BOOK SIGNING – BOOKS AND BOOKS
We were back on the road last week. We spent three days in Nashville at The Southern Writers Conference. Which I will blog about next week.
And then we went to Miami to read at Books and Books in Coral Gables.
For those of you who are unable to attend any of our appearances due to geography or any other reasons, this should give you an inside look from beginning to end.
We were lucky because my friend Stephen Duncan who is a professional photographer and drove over from Ft. Meyers to be there. What a great friend he is. That is literally across the state. Albeit, the skinny part of the state.
Every reading has pretty much the same format, though each one has a totally different vibe depending on the size of the crowd, the mood of the crowd and the type of crowd.
The head of events introduces us, giving each of the highlights of our individual careers. We then explain who we are and why we wrote the book. We read for about twenty to thirty minutes and then we open it up for Q and A. Afterwards people buy books and you sign them. In the case of Paul, he ends up signing a lot of photos, albums and Kermit dolls. This week was a first and he signed a car from Smokey and the Bandit. A toy one! We both sign the books, unless someone only wants him to sign which has only happens from time to time. Most people are very kind and respectful. There are people who are star struck and don’t want to have much to do with me. But usually by the time we have read and spoken I have won them over.
Books and Books is a lovely store. And they do something no one else does, they live stream the event for people to watch in real time and later. I think it is genius. People will watch them when they have time and hopefully be inspired to buy the book. I only wish I had known as I would have done a better job on my makeup.
At the end of the reading you take a picture with the people who run the reading, they always ask for a group shot, this week was a little different, the guy running it only wanted Paul in the shot.
Gratitude and Trust sometimes must be called upon in many forms and for many reasons.
But the tour remains robust and fun. And the people we meet are all enthusiastic and we are always thrilled to see them.
All Photos by Stephen Duncan Photography
This is Steve. He is introducing Paul.
Audience
The talk before we read.
Reading
Lining up to get their books signed.
On bended knee.
Husband there
Tracey Jackson is a screenwriter and blogger at traceyjacksononline.com. Her book Gratitude and Trust is now available.