Romancing the Genres: #ShermansBookstores

Being an author is not for the feint of heart, especially when you consider yourself an introvert. I have always considered myself an extrovert. Over the years, I worked in outward facing occupations, in food service, hospitality, event planning, and non-profits. In all those positions I had to be the friendly, outgoing person ALL THE TIME. And truthfully, I love interacting with people. But it takes energy to always be “ON” and outgoing.

But between getting older, no longer in the workforce per se, if you don’t count the desk I am glued to more hours than not, writing the next bestseller (OK – exaggeration alert,) and Covid isolation, I seemed to have moved closer to being an introvert. In other words, it seems to take a lot more energy for me to gear up to be in social, out-facing situations. But once I am in the midst – watch out.

Case in point. Recently my state romance writers’ group had a book signing at a library about forty miles away. Now another thing I don’t do much of anymore is travel. After commuting one-hundred and fifty miles daily for six years, the thought of getting on the highway is…UGH! But who can resist getting together with other authors to talk about our books, with an audience,

Of course, I signed up. And once I commit, I feel terrible if I don’t complete my obligation. Plus, now that I am bordering on introvert status, doing a book signing by myself seemed overwhelming. With this adventure, I knew I would be in good company.

So, as usual, I had everything packed days ahead of time, and trucked out to the car the day prior (a habit from my event planning days,) since I had to leave early. I set off the next morning—early. All the way up the lightly traveled highway, I wondered why I was putting myself through this. But when I arrived and finally found the right building and adjacent parking, I was joined by the three authors who would be signing with me.

The morning was frigid as we lugged boxes and bags into the library. We had a jolly time unpacking and setting up our space, and yacking with the librarians.

Then we sat and waited. Soon, people started wandering in. With a sigh of relief we knew we would have interested romance readers in the audience. A friend, who lived a few towns away showed up. YAY! A friendly face. Then her daughter, who lived in town, and her friend showed. YAY! More friendly faces. Strangers arrived and they had smiles on their faces. YAY! You know where I’m going with this. More friendly faces, and an audience that was there of their own free will because they love reading romance.

The librarian, along with our romance writers chapter program director had put together great questions. And soon we were off and running.

The audience, from their body language, laughter, and questions, were engaged. Phew! Wiping my brow. I had a blast. And I think the three authors signing with me, did as well. We ended our Q & A session, and we all waited with baited breath, hoping, praying to the goddess of romance writers, that at least one person would buy a book.

Well, lo and behold, they all bought books, not only from me, but from all the other authors. The librarian bought one of each of our books for the library—WOW! We chatted and laughed and answered more questions. And as they used to say when I was growing up (yes, in the 60s) – we were all on a high from the interaction and the adventure.

A week later, as I write this, I am still excited.

I’ve only done one other book signing. And again, I did it with another author in a local bookstore. We had fun then too. And when our designated hour and a half was finished, as we packed up, the bookstore clerks commented on how much fun it was to have a double author signing. With two of us, we were able to banter with people walking into the store, without making any customer feel as though they had to stop. The clerk said the vibe was fun for the entire shopping and working experience.

When I lived in Washington, D.C. where they had so many bookstores, both big box and indie, I went to tons of book signings. Many of them for my position as the school alumni director, so I could pick up signed books written by alumni for our alumni lounge bookcase.

Will I be nervous for the next book signing? You bet! Will I have a blast? I am sure I will. Especially when my extrovert personality decides to break free. It was an unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait to do it again. Plus…I sold books! What fun!

Do you enjoy going to book signings?
Do you enjoy hearing authors talk about their books, writing process, and how they got their book topic ideas?

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