This week I had another first on my journey as an author. My book was read as a book club selection and I was asked to answer questions about it and about the publishing process.
It was a bit of a softball since it is a book club I am a member of and this was only it’s third meeting and the second book they’d read as a group. All of that didn’t matter. It was a first for me. Kim Janine Ligon got to talk about being a published author. I couldn’t have had a better place to have my first book club appearance.
I was nervous. So much so I ate a big lunch so I could skip dinner right before the meeting. I’d met with moderator last week and we’d drafted some reader questions about the book. Exactly like the kind you would find in the back of a famous author’s book published by a big name publishing company.
The moderator was fascinated by the fact that, like my character Polly, I am a spinner. So I brought pictures of my spinning wheel and loom and various bags of different types of fibers: Merino, Corriedale, Zwartbles, Chinchilla, Hemp, Cotton, Cashmere and some sample yarns I’d created. I explained one of the fun parts of spinning is naming your unique yarns. Like my two ply yarn made of one ply of a yarn from a fiber named Sycamore and another ply of a yarn from one named Mojito, I dubbed Cocktails Under the Trees.
We talked about my journey to publication and even had time for some of the questions about the book. One woman said she knew who CJ was because she had a son like him whose heart had been softened by love. The women had such kind words for Polly’s List. I was humbled to hear them. Several women were encouraged by my success with The Wild Rose Press and had renewed interest in pursuing their own publishing dreams. At one point, I was overwhelmed and a little teary. It was amazing and I so appreciate it.
I have an invitation from another group. Next month I’ll be making an author appearance at a second book club meeting. I’m doubly excited after such a wonderful experience this week.
My journey keeps getting more interesting. This July 3rd my second book will be published. “Landing On Her Feet” is also set in Lansdale, Wisconsin. While it’s not a series, you’ll recognize some of the locations and some of the people you met in “Polly’s List.”
The extra special exciting news is if you are in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area you will be able to come to the
Barnes and Noble in Midtown on
Saturday, July 15th from Noon – 4 p.m. this is a revised date!
and get your autographed copy of “Landing On Her Feet” at my book signing before it will be available to ship from online retailers on July 3rd.
I hope no one pinches me. I don’t want to wake up from this dream!!!