Dinner at the Reform Club with Sourcebooks

December 5, 2011

Last night, I was lucky enough to attend a dinner with some of the other British Sourcebooks authors at The Reform Club in Pall Mall, London. It was hosted by Dominique Raccah, the CEO of Sourcebooks, the US publisher of my LBD books including Carrie Goes off the Map.

The Reform Club was founded in 1836 for those who pledged support for the Great Reform Act of 1832 and it was the political headquarters of the Liberal Party.

The club isn’t associated with any political party now and serves a purely social function – like holding a dinner for around a dozen very happy authors including Francesca Simon, Jane Odiwe, Helen Hollick, Elizabeth Chadwick, Amanda Grange, Ali Macnamara, Monica Fairview, Erica James, Wendy Holden, James Forrester, Gabrielle Klimm – and me!

The club was made famous by the book, Around the World in Eighty Days. More recntly, the fencing scene between Pierce Brosnan, Toby Stephens and Madonna (from Die Another Day) was filmed here.

The day started when I got a cheap first class rail ticket to London. It wasn’t quite what I expected but it was a treat to lounge around in an almost-empty carriage eating biccies and Virgin Rail tea. Oh, the luxury…

Then I was collected from Euston and taken for more tea and crumpets at Duckface’s house and met her gorgeous little toddler, Harry. I want to thank Duckface for running me all over London, she drives like a cabbie and thought nothing of chauffering me down a heaving and very Christmassy Oxford Street to the Reform Club.

Dinner was served in the Strangers Room. We had game terrine, halibut in lobster sauce and pecan pie accompanied by champagne, wines and hand made truffles. Dominique gave a very upbeat, rallying speech about Sourcebooks – such a change to hear some good publishing news. 🙂
Here are some photos courtesy of Monica Fairview, who also has a report on her blog.

PS Carrie Goes off the Map is featured book on the British Book Babes Facebook page – you can win one of three copies by telling us your favourite destination right now.

Comments

1. On December 5th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
   ChrisCross53 Says:
   

   There;s posh for you – love the pix, and it sounds as if you had a wonderful time.

2. On December 5th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
   Jane Odiwe Says:
   

   It was lovely to see you, Phillipa! What a fab time we had!

3. On December 5th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
   Debs Says:
   

   Sounds a very exciting evening. Looks fabulous too.

4. On December 5th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
   Monica Fairview Says:
   

   It was really lovely. Good positive energy and delicious pecan pie!

5. On December 5th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
   Monica Fairview Says:
   

   I haven’t seen Around the World in 80 Days, which is shameful since I love Pierce Brosnan and I really had fun with the David Niven version of the book. And now I have an extra reason to watch the film. Ooooh!

6. On December 5th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Monica – Pierce is in Die Another Day fencing with Toby Stephens
   

7. On December 5th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
   Duckface Says:
   

   Hey Pip
   So much fun seeing you. Come and visit us again soon
   DF x

8. On December 5th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
   Helen Hollick Says:
   

   so lovely to all meet up – and wasn’t dinner scrumptious?
   Thank you Dominique – and good luck with the book Phillipa!

9. On December 5th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
   Amanda Grange Says:
   

   Wasn’t it a brilliant evening? Now it’s back down to earth with a bump!