Time's fun when you're having flies.
And boy, has time been one flying fun lately! Just returned from the beautiful coastal town of Santa Barbara, California, where fellow authors Dana Taylor and Jeff Sherratt joined me for the Santa Barbara Book & Authors Festival. The weather was the kind California is best known for, 75 degrees, breezy, sweet. We each sold a handful of books, chatted up the locals and traded tips and stories.
This was my 4th event in as many weeks; I'm beginning to evolve in my thinking. I used to believe it was all about how many books I sold. (Got a trunkful of them, don't you?) But the more I do this, the more I realize it's about making a name, building my confidence, connecting with readers. Not only does it enhance my position as an author, it takes unnecessary pressure off and adjusts unrealistic goals. Hand-selling your books is a wonderful experience. Signing "To Jill..." and watching her smile as I press my "Autographed Copy" sticker to the front cover is invaluable ego building.
And authors need ego. Do they ever. Without it, we'd be destined to stay under that rock from which we emerged the day the book was released.
I fantasize sometimes. I think about Reader Jill, going home to family and saying, as she's opening the refrigerator door at dinner, "hey, I met the nicest lady today at the book fair. Her name was Anne. Carter, I think. I liked her so I bought her book. It's about a lighthouse. You should see the cover!"
So Jill, if you're reading this, know that I went home and said to my hubby, "I met the nicest reader today. She is an aspiring author. She seemed really excited about my book. I hope she likes it!!"
Hope to see you next year, Jill!
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