Jill Jones, my wonderful friend, mentor and multi-published author got the photos she took to me yesterday so I can now write a bit about how the book signing/reading went! I’m happy again just thinking about it and the thirty-odd people who showed up for it. There was a cost because it was a “tea” as well, and that was quite beyond touching for me to have so many pay to hear me read, and for those who hadn’t already, to buy the book.

My father came. My mother and my other dad, and my sister and her husband, too. Jill Jones and her family were also in attendance. It was such a joy to see all the friends of friends, meet new ones, and to see friends I hadn’t seen in years. Dorothy Handy, a dear friend of my grandmother and mother, drove up from North Georgia for the event.

We ate a scrumptious “tea” with champagne to begin with, then finger sandwiches and sweet goodies, all homemade and catered by the great staff at the Monte Vista Inn in Black Mountain, NC, where the reading was held.

I thought I would feel jitters and be too nervous to read well. I’d spent literally the entire morning practicing, and though I still stumbled a few times, I think I did rather well for a first time. To begin, I played Sarah Brightman’s “The Last Words You Said To Me” (Music: Richard Marx, Lyrics: Janey Clewer), which was a huge inspiration for me while writing the novel. I then began to narrate and read. I suppose I read for about 15 minutes standing at the tall table they’d put at the end of the long table where everyone sat to eat. Standing was a good thing in that venue. I didn’t worry about if I could be heard or not and it took my mind off of what I was doing!

I know what I will do differently next time (which will be November 5^th at the South Georgia Regional Library in Valdosta from 2 to 4 pm!). I learned this can be a fun experience, and I learned much from the time spent with "my" readers. Not to mention all the books I sold! I thank you all very kindly for participating in my first “major” event as an author. I thank Sue Conlon at the Monte Vista for a wonderful “tea” and location; Jill Jones for her faith and belief in me, and my family for their support of me in this endeavor and their love which is always there. I feel so blessed! Check out my photos on this site. I've posted some of the 'reading' for you to see.