This week I participated in my first book signing as part of an event for local authors here in my area. The event was held at a neighborhood coffeehouse and I had a great time! I sold five books, including one to a complete stranger, and gave out lots of bookmarks. Best of all, I managed to talk to people about my books without getting tongue-tied or making a fool of myself. If you read my IWSG post this month you know that is a concern for me. :D
It was a big thrill to sit at my table with my books and great to get this event under my belt. I got some ideas for the book festival and other events I have coming up so I'm even more excited for them now.
So for this week's Celebrate the Small Things hop I'm celebrating this event! It was definitely the highlight of my week. If you want to join in the celebrations, visit our wonderful host Vikki at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author to sign up and participate.
Also, the last Friday of the month means it's time to update our progress for Misha Gericke's Do You Have Goals? hop.
My goal is to earn a full-time living as a writer. I didn't have as productive a month this time as I did back in February, but I did make lots of progress on my sequel to Polar Night, entitled Polar Day. I feel like the story has gelled now and I've not only been writing a great deal but I've also been enjoying the writing, so I'm excited about that. I also worked more on my prequel novella that I plan to release on my own and am pleased with how the novella ties in to both Polar Night and to the sequel.
So between the writing progress and my signing event I feel like March was another good month for me. Here's hoping for an even better April.
Have a great weekend, all!
Yay! Congrats on the book signing. Glad things went well.
ReplyDeletep.s. I'm reading Ghosts of Aquinnah. :)
Well done, Julie! You look so professional in those book signing pics. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoying the writing itself is one of the reasons we do what we do. :)
Hope you have a great April!
Sold a book to a stranger! I know how that feels - completely awesome! Glad it went well for you :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! And to sell a book to a stranger too is definitely a great reason to celebrate. Here's hoping you reach your writing goal. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie - that's wonderful and what fun to see you at your author's table .. congratulations: 5 books isn't too shabby.
ReplyDeleteAlso the fact you're progressing with your sequel .. but it's good to feel content with where you're at ..
Enjoy and the Spring and Summer are a-buzzing for you .. cheers Hilary
Fear of public speaking has been conquered. At least for this event. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteFear of public speaking has been conquered. At least for this event. Congratulations.
ReplyDelete@LG, thanks! I hope you like the book. :)
ReplyDelete@Madeline, thanks, I think April will be a great month. Definitely looking forward to the A-Z.
@Karen, thank you!
@Annalisa, it was awesome for sure. :)
@T, I hope so, thanks so much!
@Hilary, it was a lot of fun to have that table. Thanks. :)
@Nana, thank you!
Congrats on the successful book signing and sales. Nice promo material for your book, too!
ReplyDeleteGreat picture of what sounds like a great time. Congratulations on your goals and on meeting them. Your experience is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine not getting tongue-tied, so good for you! Glad your signing went off nicely, woot! Also glad you've been enjoying your writing, always a great thing to celebrate ;)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a great thing to celebrate. So glad it went well for you.
ReplyDeleteBook signings are such fun, and getting to meet the readers, there's nothing better - well, not counting selling loads and loads of books!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
I'm so happy for you, Julie. Meeting your audience must be so exciting! Kudos on the sales of your books. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteMJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Writing Tips
Effectively Human
Lots of Crochet Stitches
Congrats on your book signing, it sounds like it went really well :)
ReplyDeleteThat;s wonderful, Julie! I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDelete(Hurry up with that sequel. :P)
@DG, thanks! I am totally indebted to a dear friend of mine for helping me with the promo materials, I just love them.
ReplyDelete@Jan, it really was a great time, thanks so much.
@SK, definitely. Now that I've said that about the writing though I'm afraid I may have jinxed myself LOL.
@Suzanne, thanks, I appreciate it. :)
@Yolanda, yeah, that would have been better LOL. Maybe I'll get there eventually. :D
@MJ, thank you!
@Laura, it did, thanks so much.
@Melissa, LOL, I am trying. I really want it to be done! Thanks!
Congratulations on your first book signing!! It's not only you, but my book sales are in the pits! I even tried a sale, not much luck. So glad to hear you're making progress with Polar Day!
ReplyDeleteYay, congrats on the book signing and conquering the fear of public speaking. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteAnother step toward fame! Congratulations, Julie. Your table display looks great. May many more strangers cross your path.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your first book signing went so well! Congrats on selling five books, and for not getting tongue-tied! (The latter would be a huge issue for me, too, haha.)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all your progress Julie! Glad your book signing went well and can't wait to hear about more successes.
ReplyDeleteWriting full-time is a goal of mine as well. But lately I've been unfocused so I've resorted to Hans writing some changes to Killer Stilettos.
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate!
Shelly
That's the bad thing about being with an e-book only press... no books to sign. It sounds like fun though!
ReplyDeleteJulie - you did it and I'm proud of you! Congratulations on your book signing. I'm certain it'll become more exciting with each one in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis is a big celebration.
You and the books both looked great at your signing! =)
ReplyDeleteWow, your first book signing. How exciting, and you sold some books too. Congratulations, Julie!
ReplyDeletehttp://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/
Congrats on your successful book signing, Julie! Wonderful photos of you with Polar Night, and The Ghosts of Aquinnah. Great job getting over your fear of public speaking! Looking forward to Polar Day, and I know that you'll be able to reach your goals in no time!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Oh I bet that signing was so fun-- such a manifestation of the hard work you've invested! Yay.
ReplyDeleteI need to rethink my goals and get my days better organized.
Glad you had a good month. Looks like you had fun at the book signing- congrats!
ReplyDeleteI love the pics at the book signing! It must have been exciting. You look great! Sorry you didn't get as much accomplished in March as in February. Me too. Here's to April progress for both of us! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book signing. I bet that will get easier the more you do it. Where did you do the signing?
ReplyDeleteHi, Julie,
ReplyDeleteSOOOOO happy to hear you enjoyed your book signing so much! CONGRATS!
You look so happy sitting there next to you wonderful books!
and CONGRATS on your WIPS... That is AWESOME! I have one more tweak to my novel and off it goes into the world to find its home. I have a few leads, so hopefully I will have news soon...
It feels so good to visit you on such a HAPPY NOTE!
YAY for a great March!! Good on you for daring to do the signing - I think it's great you are getting more confident in meeting strangers & talking about your books to them. :D
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book signing. I always enjoyed doing them and miss getting out in front of readers.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for your comments and congrats! I'm sorry I got behind in replying but it made my day to read your comments now. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteYou do very well. You challenged your anxiety. You should be very proud. The positive pathway continues....
Very much something to celebrate! :)
An upbeat, hopeful posting, Julie.
I hope you had a lovely weekend.
Gary :)
Julie, I love your picture with your books. You look so happy! Congratulations on the book signing. I think they can be really hard.
ReplyDeleteMary Montague Sikes
Yay! Congratulations on the book signing. Glad things went well. You look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and sounds like it is going well for you! Onwards to our goals... :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your signing and I am glad it is behind you as I am sure the next time will be easier.
ReplyDeleteJulie, I am so thrilled for you and I love that big smile in one of the pictures. This is just great.
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteOh, that must have been a fun experience. And I had to laugh when you said, "I even sold one to a total stranger." LOL. Hopefully many, many more will be in the hands of strangers soon. You deserve it.
M.L. Swift, Writer
Thank you all again so much! This was a fun event and being able to share it with you here made it even better. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear things are going well on Polar Day. It's a great feeling when things come together. :-)
ReplyDeleteGrats on the signing! Sounds like it all went well. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Misha and Loni! Sorry I missed your comments earlier.
ReplyDelete