Well, what a day!  I got home about 6:30 AM, slept almost three hours, got up, picked up Ken McConnell from his hotel, and we navigated downtown Moscow on a Saturday morning for our book signing.  We got to the book store early, and they told us they still needed to set up.  We went to a bakery next door and got some breakfast, talked, and people watched.  During the summer and early fall, Moscow has the Farmer's Market, which fills downtown up nicely with people!  A band was playing in Friendship Square, kids were playing on the playset nearby or in the fountain across the street.  People were everywhere, most of them with dogs on leashes.  We didn't get to actually go to the market, but it does help the downtown businesses.

We made it back to the bookstore, where we read our stories to a  small, but kind, audience, and anyone else who was in earshot.  The audience members asked some very tough, good questions, to which we had no choice but to reply honestly:  "Um, I hadn't realy thought of it that way..."  But it went very well.  I have to say, the writer's grapevine worked very well for us.  I belong to one writer's group.  Some of the members belong to other writer's groups.  They did a wonderful job spreading the word to different groups, and the bookstore sold many copies!  I didn't even look to see how many copies were laid out for public inspection, but there were only two copies left when the event was over.  I don't know if the store owner had more copies in the back, but I think he sold over half of his inventory of Barren Worlds.

It was really nice to see friends there.  They were very supportive, and made me feel good.  Ken did his usual fantastic job, and the audience really enjoyed talking with him about his background, how he came up with the story, and the other projects he was working on (Starstrikers plug!!)

After we said our goodbyes and thanked the store owner, I dropped him off back at his hotel so he could start his drive home.  I got home myself about 2:30 PM, ate, and slept!  I crashed!  I got up about 7:30 PM, when the family tromped back into the house, and I was greeted with "Mom!  Can my cousin spend the night?"  Like I care, I have to work tonight!  Dad's problem!  :)  So the boys are plotting how they can stay up all night, despite our warnings to go to bed.

I think I even got some fan mail.  Kind of strange, actually.  I got one email from a friend, who had CC'd an email she sent to someone I didn't know, giving my email address.  Well, that friend emailed me and congratulated me on today's success, even though he wasn't there.  Does that constitute "fan mail" ?  But I answered him back and thanked him for his thoughts.  My husband said it might be someone who used to go to our church.  Won't my face be red if it turns out to be someone I DO know, and just haven't seen in years, and therefore didn't recognize the name?!  So sir, if you read this, and we do know each other, I apologize for not recognizing you!  I hope we can get reacquainted!

So another day, another feeling of accomplishment, and my day is really only beginning.  Soon, I will go to work, and deal with the flotsam of Saturday night revelry that always happens post-home game.  My family will be on the back of my mind, hoping the boys don't give my husband too much trouble!  I hope I won't be too busy to feel that baby kick, since I'm still waiting for something a little stronger than a "gas bubble" sensation of movement.  Have a great night, everyone. 

It's official! Sundance Bookstore has posted their book signing events. Myself and some other Hadley Rille authors will be there July 2 at 6:30 pm to sign books and have a reading. Yeah for us! Please check out the link, and if you can come, we'd love to see you there! Check out the Events page and scroll down to July 2.

Ironically, today I was reading a magazine article about book signings (Writer's Digest Yearbook, Writing Basics 2008, p63), written by J. A. Konrath. I don't know anything about book signings. The ones I've been to have basically been the author sitting at the table surrounded by their books, answering questions and signing away, with a plate of cookies nearby. I was going to write my fellow Hadley Rille authors and get their take on the event, and plan accordingly. (Not to mention how to dress professional/casual for a July night in Reno!) Maybe get a manicure so I have pretty fingernails for the signing.

According to the article, J. A. Konrath suggests having business cards available, and to approach as many people as you can who enter the store, and begin chatting them up, while encouraging them to buy your book. His style has netted him many, many book sales. The article described an event mingling with the customers and staying on your feet during the whole event. Low heels for me, then.

Now of course, my plane is supposed to get in that afternoon. Hopefully with plenty of time to get to the signing. If there are no delays, that is. And we all know how chancy that will be, the flying industry being what it is nowadays!

I recall last year at a writer's conference, a fellow attendee had just self-published her first novel. Every day, she passed out customized bookmarks to everyone. The bookmark showed the cover of her book, the title, and the author's name, as well as the website to purchase the book. At the time, I thought it was a wonderful marketing plan. I can't help but wonder what she spent on advertising compared to her income on book sales. At the end of the conference, she told me she had sold all of her copies of the book during the conference book sale, and had more on order.

I don't know what to expect at this signing. Right now, I'm excited beyond belief. As the date gets closer, though, I probably will get some stage fright. But I know I will be surrounded by good people who have done this before, including Will, who has worked so hard to put this thing together. Thank you, Will! (I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!)

In one month, I'm going to be at a book signing for my short story! Happy dance, happy dance!