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· A Book Reading at Hutchinson Public Library ·
Tomorrow night I have my first official book reading/signing for my debut novel, Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. I’m looking forward to the interaction with the attendees—if anyone shows up.
Well, I know some people will show. J. Alex Potter, my wife, she’ll be there. We’re riding in the same car. Kate Lewis, Marketing and Communications Manager of the Hutchinson Public Library (HPL); she’ll be there. That’s three people.
Kate can meet Alex and the three of us can have a good time talking, having refreshments, and putting the chairs back. Actually the reading area has comfortable, soft chairs that are an anchor to the coziness of the space.
Sometimes I sound negative, but I’m pretty positive about things. I just guard against disappointment. So, I think that if we can get more than three people, that makes a crowd, that’s a win!
Just a couple of days ago, Gwen Bartlett, co-owner of Bookends (123 N Main, Hutchinson) with her husband Wes, told me that my novel had sold out at the book store. “”SOLD OUT!” I exclaimed! No one even knows the book’s been published. That’s pretty cool!” Then I walked out to my car and returned with enough books to refill her inventory: two paperbacks!
A good friend of mine, Gina Laiso, was planning on attending my book reading but then she got a better offer: Michael Jackson. Yeah, “MJ LIVE,” is showing at the Fox Theater the same night as my book signing!
But I hear it’s SOLD OUT, so if you’re looking for some wild entertainment, come to the library. Maybe Alex and I will line-dance for you. Show starts at 7 p.m. in the upstairs reading area.
I believe Gregg Wamsley, Director of HPL, is planning on attending the event. I’m looking forward to congratulating him for the exceptional job he’s done as a visionary leader for the library and for Hutchinson. I mean, can you imagine if he and his exceptional staff hadn’t evolved with the times? HPL is definitely an incubator for, and pillar of, the community.
If the four of us are the only ones who attend, instead of playing cards with grapes as poker chips, I’m going to tell Gregg how super it’s been working with Kate. She’s really impressed me with her communication skills (good thing, that’s part of her job title).
The colorful, informative author table she created shouts for attention. Its giant poster, free personalized bookmarks, and biography-page handouts are not easy to miss. Kate even has the wall-display board cycling news about the author event while she sends out blasts on social media.
If you show up, there are three more people I’d like you to meet: Police Officer Tom Jennings of the Prairie Grove Police Department, James Odessa-Smith with his schizoaffective disorder, and young Suanna Morningcloud; she’s a person with albinism and she’s half Nez Perce Indian and half Caucasian. She’ll bring Rat, her pet gerbil.
In my character-driven novel, the three locals meet during a botched bank robbery, and because of a single bullet their lives are changed forever.
These three fictional people (and Rat) will be represented at our book signing by individual sculptures on display. Alex will tell you about her process of creating them in her art studio.
All eight of us (I’m counting the fictional people and gerbil; they’re real to me) are looking forward to a fun evening.
I’ll share about my creative process, and I’ll read a few excerpts from the novel. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers.
After that, the books will be available for purchase and signing.
I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night, November 9th, at the library. Come early and grab a comfortable chair.
If I’m asked on Friday how many people attended the event, I’m prepared to answer.
I’ll hesitate, count on my fingers, and then reply: “It was well attended. We had a fun crowd. There were at least eight of us . . . if you count the pet gerbil.”
Until next time, happy writing and reading!
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