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Endings?

I don't have a lot to say about this month's topic. I just don't think in terms of endings. Every book has a beginning, a middle and an end, but if you write a well-rounded, multi-layered book, readers will feel as if they know the characters' histories. And what about after the happily ever after ending? A good book stays with you. The characters have an afterlife--one readers can fill in with their imaginations.

So, I hope you'll pardon me, but I'm going off script. I'm going to talk about a multi-author book signing I did last weekend.



The weather was terrible. Frezing rain and icy roads led to multiple accidents all over the state. Needless to say, very few attendees braved the elements. We even gift wrapped the books in baskets for free! Oh well. If you look at our smiling faces, you'll see we enjoyed ourselves anyway.

Someone (Arianna Hart) once said, "Put a bunch of authors in a box of rocks and a good time will be had by all." It's true. We enjoyed each other's company when we weren't busy talking to the lovely customers who managed to attend the event.

Even the owner (Jeff--the only guy in the photo) enjoyed himself and said he'd have another signing for us, individually or together, any time. And this is only a third of the authors in my RWA chapter doing group signings this year. I coordinated 3 signings with the free baskets and wrap. We're having another one with 5 or 6 different authors Feb 12th (right before Valentine's day) and another right before Mother's Day (exact date TBD.)

I'm already looking forward to them. Since we're in New England, the weather in Feb will again be iffy. But I'm betting it won't deter us.

So is that the end of my post? No. I'm positive someone is going to say, but where's Ashlyn? All I see are Hannah Howell and Annette Blair in the foreground a three others in the back. Oh, all right. Here's another photo with all of us.



In the foreground, from left to right are: Coralie Jensen, Barbara Wallace, Ella Drake. Standing behind them are: Hannah Howell, Annette Blair and me. In the background is Jeff.

Comments

  1. I'm convinced part of the value of signings is that we authors get together with each other in a place rife with books, books and more books. How can that not have a wonderful vibe?

    And I'm with you on the lack of emphasis on endings. They stump me as a writer--how do you make saying goodbye a positive experience for the reader? Writing sequential novels has been the result so far--and I'm probably doomed to write about big families, too.

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  2. Great on having the fortitude to go to a signing under such bad weather conditions, Ashlyn. :) Good luck with your next signings. I've got one this Saturday in the local area, but with it being so close to Christmas (our original signing in November was canceled so that Bush could have his instead)....so I don't really have high hopes! :) Glad you enjoyed it anyway and I've always found just signing the books and leaving them at the store did more than anything for selling them!

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  3. Yes, Grace, the friendships grow from shared experiences, both good and bad. Had it been a well attended signing, we might not have had the chance to get to know each other better.

    And, Terry. So sorry you got bumped! We had our signing originally scheduled at a B&N, but they cancelled saying it was too close to Christmas. Huh?


    Anyway, Jeff was kind enough to take us in, and it was a more intimate atmosphere. I made up a few extra baskets before I left and he kept all our books to sell later. Sometimes things work out exactly the way they're supposed to!

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  4. That's exactly what I'm afraid of, Ash! And none of our romance chapter other than the signers are going to come because of that very reason. Sooo, we shall see!

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  5. Sounds like a fabulous time! I think group signings are so much fun--even when customers don't know who you are, it seems like the group atmospehre is more inviting :)

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  6. Project good thoughts, Terry.

    I made the mistake of hearing the forcast for rain and couldn't get it out of my head all week.

    Danielle, this is the second time I've had a signing there and sold Strange Neighbors. Both times went well! I can't wait unti The Werewolf Upstairs comes out.

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  7. I think I would like to join one of your book signings! Sounds like you had a great time to me. I've never heard of anyone wrapping the books--unless it was for a door prize. Wishing you much good luck on many more signings!
    Amelia

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  8. I don't know how much I have to say about either endings or beginnings, either, so it was fine with me for you to tackle another subject.

    Loved hearing about the multiple author signing. I have one coming up in January--at an independent store. Not sure how it will go and I've kind of been wishing for some other writers to share the signing with.

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  9. Book signings are what you make of them, aren't they? Glad you had fun, despite the weather!

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  10. I can't wait for my turn. It is too bad about the weather, but not a lot you can do about that. I prefer multi-signings. You're right, we all have so much fun! And when something like bad weather intervenes, at least you're not alone.

    Jeff sounds like a great guy, and a wonderfully supportive bookseller!

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  11. I did a signing with another author about 2 weeks ago, and as I was driving to the bookstore, a huge accident happened that closed the road. Yeah, not such a great turn-out when a major road closes like that and traffic backs up. Oh, well! The people who came were awesome to hang around with.

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  12. That looks like great fun! Sorry the weather didn't cooperate. At least when you have multiple authors, you have someone to keep you company between readers.

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  13. Hi Ash!! You look great in that color, Orange, very pretty!
    I've never been to a signing, but I just seen one coming to St. Louis though, But I know her name but don't read her books. But one day I hope to get to one!!

    And I agree I don't like to look at everything likes it's going to end, definately not in my books!!!

    Hugs Ash, Your the greatest!!

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  14. The picture looks like y'all had a great day! Last August I did a book signing at an independent store in Oklahoma City. Didn't sell a single book ... forgot that it was tax free day for school shopping and that construction on the roads made it almost impossible to get to the store without a personal helicopter! LOL
    But this amazing couple came in and visited for a long time with me. No way after their visit that the day was a loss!
    Amazing how things work out sometimes!

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  15. Yes, it seems as if signings are totally unpredictable.

    Dalton, at least yours is in the spring! I worry about the Frb. one.

    Good luck, Mary Margaret. Indy's are the best. They really appreciate you vs. some of the big chain stores.

    Shana, I'm sorry to hear your book signing was waylaid too! Oh well, try, try again, right?

    Hugs back, Christine! I didn't realize the tunic didn't fit properly until I saw it in pictures! Oops. I do like the color though.

    And Carolyn, I had a signing like that a couple of years ago. It was Nascar race day! What was I thinking? LOL

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  16. It looks like you all had a great time, Ash. I'm sorry. I was one of those weenies who didn't want to brave the icy roads. Since I wrapped a car around a light pole in a storm back in 2007, I err on the side of caution. I'll be looking for the gang in February...if the weather cooperates.

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  17. I haven't yet had to do signings. I both look forward to it and dread it :) Glad you had a good time with this one in spite of the weather.

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  18. You're so right, Ashlyn. I always have a blast when I join a group of authors.

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  19. Congrats on your book signing. It looked like a blast.

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