Labor Day weekend started off as a surprise for one of our cousins in the family but was ultimately a mini-family reunion. I think there were about twenty of us all staying in one AirBnB. This might sound like a nightmare- it was actually one of the best family vacations I’ve ever had with my kids. They had their cousins to occupy them. There were other adults to help reign them in or feed them. Auntie-Cousins that are so amazing with kids that I was truly able to relax and enjoy the trip instead of constantly battling the mental load of managing everyone. Those of us with kids had a day at Disneyland and we even had a family field day where we had a bunch of events, including tug-of-war, musical chairs and some cup game that my youngest daughter absolutely smashed! But one thing that was NOT on the weekend itinerary was a second surprise, which was my first Meet-the-Author and Book signing event.
I still don’t know if it was truly organic that I volunteered to take the kids to go buy water guns and then a bunch of random other things or if they simply knew that I would volunteer on my own. But when the girls and I returned and my youngest daughter answered the door and said, “Welcome to your book signing,” to say I was shocked and surprised is an understatement. I walked in to see everyone gathered together smiling and laughing and ready to participate in a meet-the-author event, armed with thoughtful questions about my process and author journey. I now know why 11 of my books were purchased the week prior over the course of two days!
This was one of the best surprises of my life and the love and support I felt from this amazing family I married into is something I’ll never forget. They were engaged the entire time and my nerves quickly dissipated after the first few questions. I was comfortable during the Q&A and didn’t feel sheepish as I read a short passage from the book…out loud, in character voices, no less! I realized that I enjoyed that part very much. I felt like I was giving a behind the scenes peek into the scene as I recounted either the real life events that inspired it or how it related to other parts of the story. We ended it by signing a book for every adult there. That was probably the biggest struggle because I wanted to make each book personal. And I usually need more time to gather my thoughts. Overall, my first author signing was a success! All thanks to my family. I’m so very grateful for them to even think of celebrating me as part of this weekend.
At any rate, my feet are wet and I’m ready to do this again!
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