Hayley Autobiography 'In her own voice'

[postscript]

Wow! 33pages on this subject!

An interesting worrrying or exciting news point.

For the simple reason of convenience and the fact this bookshop supports our Graham Greene annual festival, I ordered this from the local Waterstone's, last weekend.

I anticipated to recieve it this week in time, were I able to make it, for this Saturday's concert at Croydon. I was telephoned yesterday to be told the publisher was waiting for stocks which they would not receive until 6th December.

Unfortunately, I paid for it in advance, so I am stuck. The question this poses is: has it been so successful they are reprinting already? However, a reprint so early could also be they under-estimated demand and printed too few in the first place.

But, we are dealing with Virgin, not known for small-time thinking, yet I have not seen any publicity about the book and I was surprised it was not on view in Waterstone's shop front.

So, what does this tell us? Too small a print run? Or a decent print run and she's doing well?

I appreciate Amazon may have stock, I haven't checked, but publishers can be perverse in their relationships with bookshops on the basis of regular sales levels inviting preferential treatment.

Anyone else any knoweldge to throw in? Do we know the actual print run--sorry, I haven't had a look through this thread yet.

Peter S.

[gerard]

In Dublin, I found two copies in Waterstones, and two copies in Hodges Figgis, both in Dawson Street and priced €25.15. I also found two copies in Dubray Books in Grafton Street priced €26.15. I enquired in Easons and they had not even got it listed !

[dazza]

Hi Everyone,

Being stuck in a hotel room last night, with no internet and nothing on TV I had chance to finally finish this book.

I thought that it was fantastic and I really enjoyed reading it. At the end it is hard to believe that Hayley is only 20, she has done so much and achieved so much already. It is easy to see why she had to write this book when she is still so young.

It was great hearing Hayley's own thoughts on growing up and her rise to being an international singer and how it all seemed natural progression to her, she comes across as very honest and down to earth.

I think that it can also be a very inspirational book, not just to young singers, but to any young person, Hayley's outlook on life and her attitude towards her work is very refreshing, she is a perfect role model.

I have read many autobiographies and of those that I have read, Hayley is is the youngest person, yet her book is up there with the best, for me, that speaks volumes.

Dazza

[Stephany]

Hi Dazza,

Thank you for your interesting comments. What a nice way to end up your weekend after a concert of All Angels

dazza said:

I think that it can also be a very inspirational book, not just to young singers, but to any young person, Hayley's outlook on life and her attitude towards her work is very refreshing, she is a perfect role model.

I second that wholeheartedly. Hayley and I are the same age and yet, I look up to her and consider that she is a real role model. I obviously can't do what she did, but I can understand her determination and dedication and do my best to replicate this with my own life.

Before hearing about UNICEF and Hayley's Bikes for Ghana, I also already had a great interest in helping people who haven't got the chance to have a 'normal' life. After reading her comments on her trip to Ghana, I understand how important it is to make a difference even if it's just a drop in the ocean. We can't change the world but if we can improve the life of one or two people, why not do so? This summer, I'm hoping to go to my country of origin, Cambodia, to help. I can tell you that my decision was largely influenced by Hayley!

Stephany

[Mark]

Hi Dazza

Well done for finishing the book. I agree with your comments - I too have read alot of autobiographies over the years and apart from Hayley's first book, the only other Ive read by a young writer is believe it or not, C.C. Not her latest book, the one I read was written whilst she was still very young I hasten to add

Best wishes
Mark

[dazza]

Hi Mark,

That reminds me, I still need to get get the first book.

Stephany, I think that it is absolutely wonderful that you may be going to Cambodia to help out and the fact that your decision was influenced by Hayley just shows what a wonderful person and fantastic role model she is.

Dazza

[Dori]

Hi everyone....
i FINALLY got my hands on the book!!! Yes, i know i'm behind, but i'm already half way through it, and, i'm suffering from a soar throat, so it's good to have something nice to rea.
All i an say so far is that Hayley cracks me up!! She's a great writer, but, i find some of the little things she talks about - like her childhood - far more rewarding than the first book written about her.
Now i can finally join the conversation!
Almost....

Dori

[roger]

Hi Dori,

I am so pleased that you have the book and I agree with everything you say about it.

I hope your throat recovers quickly.

Roger

[Dori]

Hello Roger,
Well to be honest, i have to say (and i completely support her!!) i am absolutely shocked at how much Hayley has so far, voiced her opinion on Charlotte Church. It comes to show that she REALLY got fed up with the comparison, and now she is not scared to let the world know how she felt about it all these years!! I'm very impressed.
Almost there....

Dori :wink:

[martindn]

OK, So I'll have to get the book! I've been looking, and have yet to see a copy in any bookshop.

As for comparing Hayley with CC, it is an easy mistake to make. I made it myself, but that was before I heard Hayley sing. When I did hear her, it took only a few seconds to convince me that there is no comparison,or perhaps that it is rather like comparing a sunday league amateur football team with Manchester United!!!

Martin

[Tin]

Well finishing the book is not at all difficult, but getting it is. Is this book on such great demand? I actually had to order it from a local bookstore and waited for 16 days before I could have it. Probably I'm one of the few people who have this book in Hong Kong.

[Raymond]

Hello tinmeigut,

From which bookshop did you order the book? Is it expensive? Thx! I want to buy it too and I never thought I can order it from a Hong Kong bookshop!

Raymond

[Dori]

I finished the book lat night - took me two half days to finish. I would have finished it in one day if i hadn't been so busy!
What a lovely and cadid account on Hayley's life. I enjoyed it so much, and i learnt so much from her.

Dori

[Tin]

Dear Raymond,

I order the book in the Hong Kong Book Centre, situated in Central. Probably you know where it is. You can also try Swindon since I think it's a sister store of HK Book Centre. The price, well, was HKD 272 and they require $150 deposit.

[Stephany]

Hi everyone,

I just bought another copy of 'In her own voice' at HMV Manchester. There are still two copies left in the store but I was pleased to see that they already sold all the 9 or 10 copies they previously had.

I was mecanically turning the pages of the book and noticed that one of the HMV sellers was staring at me. I went to his cash desk and he said with a big smile 'Hayley Westenra...hehe very good choice - I'm a big fan of hers'. I was pleasantly surprised! We chatted a bit about Hayley and, as it was raining heavily outside, he prepared two huge bags to protect my book properly from the rain He was really nice and said he hoped I enjoy 'In her own voice'. I thanked him and went back home happy to have met another Hayley fan in Manchester.

Anyway, I now have another copy of Hayley's biography and I think it will be a great Christmas gift for one of my little cousins whose dream is to become a singer!

Stephany