Last Saturday was kind of a crazy day for me. I had my event at Auntie’s bookstore in downtown Spokane. Honestly, I was really nervous that no one would show up at all.

I brought about twice as many books as I expected to sell, and had a little notebook on hand just in case I sold more than that amount. I just couldn’t see having a ton with me and going home with a big box of sadness. So my editor and I looked up the amount we should probably have on hand, especially since this was my first rodeo, and I doubled that.

Guess what, guys?

I sold all of them! *technically, the bookstore was left with one copy, but I went home with zero.

I was lucky that I had an amazing graphic designer helping with my presentation. I was told by the staff that everything was really impressive and professional, which basically means I can fake it pretty well. 

And then my event coordinator dropped a bomb on me… I’d been double booked. They had me jotted down for a reading and Q&A at 7pm, too. Was I interested?

(Cue Panic)



This wasn’t something I expected. At all. I glanced at my editor (my inspiration for Pearl– she is truly an amazing force of nature who always gets stuff done) who arched a brow in a way that basically said ‘you’re doing it.’ After that, we had a quiet discussion (between signing my name and talking with fans) in which she gently encouraged me. We flagged the event coordinator over, told her I’d do it, and that was that. I was committed. My introversion was screaming at me– what the heck was I doing? I wasn’t prepared for this, mentally or otherwise. I didn’t even know what I was going to read!

We grabbed dinner during our break with what kind of became my entourage (very good, very supportive, very amazing friends) and decided that the first chapters were the simplest and best for this particular night.

And then it happened– I got up to read. And most of the audience was complete strangers– an anomaly because I’d been told that I’d probably only have friends there to watch me.

I swallowed my fear, read the best that I could, and finished right on time. Then came the Q&A… and I had a blast. Seriously, if this was a decent cross section of the public reading my book, these people are amazing. They asked insightful questions about my process, personal questions, questions about the industry, and questions about my books. 

So to everyone who made it out this weekend and chose to spend their Saturday with me, I’m honored. Thank you all for making my first author event magical.