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Monday, January 31, 2011

My First Author Event = Awesomeness!

I had my first author event on January 15th, the Saturday after my book was released. I went into this event completely excited and totally nervous, for a few reasons:

1. I was afraid nobody would show up. I had this image in my mind of me, sitting all excited at a table, surrounding by nothingness, then cue the crickets.

2. I didn't know what to expect. I've never been to an author event so really, what was expected of me?


My GOSSIP cake--chocolate!

So I get to the Barnes & Noble where it's being held and right away, I was greeted by such friendly people. The manager, staff, etc. And then I see my table. In the front of the store. Piles and piles of books stacked neatly on the table. Gulp. Was I supposed to sell ALL THOSE? I swear I broke out in a sweat. I mean, this seemed really overwhelming.

And then I learned the best thing ever--I would be getting free mochas from Starbucks during the event. Sweet!

The moment I sit behind the table, my table, I see a bunch of friendly faces in the crowd. People I know have come to see me! And they were actually there early, before me even. Minute by minute, people were filing in, a huge crowd gathered, a line formed even. Friends, family, people I knew from high school were there. Friends of friends that were told about the event showed up. Kids, girls and boys, grabbing books off the table.



I signed book after book, not really getting a breather, and I loved every second of it! Friends brought me flower bouquets, gifts, coffee mugs for writers....seriously? I'm doing something I've dreamt of my whole life AND getting gifts? It was totally unexpected and well, totally awesome.


My 2yr old, Sam, was my biggest supporter!

Every 30 minutes, the store would announce on the overhead that "Author Rose Cooper" was in the front of the store doing book signings. And they even read off a blurb about my book. I was in writers heaven. Then suddenly, right after the first hour, my husband said to me, "Um, we're out of books."


The first time the manager of B&N saw me, he said "I knew
you had to be Rose, you look just like your book!"

What?! I actually sit back and look at my table. He's right. The books are...gone. They even brought out extras from the back and off the shelves, and they all sold. So we started a list for people to order books (that I would come back and later sign). The manager said he never had an author event go so well and said I was the first author to sell out in the 5yrs he'd been there. Normally, authors sell under 20 books. I sold a total of 40, but said I could have easily sold more if we didn't run out.

I was estatic, to say the least. No more thoughts of me surrounding by nothingness or crickets chirping in the background. The event went better than I could have ever imagined.


My three boys and my hubby. I'm the luckies girl. ever.

20 comments:

Vicki Rocho said...

That's fantastic! It looks like you had a lot of fun.

Renae said...

I am so excited for you! What an amazing story!

Stina said...

Congrats on the impressive turn out! I've seen author's signing books at my local chain, but usually people just walk pass. If it were YA or a kid's book, I might stop to check it out. Maybe if the author offered cake, more people would stop. ;)

S.A. Larsenッ said...

The cake looks marvelous. You almost made me cry. I'm thrilled for you. You had your very own table. What a step up. Congrats!!

Unknown said...

ROSE! Oh how I've missed you! THIS WAS GREAT! I loved the pictures!!!! How fun! I'm so jealous everyone got to see you!!! I would have loved that!!!

I'm glad to know it went well! I have so much faith in you! You're going to continue to do amazing!

Kerri Cuev said...

FANTASTICAL!!! Wow what a great experience. Congrats to you!

Lindsay said...

Yay that sounds like a fantastic experience. And that cake looks like it was yummy ;D

Windy Aphayrath said...

Congrats on such a successful event!

Candyland said...

OMG ROSE!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!!Sounds fantastic!

Magaly Guerrero said...

Hooray! and CONGRATS! I can't wait to say the same; guess I need to get published firs, huh?

Back to writing to make it happen....

Jillian said...

I am soooo excited for you and really really proud of you!! I feel lucky to know you hahaha

congrats!!!!!

Golden Eagle said...

Congratulations! I'm glad to hear it went well! :)

Amie Borst said...

i KNEW it would be awesome! cause you're awesome :)

Michael Di Gesu said...

HOW EXCITING! I had a feeling you were going to do great!

CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy for you and anxiously waiting for my signed copy. I hope every store sells out and they have keep reordering. It's going to be a rosy year for you Rose.

May you have all the success you deserve,

Michael

Dawn Ius said...

Pure awesome! Congrats!!!!

Christina Ketchum said...

That is so cool! I am glad it was successful!!!

Melissa said...

This is so awesome!!! ANd SO EXCITING! Your family looks super cute.

Emily White said...

Yay! And you DO look like the cover of your book! :)

Will Burke said...

That is so awesome! I'm a little jelous, but mostly glad that it went well for you!

Serena said...

Congratulations!! Im so happy that you had such a great day and beng a sell out, and living your dream.

That cke looked amazing! Did u save us all a piece?? lol

have a great week

serena