Book Fairs, the Little White Lie, and Unexpected Joy

But I Digress...April 2024

Hello Dear Reader!

Is it finally spring where you are? Here in Minnesota, a couple of spring snowstorms blew in well after we’d packed our shovels away and debated bringing out the porch furniture. That’ll teach us! March came in like a lamb and went out like a lion. But the thaw seems permanent and the first of the summer migratory birds have returned, which makes me so happy!

Also: I survived my first book fair! Truth be told, I’m not necessarily cut out for book fairs. As a friend pointed out, I had to be ON for eight hours, between my time as a “vendor,” and my last-of-the-day workshop presentation on writing, publishing and selling memoir. I’m one of those people who exerts an unnecessary amount of stress just getting to a new venue, so by the time I arrived, I was ready for a nap.

But I digress…

I learned a lot about book fairs that day!

I was fortunate to be placed next to a couple of really fun authors. We talked about how challenging it is to market and sell our books. Like most authors, I think we’d be most happy if someone else could take on that task. But there we were, hustling to attract potential book buyers. We had some great laughs and I learned about the biggest “little white lie” that gets told at book fairs:

“I’ll be back later to buy your book…”

It’s expressed in different ways:

“I’m waiting until I’m ready to go so I don’t have to lug a bunch of books around.”

(Makes sense.)

“I left my wallet in the car.”

(REALLY????)

Needless to say, I got excited anytime someone “committed” to buy my book. And when all was said and done, I sold eight and traded two. And my presentation seemed well received, despite me getting to the room late and muddling through technical challenges.

The very next day, I ran Fuji and Watson in an informal retriever event. Did I want to? Not really. I was exhausted and the weather was colder than I’d hoped. But I’d committed in my mind to getting them out there, so out we went. I won’t bore you with the details, but Watson surprised the heck out of me with his very joyful performance. And Fuji did not disappoint, winning one of the divisions in which he was entered.

As you read this, I’m finishing my packing for our first camping trip of 2024. We’re heading to the deep south to catch up on dog training that went on the back burner last summer when I found myself overwhelmed with the book launch. Traveling with the dogs brings me so much joy, so I’m chasing more of that this year. Here’s a photo from our mini trip last fall:

Speaking of Crossing Fifty-One, I just hit 70 Amazon reviews and I’m so grateful! Did you know that you can also post a photo of yourself with the book on social media and spread the word that way! Every little bit helps. Look at this photo from a library in the Virgin Islands!

That’s it for now. Wishing you all good things!

~ Debbie

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BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Fiction:

I first read this book when I was somewhere between 8 and 10 years old. Last summer I checked the eBook out of my local library. I loved this passage—especially as a writer—because description is really hard for me.

Then, I splurged and bought myself the 50th Anniversary hardcover. Some books you just have to hold and cherish forever.

Nonfiction:

Over the winter, I read the biography of Louise Fitzhugh and was quickly drawn into her fascinating, but unfortunately all-too-short life. This book, along with many other books and shows that I’ve devoured over the past six months or so, is a stark reminder of how it wasn’t that long ago that huge numbers of people lived varying degrees of hidden lives. Louise was not one of them, but she still struggled with insecurities and excessive alcohol use.

Do you have a podcast to recommend? Reply to this email so I can spread the word!