I can't be the only person who hears the phrase "book launch", and thinks "Free Food! Free Wine! Free Books! Free Goodie Bags!" Not, it would appear, if it's Creation Book's launch of Marc Almond - Adored and Explored, a book of photographs by Jamie McLeod with text by Jeremy Reed.

No, in that case the phrase "book launch" means expensive bottled lager, no canapés, no freebies, and a table in the corner flogging copies of the book. Still, the venue - AKA Bar in London's glittering West End - is cool, with excellent music and funky loos (swish cottages?). It was fun watching punters stride confidently up to the bar, then hesitate, and reach into their back pockets for print-outs of the emailed invite, thinking "I'm sure it said there would be free drink!"

The subject of the book did not turn up, as he was performing across town at Brixton Academy with Soft Cell. No doubt Jonathan will have the details.