Adventures on the High Seas

Okay, maybe not the high seas, but how about a high mountain? 

A few days ago I was the guest author at a book club. All these ladies, save one, drove what my granny would have called "a fer piece" to get there. 

You see, one of their members moved here a few years ago. I spoke at an event, she heard me, bought a book or two and loaned one of those books to the president of the book club she had belonged to when she lived south of Atlanta. 

Madam President like the book, suggested to the book club I might be a good candidate to speak at their book club, and they all agreed. Plus, they could come to their friend's house that sets on the river, eat some good food, buy some apples, and have a jolly good time. 

I was honored and happily agreed. Since I haven't been released by the doctor to drive yet, Husband had the honors of driving. Luckily, the hostess had a husband and the men folk entertained each other during lunch.

Let me back up a little. There was a car load of folks and I believe a van load. The van followed the car. Well, they were supposed to. The trip is already two and a half hours. The van full of women looked up around Ringgold and figured something might be a little wrong. Well, yes. There certainly was. 

Someone finally answered their cell phone and our hostess told them to exit in Ringgold, go to Dalton and come to Ellijay that way. Her husband would meet them at the Dairy Queen - after waiting forever at CVS, hauling the first load of women in, and taking back off to wait some more.

When the ladies finally  arrived, they explained how they  missed the turn to  Hwy. # 575. A. They were talking and didn't see their friends exit. B. They were talking and didn't like the GPS voice interrupting, so they turned it off. C. They were talking and forgot to turn their cell phones on. 

Did I mention when all these ladies got out of the car, they were all blondes, down to the last hair?

Anyway, we had a great time, I sold a bunch of books and we laughed like crazy. 

Thank you, ladies.

Blondes, unite!

Busy, Busy!

Boy, I have had a busy time!

I spoke at a book club on Thursday as their guest author. What fun! If you have never done this, put it on your bucket list. All ya gotta do is write a book and get invited to one.

I had a doctor's appointment on Friday, and afterwards we went to see "War Room". It goes to show you don't have to be a Hollywood star, or spend a billion dollars on a film to make it good. 

We ate out several times, and my kitchen is still a total wreck. Even if we are only in and out, it seems like the old kitchen just can't stay clean.

Husband picked green beans, which I cooked today. I don't think I've ever cooked anything fresh from our garden on October 3 before. 

The above made the kitchen worse, so I  unloaded the dishwasher, loaded it back up and started it. There are still dishes in the sink.

Have you noticed it's raining? No? What the heck is wrong with you??

Other Brother went to the Braves game last night. He was only slightly drowned. 

Okay, I've put it off long enough. To the kitchen I go! Charge.

Really.

Book Club!

I've always wanted - longed, actually - to be a part of a book club. It sounds so sophisticated, so urban, so posh.

Yesterday I finally got to attend a book club meeting.

The discussion was about the book, "Out on a Limb of the Family Tree" by Kathi Harper Hill.

Hey! That's me!  Wow, just wow!!!!

Some were in the process of reading the book, one person had not read it at all, and others had completed the book.

I was one of the ones who had finished the book. But just barely. I thought I'd never get that sucker finished.

However; I've read it since I finished writing it, and if I do say so myself, it's a pretty good book. IF: a. you like Appalachia b: you like southern humor and c: you enjoy reading about generations of family and their relationships with one another.

It's not a mystery book, or a whodunit, or a love story. Unless you consider the love of family, then it is a love story.

So, like, I thought I might be on the hot seat, but that really didn't happen. There was lively discussion, lots of laughter, and really intelligent questions.

I could even answer some of them.

Ha!

They were kind enough to let me read from the first chapter of my new book (not out yet), "The Year of Nine: Where the Rain Begins".

They laughed while I read.

One can only hope they were laughing at the contents in the sense that they thought it was amusing and not "she actually thinks this book will sell?"

It was hard to believe an hour and a half  had passed and it was time to pack up and leave.

Who knows?

Maybe they'll let me come back again when my new book comes out.

Meanwhile, I think I''ll enjoy being a part of the audience.

I bet you'll see how much more sophisticated I am the next time we run into each other.

Books

As you know, I love books.

And for the past two days, all I've talked about are books. My books, specifically.

Having written five and working on my sixth, it is exciting to have someone who actually wants to talk about them.

Yesterday, I talked to my publisher, kicking around ideas about upcoming book signings with other authors who have books about Christmas. What a neat idea! Christmas books, cookies, punch, little kids running around, Santa...I don't know, it sort of gets me in the spirit of the season.

Today I talked to another author who was having a book signing in a neighboring county. He introduced me to the owner of the store, who welcomed me, agreed to look over my books for possible purchase and sales, and even invited me to have a book signing there.

The fellow author also told me of another place that sells local author books, which I will check out in the near future.

I'm not much of a salesperson, I don't have a lot of physical stamina, and I can't afford a publicist. So most of my books sell by word of mouth.

And if you have read and like my books, that would be your mouth.

If you are a member of a book club that has speakers from time to time, I'd love to be a guest. If there's one thing I can do besides write, it's talk.

Even if I never sell another book, I will keep on writing.

Because, you know, I have to.