Lisa Goll claims that ‘BookMachine is the most fun you can have in publishing with your clothes  on’. How great is that? Here she reports from her first party.

There are a lot of things you expect from publishing events, BookMachine delivers only the best bits. New to this event, I anticipated a low-key affair. I got the shock of my life when I arrived to see the venue swamped by their popularity, with scores of their loyal devotees talking, laughing and drinking like it was doomsday’s last orders.

I can’t lie; as a newcomer, it was a little daunting, but everyone was so kind that it wasn’t that way for long. With a couple of nods here and smiles there, I was happily enveloped by a nearby group where conversation was fascinatingly eclectic. It makes a refreshing change from similar events where it’s all so cliquey, insular or socially corrupt that you leg it after the first glass.

Lively crowd, great venue and seamless organisation, by Laura and Gavin, go into making this one of the best publishing events I’ve attended in an age. In fact, I believe BookMachine is the most fun you can have in publishing with your clothes on.”

Lisa Goll (@LisasShare), host of London Writers’ Café