On the Shelf and In the Stores

That's ME, on the shelf at my local Border's Books! How cool is that?!

I will say one thing. No matter how many books I get published, I always have the same reaction when I finally see the book actually "in situ." It makes me happy. I do the happy dance. Then, I grab a copy and run up to the clerk behind the register and say, like a two-year old, "I wrote this."

I had an amazing signing at Uncle Hugo's on Saturday. We sold out.

When you're at my stage in the career, booksignings are such a funny thing. I was talking about this on a list of professional science fiction/fantasy writers I belong to http://www.sfnovelists.com, and I think booksignings are the Mona Lisa of the writing world. You know what I mean, right? The Mona Lisa, is hailed as this big, amazing piece of art. Virtually everyone's heard of it, and you always imagine it as full portrait size. When you see it in real life, you discover it's really not all that impressive. It's about half the size you're expecting and under glass (at the time I was at the Louvre, which was the 80s. I guess now traffic is os high it has it's own room, which is a bummer since I discovered the Oath of the Horatii by David, which is truly awesome, because it was in the same hall as Mona.)

Anyway, the point is that we all have our fantasy booksigning. The one where people are lined up around the block, anxious to catch a glimpse of the famous author whose work they adore.

It's so not like that.

Unless the author is willing to do a little work in terms of self-promotion it can be awfully lonely. I've been told that selling six books is considered a success.

A lot of the time you feel like Cinderella waiting to be taken to the ball, only in this version no fairy godmother shows up.

That's why Uncle Hugo's was such a treat. I sold every copy Don, the owner, had ordered (which makes him happy) and all my friends showed up to congratulate me and buy a book. Even a couple of strangers showed up. It was awesome.

Also, for those who know my other life... I wore a DRESS!

Yes, pictures are forthcoming.