What a feeling! Such emotion! To see the story I created printed on those pages, to leaf through and feel the grammage of the paper, run my fingers over the smooth cover, and appreciate the colours in perfect harmony with the period patterns.

The first sale of the first edition was made to the bookstagrammer Filipa Morgado @filipa__morgado! Even before the presentation, before the book was officially for sale. I wrote her a dedication, signed the book, and gave her a little gift I had prepared for those purchasing the book. Off she went, in her white dress embroidered with black flowers, so reminiscent of a period dress, to sit in the front row. How lovely! It was a pleasure to meet her.

Soon after, Beatriz Oliveira, the bookstagrammer @livros_que_sentem, who would be moderating my presentation, arrived. She looked beautiful in her long dress in shades of pink and mint green! We hadn’t met before; we were introduced in the context of my book presentation by my publisher, but the feeling we had was as if we had known each other for a long time! More than the pleasure of having this wonderful person with me to present my book “May Ann”, was the birth of this friendship.

The ticking of the clock matched the beating of my accelerated heart, just a few minutes until the event began. We heard the loudspeaker of the Lisbon Book Fair announce: “At two o’clock, the launch of the book ‘May Ann’ will take place, with the presence of the author Margarida Lacerda (…)”. Wow! What a privilege. My book and my name announced, for everyone to hear…

In the distance, I saw that there were already many people seated in the North Auditorium, where the launch of my book would take place. The tension grew, both mine and Beatriz’s. As the opening of the presentation, my dear friend Catarina Padinha would sing the opera aria ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’ and, like any other star, she was slightly late. All valid reasons! She had gone to warm up her voice with her singing teacher, João Costa Campos. She arrived, as expected, looking stunning, and she did brilliantly! Once again, as expected. What pride to see that girl sing, it’s an emotion that sends shivers down my spine.

And it was in this spirit that I began the presentation: “even with this heat, it gives me chills!”. I sat with Beatriz and, in front of all those people, we introduced my book “May Ann” to the world. You may have seen the microphone tremble a bit, the voice falter, and papers fly…! But throughout the presentation, I gained confidence speaking to the audience; after all, I was talking about a topic that is so close to my heart, the book I wrote with so much care, my baby, as Beatriz said, and which is finally available for anyone who wants to read it.

And how wonderful it was to see family and friends there, but also people I didn’t know at all, just to see the presentation and get the book. After the presentation, we received applause, kisses, hugs, and I received a bouquet of flowers from my boyfriend, Fábio Guerreiro. After taking some photos to immortalise the moment, we went down to the Edições Toth stand where I signed and offered the little gifts I had brought for those who bought a copy.

Time passed so quickly that I didn’t even notice it passing. When I realised it, people were already leaving and the event was over. It was a sad feeling, like when a party that is so much fun comes to an end… “All that excitement, and now nothing more” — as a character from my favourite childhood cartoon, Barbie and the Rockers, used to say. In the weeks leading up to it, I exchanged countless messages and voice notes with Beatriz, we planned the presentation with all our dedication and dedication, a “race” that ended in a couple of hours.

But the feeling that remains is one of pride and happiness. Pride in the book I created and in myself for having achieved several goals to reach this day of the launch (and others that I will continue to surpass in this literary journey). And happiness in being able to share this work that I am so proud of with the world… I eagerly await the opinions and criticisms of those who have read it and, of course, hope it will be a success! I dream that one day it will be adapted into a miniseries or film… Who knows! As Tom Fitzgerald said: “If we can dream, we can also make our dreams come true”.

What awaits me after this presentation? More promotion of my book “May Ann”! I will be on a Literary Tour, as I call it, at various Book Fairs across the country, at presentations in fnacs, and other events! Stay tuned on social media to find out where I’ll be :)

If you haven’t got your copy of ‘May Ann’ yet, you can get it at the Book Fairs at the Rota do Livro stand (Edições Toth) or through Wook, Bertrand and Fnac. For more information, you can visit my website: **www.margarida-lacerda.com**. I would love to hear what you think of my novel! :D

WOOK: https://www.wook.pt/livro/may-ann-margarida-lacerda/30128813

BERTRAND: https://www.bertrand.pt/livro/may-ann-margarida-lacerda/30128813

FNAC: https://www.fnac.pt/May-Ann-Margarida-Lacerda/a11988739