Don’t be a stranger…

Coming off the great experience of my book-signing two weekends ago (see below), I was optimistic going into the two signings I had scheduled in Tucson, AZ this past Saturday. Let’s just say I no longer have the same feeling towards these signings. My confidence was not sufficiently stockpiled.

My first signing was in a lovely little bookstore called Mostly Books on the east side of Tucson, and while I had hardly any traffic (I was told there was a U of A/ USC basketball game going on, but I think it might have been football), I still had a fine time. I browsed around the aisles and ended up buying two half-price paperbacks. I’m already half-way through the first: The Veil of Night by Lydia Joyce, and I’m delighted to have found it as it’s an impressive debut. I only signed five books at the lovely little table they had setup for me, but I was still in relatively good spirits when I left.

After lunch, I showed up at Borders across town, and it didn’t seem as if anyone really remembered about me. They quickly set me up at a small table up front with four chairs lined up in front of me. They had asked me if it was a straight signing or if I had a discussion, and I most emphatically answered that I would not be discussing the book—it’s not, after all, that kind of book. So, faced with the chairs, I wasn’t sure what to do. I figured that they’d actually discourage visitors to the table. So…after about five minutes, I asked that they move them.

And then I sat and waited amidst the stillness and quiet of the bookstore. No one was in this store either—a store I had heard was always crowded. Finally I was approached by two women. One asked me where the children’s section was, and the other interrupted with the realization that I was signing my book (which surrounded me on the table). They were very sweet and bought one of the only two books I sold. After that there was a substantial lull—for about an hour. An older couple came over and told me that all sorts of things were going on downtown, and at that point I was about ready to give up.

Within ten minutes, my next and last sale wandered over. He said he’d heard that men should read more romance because men and women see romance so differently. I say, good for him! After him, I signed the balance of books, was assured they’d be placed up front in the store, and beat a hasty retreat, exhausted from the strain of smiling and disappointed in my lack of success. I went shopping.

I will say that my visit to the Barnes and Noble on the west side of town was very satisfying. I stopped in simply to sign the stock on hand, and the Community Relations Manager there was very welcoming, encouraging, and excited for me. I left feeling like a promising new author. Thanks, Gene.