My First Book Signing.

Okay, I'll admit it. I always thought my first book signing would be for my own book. You know, my novel, with my name on the cover and everything. It would have to be a novel because I didn't write anything else. Not short stories. Certainly not poetry.

Then I joined the Western Ohio Writers Association and soon I was doing pieces for our Beatnik Cafe (public readings), trying poetry, writing short stories.  And lo and behold, it was a short story that was published first. Mine along with ten others in the anthology, Flights of Fiction.

Our launch party is tonight, 7:00 to 9:00 at Blue Jacket Books in Xenia, OH. Ten of the eleven authors in the book will be there. We'll each read a page from our story. We'll sign books (hopefully). We'll meet and greet and mingle.

I'm a little nervous.

Our public readings are different. I always write something especially for those, something that will be easy to read aloud. The events are laid back. Casual. Free.

If someone is buying our book - spending their hard earned money - are the expectations different? Do I suddenly need to look/act/sound like a professional author?  What should I say? What should I wear?

What should I write when I sign?  If someone wants all ten of us to sign a book, do we move off the title page or squeeze on there together like a get well card being passed around an office?

What if I forget and sign my real name instead of my pen name?

Maybe I'm a lot nervous.

Any suggestions? Tips? Kind words of support?  (Try to keep the snickering to a minimum.)

I'll tell you how it went on Monday.

If I'm not here, assume the worst.


Groaner for the Day:  (it's been a while since I've given you a real groaner)

King Ozymandias of Assyria was running low on cash after years of war with the Hittites.  His last great possession was the Star of the Euphrates, the most valuable diamond in the ancient world. Desperate, he went to Croesus, the pawnbroker, to ask for a loan. 

Croesus said, "I'll give you 100,000 dinars for it." 

"But I paid a million dinars for it," the King protested.  "Don't you know who I am?  I am the king!"

Croesus replied, "When you wish to pawn a Star, makes no difference who you are."

Flights of Fiction - Release Day

 It's FLIGHTS OF FICTION's Release Day.

Oh yeah, I'm jazzed.

I'm also delighted to be in such fine company.  The Western Ohio Writers Association (WOWA) is a wonderful group of talented authors and I'm proud to be part of the group and of this anthology.

Flights of Fiction came into being in rather an unusual way. Instead of a book in search of a publisher, this was a publisher in search of a book.  Handcar Press, an independent author imprint of Loconeal Publishing, LLC, wanted to do an anthology of stories based in southwest Ohio.  A representative from Loconeal reached out to Gery Deer, the founder of WOWA, and asked if we'd be interested in contributing. Gery grabbed the opportunity and ran with it.

Eleven stories were selected for the anthology.  Gery contributed the introduction, in which he points out that his story didn't make the cut. 

Here's a blurb on Flights of Fiction:

Pull up a comfy chair and lose yourself in eleven original stories set in and around the southwest Ohio region. Written by just a few of the talented authors from the Western Ohio Writers Association, these soon-to-be classic tales let you follow one man’s tragic story at the end of the world in “Dead of Winter”; experience a night at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in “Nose Art”; and get lost in a haunting image from the past in “Tabitha’s Portrait,” plus many more. From detective tales to a trek into the mysterious world of wrestling, Flights of Fiction has something for everyone.

Sound good?

One little note - If you would like to purchase Flights of Fiction (bless your little heart), the "Buy Now" button on the right will take you to Paypal to purchase it directly or you can click on the cover image to buy it on Amazon. If you use the Buy Now button, I'll cover the shipping and you'll receive a signed copy.

So, that's what's new and exciting in my world today. What's going on in yours?

Headline of the Day:

What were the chances?

It's Enough for Now

Hi.  TGIF.

I'm wearing a happy face, too

I'm feeling pretty good this morning.

Well, not my stupid knee. The doctor gave me a cortisone shot yesterday and the initial reaction included swelling and stiffness. But I'll give it some time.

No, I'm feeling good about my writing and about some tiny signs of progress.

I attended our Western Ohio Writers Association meeting last night. I took a story I'm thinking of submitting to a major anthology to our critique group and received a thumbs up/it's ready from everyone. And this is not a warm fuzzy, pat on the back type of critique group.

I also had a chance to talk with some authors whose stories were not selected for an upcoming anthology that will include one of mine. I know this sounds selfish and not at all supportive but these are writers whose work I like and respect so it gave my ego a nice boost.

The national writing contest I entered a story in just before Christmas has not yet announced their results so I'm still enjoying the sweet sense of possibility.

Oh, and I've found the perfect source for some research I need on a current WIP and he said he'll be happy to help me.

Okay, it doesn't rate up there with signing a three book deal, or finding an agent who adores my book but for today...it's enough.

How about you?  Anything in your life giving you a boost today?

 Thought for the Day:

I don't want to brag or make anyone jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school.

*grin*