The Launch Party Recap: Books, Booze and BBQ
I would be the person on the right. Left is Jesse Haley, of Haley Booksellers.
Last night was crazy. So many friends and complete strangers showed up to Redbone's for the launch of my novel, MY SUMMER OF SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Wood, came! Personalizing her book was easy. "Thanks for teaching me to read." She did, actually, so yay plus she came all the way to Somerville for my party. All night I kept telling people, "My first grade teacher came!" Folks must have wondered which lady in the crowd was Mrs. Wood and I bet they guessed wrong because Mrs. Wood looks fiiiiiiine. I have no idea what the secret of her youth is. Working for years with children? That would have the very opposite effect on me, I fear.
I spent the early part of the evening hugging people and signing books, more hugging, more signing. I worried that I'd be too hoarse to read. Gin is not good for a pre-reading throat. A tip for the youngsters out there.
The very handsome boyfriend skipped out of his class early, brought me flowers and fetched me water when I expressed concern about my throat. He's so good to me. And he brought friends who bought books. He's a triple threat!
My best friend Julie introduced me and kindly refrained from pointing out that I was drinking at 8:30 PM the prior evening when I called to ask her to introduce me before my reading. (Thanks Jules!) And then I read for a very large number of people. It felt good, and I think the audience liked the excerpt. They laughed in the right places and even groaned in a good spot. Then I asked if anyone had questions, expecting that since people hadn't yet read the book, they wouldn't have questions.
I underestimated my audience. Those folks were full of questions, from process to editing, to Natalie's name and the nature of male-female relations (what?!). That last one threw me for a loop, but otherwise I felt it went well.
Then I signed a few more books, hugged some more folks, and devoured a Jamaican jerk sandwich because I was suddenly very hungry and very tired. After two and a half hours of being "on" I felt weary.
Jesse and Dick said the event went well and I think we sold some copies so huzzah!
Proof that I can sign my own name!
I can read. Thanks again, Mrs. Wood!
Comments
Awesome party - imagine all the people sitting somewhere/anywhere right now reading your book!
Thanks for the great reading and great book - we had a blast.
Posted by: Jesse | June 26, 2007 09:37 PM
You DO realize that when you post that I "kindly refrained" from pointing out that you were drinking at 8:30 PM the prior evening, everyone who reads your blog now knows your secret, right?
Posted by: Jules | June 27, 2007 12:26 PM
That was a really great opening night party for your book! Haley Booksellers really did a fantastic job and I loved the book! I hope it's a huge hit!
Posted by: Carrie Kaye | June 27, 2007 07:29 PM