Who Knew BOOKSIGNINGS Could be So Much Fun … Delsora Lowe

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?

The Love Left Behind: Hartford Estate

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Left-Behind-Hartford-Estate-ebook/dp/B08L5N5DS9/

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/mglVqK

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, and the novella The Love Left Behind, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Recently released were two Christmas stories: The Inn on Gooseneck Lane and Holiday Hitchhiker.

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits:
Outgoing Person:  clip art - Clip Art Library (clipart-library.com) 437049
Party: Free Free Party Cliparts, Download Free Free Party Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Pile of Books with Kid: animated image of books - Clip Art Library (clipart-library.com) BiaKxL7rT.png (566×800) (clipart-library.com)
Shermans: and Gardiner Library: Photos taken by Deb Noone and Danielle Bannister

 

Inspiration on the Schedule: Hooray for Conferences

By Linda Lovely

Danielle Dahl and me at Booksmith signing.

How does an author who writes romantic suspense and mysteries stay motivated? For me, writers’ conferences and other events that let me spend time with and learn from fellow authors, publishers, agents, editors, law enforcement experts and, yes, readers are a big factor. Today I’m taking an enjoyable look back at the 2014 conferences and author events that kept me inspired and were plain old fun.  Some are annual musts—Georgia RWA’s Moonlight & Magnolias conference in Atlanta, the Writers’ Police Academy (moving to a new Wisconsin home in 2015), and a book signing at The Booksmith, my local independent bookstore in Seneca, SC.

I add other conferences/events as budget and geography allow. For example, in 2015, I’ll attend my first Bouchercon. It’s in Raleigh, NC, the first time this huge conference will be held in driving distance.

For authors making up their 2015 wish lists, here’s what I enjoyed most about the 2014 conferences/events I attended.     

February: Murder in the Magic City & Murder on the Menu  This is an Alabama double-header. Authors spend one day in Birmingham, the next in Wetumpka.  I drove down with several author friends and we had a grand time. The hosts treat every author like he/she is a NYT best-seller. It’s a great chance to meet and talk with readers as well as fellow authors. I offered a character name as an auction item to raise money for the library and I’ve had great fun getting to know the winner—Deborah Holt.    

May: SC Book Festival Here’s another opportunity to chat with readers about what characters/ plots/ writing styles they enjoy most and what would make them recommend a book to others. Had lots of fun working the Lowcountry Romance Writers Association booth with fellow romance author Synithia Williams.

June: Sisters in Crime Des Moines  I grew up in Iowa and returned last June for a family celebration—my sister and brother-in-law’s 50^th wedding anniversary. While in state, I was delighted to be asked to speak at a local Sisters in Crime chapter in Des Moines. A very fun and savvy group of writers.

August: Lowcountry RWA In August, I spoke to this chapter about audiobooks. A fun opportunity to spend time with some of my favorite regional authors in one of the South’s premiere cities—Charleston, SC.

September: Writers Police Academy This was my third year at WPA. And, yes, you could go every single year and keep learning every visit. This year I served as Volunteer Staff. As a result, I learned a lot of new skills, including how to register some 250 people for two different events via Constant Contact. As always, Lee Lofland, WPA founder, cajoled an amazing number of experts to help writers separate myth from reality and have hands-on experience in a variety of situations going through some of the same training as police officers. I also met Jeannette Barouth, who was attending from Germany. We bonded over German chocolate and she’s going to translate DEAR KILLER into German for me in 2015.

October: Moonlight & Magnolias This is a great conference. Small enough that you’re not overwhelmed, large enough to attract top-notch speakers and publishing professionals. If you live in the South and write in any genre that includes a dash of romance, this is my number one recommendation for a conference.

October: SCWW Conference This year’s conference at Myrtle Beach, SC, gave me the opportunity to get to know and pick the brains of two fellow audiobook panelists—Karen White and Elliott Walsh, both talented narrators. Audiobooks are hot, and I’m proud to say all four of my published novels are now available as audiobooks.  K.C. Cowan has been my narrator for all of them and what a joy she is to work with.

November:  Booksmith Book Launch Let’s hear it for independent bookstores! The Booksmith has 

been kind enough to host each of my book launches. They advertise, provide goodies, and hand sell my books. If you’re an author, do yourself a favor and get to know your local bookstores and their staff. But don’t just show up when you have a book to sell. Be a customer! 

Believe me I'm signing up for more inspiration in 2015. So what must conferences/events are on your schedule?