“Pauline’s Bajan Adventures is a brand new book written and published by Pauline Rouiller, a young French writer and explorer, who discovers just how vibrant and different life can be in Barbados. She looks at the world through the lens of a young professional hoping to improve her international marketability with an English language course in sunny landscape of the island. The book travels a course from her decision to travel all the way through to her course completion and beyond with numerous incredibly memorable moments in between. Experience the wonders and amazing elements of Barbados through her depictions of public transportation, liming, cultural samplings, crop over and much, much more. Her stories are for Bajans and travelers alike and will have you laughing, nodding, and sometimes shaking your head as you easily identify with each situation. The book is laid out with colorful photographs on each page that help capture the humour and magic of her stories. Pauline has a keen observational eye and the reader is richly rewarded from start to finish with this delightful book.”

Sounds good, no? This paragraph makes me want to buy my own book!
Now that you know what my publication is about, I have to tell you about the launch that was held at the Morningside Gallery, Barbados Community College.

I had booked the venue months in advance to make sure my book would have a proper welcoming party for its birth. It also kept me motivated through the hurdles I encountered on the way to self-publishing. Indeed, knowing nothing about the field, I have jumped into the project on my own, and have overcome the sponsoring, printing, editing, marketing steps.

The location also had a special meaning for me, as the BCC is where I started my Bajan Adventures, learning English as a Foreign Language at the Language Centre.

With a few hundred copies printed locally by Cole’s printery (best quality found after sharp research) in my car, I’m ready to launch “Pauline’s Bajan Adventures”!

I wanted the event to be as fun and tasty as my stay in Barbados has been. What made my experience of Bimshire so happy? The people !

I asked local characters, special to me, to bring their talent and good vibe to the event.
Follow me!

La Cuisine Gourmande serving fancy delicacies to greet you. French music played to send you in a different world. Mount Gay Rum sponsoring the bar, offering typical refreshments.

Ultimate Cupcake by Intimate Catering sweetening the entrance of the Gallery; Alicia Alleyne, contemporary Bajan Artist exhibiting my favorite pieces of her collection; Evolve, creative shirts brand showcasing their latest design & Japanese Caterer “Okaeri” selling much appreciated sushi at the corner.

The most exciting stories of the book, full sized, on the Gallery walls.

What? I’m on Bajan time. The whole set up took longer than expected, as expected.

As soon as I came back, ready, from the “backstage“, I was thrown on to the microphone, by Erica Hinkson’s side, the Book Source Marketing Manager.

As the distributor of the book, she presented the company and interviewed me.

In a very interactive way, some people came to the mic to ask their questions. “Why have you decided to publish a book? What was your biggest culture shock? What is coming next after this book?”

The need for sharing my experience in such a far away world with my family and friends back home was the first reason why I started writing (on a blog). Bringing a different view about the island for Barbadians (through stories published in the newspaper) was the second motivation that led me to publishing a book.

I had my most traumatic stories in young people parties.

Thinking about travelling some more to write other fun adventures in other countries. Here were some answers. Then I signed copies of the book for the first time of my life. This was the best reward I could have dreamt of.

For further info, please come to the different Book Source events you can also visit paulinesbajanadventures.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/PaulinesBajanAdventures for facebookers.

• Pauline Rouiller