Tuesday, July 31, 2007

After Signing

Well, I was really happy with the signing tonight. I’m still excited. I didn’t have a lot of people, but they were all enthusiastic and friendly and I sold quite a few books. I think the talk went over pretty well and I had a lot of folks come up after to chat. I didn’t have to sign until my hand cramped but I think I felt a twinge in my thumb once. (LOL) Apparently the library folks liked my presentation because they started talking to me about coming back once the third Taleran book is published. That would be very nice.

Among the folks who came were O’Neil and Debb De Noux, both writers and both good friends. I hadn’t seen either of them in probably over a year so that was nice. Elora Fink, from my Wordsmith’s writing group, drove all the way over the 24 mile bridge through rain and rush hour traffic to get there. Elora is always so supportive of her friends, writing or otherwise. I think she’s been to all of my signings and talks and I always appreciate seeing her. I think, btw, that Elora has some passing connection with the blogger known as Sphinx Ink. Brenda Howard came with Elora and bought a copy of all the books. I’ve met Brenda a couple of times before but hadn’t seen her in quite a long time either. Melissa Bryant was the lady from the Covington library who arranged all the details and made sure the room was set up. Much thanks to her. Her husband, Stephen, also attended, and it turns out Stephen and Melissa are from Arkansas. In fact, Stephen even attended Arkansas Tech where I went to undergraduate school, although we weren’t there at the same time. Some other folks who made the drive were Sarah and her husband Daniel. Sarah works with Lana at the Abita Springs library, and I’d spoken with her before. This was my first time meeting Daniel, and we talked quite a bit about psychology, a subject I occasionally dabble in.

And, of course, Lana was there, being her usual supportive self. I had to laugh earlier in the day, though, because I think she was more nervous than I was. All in all, I hope a good time was had by everyone. I know I had a good time. Sometimes it’s good for a writer to get out in public and meet real people.

16 comments:

RK Sterling said...

Oh, congratulations, Charles! I'm so glad it went well. Brave man.

Inside our hands, outside our hearts said...

I haven't read much of your writings here, but I come once in a while. I find what I do read interesting and I am curious about these books in which you speak. So I may have to give them a look as well.

congrats by the way...

Lisa said...

Thank you for sharing this experience and this sounds like an especially good one. It's always interesting to hear how authors feel about signings -- before I starting reading these blogs I always imagined I was more nervous about attending readings and signings than the authors were!

the walking man said...

I guess that's the difference between authors who write books, cloistered away for long periods of times and poets who read at open mics and do slams...the poets are pure pork, all ham. Oh man put me in front of 100 people to read and I go into energize mode.

But I am happy for you Charles that it went well and you didn't choke.

Sidney said...

Sounds like it was a great time! I haven't seen O'Neil and Deb in several years! That's what I get for leaving Louisiana.

AvDB said...

I'm glad the signing went well and that you sold a good number of books. You've done yourself proud.

Unknown said...

So glad it went well! I'd liked to have been there, you know, with 'real people'

cs harris said...

Wish we could have been there, Charles! When are you doing one on this side of the lake? So glad to hear it went well.

RichardS said...

Congrats Charles, sounds like you had a excellent time. Great to hear about it.

Steve Malley said...

Good stuff, man! Good stuff!

Erik Donald France said...

Awesome, Charles!!! Ooorah! Sounds very fun. So, you may have mentioned before, are you left handed or right handed? Glad you rocked the library!!! Good way to energize things, always.

Charles Gramlich said...

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate it.

Although I was a bit nervous I am used to standing in front of people and lecturing because of my teaching job. Still, it always seems different to give a talk about writing.

Erik, I'm right handed. Why?

Bernita said...

"I’m still excited."
And so you should be.
Glee.

Rachel V. Olivier said...

Cool! Congratulations!

Michelle's Spell said...

Hey Charles,

So glad it was fun! I think it takes a tremendous amount of courage to do the work and promote it! Yay!

LoveRundle said...

I'm so happy for you. I was going to ask how it went. I can't imagine book signings or presentations. I'm so shy. I really need to work on that.