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I met Caroline Fyffe in DC at RWA Nationals this summer and she impressed me so much. She's as bubbly and happy a person as you'd ever want to meet. Her debut title WHERE THE WIND BLOWS is out right now. Her enthusiasm reminded me how exciting that first book is. And along with that first title there are lots of other firsts. Today she's sharing about her first book signing. So you can keep us straight, my words today will be in Bold face and Caroline's in regular type.
Book Signings! Friend or Foe?
My very first, all-alone, book signing was so much more than I expected---which was a relief because it started out as rocky as they come. I’d been working with the wonderful Stockton Barnes & Nobel for several months and had pestered poor Lee almost every week. Being a debut author, I really didn’t have a clue how these things worked, but he walked me through the process calmly and patiently. As my date arrived, I tried to be composed. I just decided not to think about it until that day arrived. (I was signing from 7-9 PM.) Around three in the afternoon, there was a number on my cell I didn’t recognize and promptly returned the call. It was Lee. The books hadn’t arrived. Would I like to come and do a meet and greet? Not really! What would I talk about especially since I didn’t have the books in hand? We’d just reschedule.
Okay, that was that. Actually, I was more than relieved. Around five, I got another call. You guessed it, the books HAD arrived so I pulled myself together and headed over! I took my laptop so I could play my book preview, and a bag of Lindor Truffles to entice possible readers over. I arrived early and set everything up. I waited.
It wasn’t long before I saw a familiar face. A friend had checked my web page and brought a few friends along with her. More people than I imagined came over and talked. It was great. Almost all, after a few moments of conversation, bought my book. I felt triumphant!!
Here are a couple of pictures from that night….
I’m totally thrilled that my Lonesome Dove meets Little House on the Prairie story, Where the Wind Blows, is really finally here. I’m giving away a copy to someone who leaves me a comment. (Emily popping in for a moment! Did you get that? You could win a copy of Caroline's book just by leaving a comment or question for us here today!) Also, please visit my website at www.carolinefyffe.com to see how to enter my contest, Under a Western Sky, for your chance to win an overnight stay in a bunkhouse. And, while you’re there, take the time to sign up for my ‘announce only’ newsletter. On the last day of every month I will be giving away a free book!
For all the authors out there, I’d like to ask you what your ‘first’ book signing was like? Or, on the other hand, if you’re a reader, what helps to pull you over to a table where an author is signing? Is there something that actually turns you away?
