My first book signing at Childress Public Library ended with one book left, an invitation to dinner, and a question about whether I had ever eaten calf fries. Somewhere between signing books and getting home, I also acquired a pair of cold, tea-soaked pants. There was quite a bit going on.
But first, the books.
Or, more accurately, waiting for the books.
The ten copies coming from IngramSpark weren’t scheduled to arrive until November 6. The signing was November 5. Close, but you can’t sign a tracking number.
So that morning, Linda and I updated our shop to accept advance orders for signed copies. We also added a pickup option so local buyers could enter their own information, pay online, and arrange to get their books when the shipment arrived. Those purchases would still count toward the library benefit.
We tested the payments, checked the checkout, and found a tax setting that needed fixing. Apparently, preparing for a book signing includes making sure you haven’t accidentally declared yourself a tax-free republic.
Then it was time to pack.
A woman came to the signing after seeing the library’s post online. She had bought Midnight Radio from Amazon and brought her copy for me to sign. She said they had sent it by slow boat.
Hmm. That sounded familiar.
There is something special about seeing someone walk in carrying a copy of your book. That one had already found its way into the world without me standing beside it.
One of my ARC readers came by and bought three copies for his family.
He was the only person there besides me who had read the novel, so Whitney took the opportunity to question him about it. He answered while trying to keep things spoiler-free. Buying three copies for his family was a recommendation I understood.
A coworker stopped in on his way to his mother’s birthday party and bought her a copy. He also helped me carry my gear in.
A former supervisor came in with his wife, and they bought two copies. He helped me carry my gear out afterward. Between the two of them, they supported both the book and my back.
Books going home with people. Books going to birthday parties. Books being given to family members. I spent fourteen years writing this thing, and now people are deciding who else ought to read it.
That takes a little getting used to.
Whitney from The Childress News was there taking pictures of the signing and being pleasant. It was good to see her. Sara took some pictures afterward, too.
It was cold outside, but warm inside the library.
The table came together just as I had hoped: the radio, the glowing lantern, the video playing off to the side, and Midnight Radio standing in the middle of it all.
On the radio, I played Electra’s Midnight Radio theme along with a recording of me calling Art Bell. I asked my ARC reader whether he remembered the scene from the book.
He asked if it was the audiobook.
“No, that’s the legendary Art Bell,” I said. “Do you know who that is?”
“Nah.”
“Yes. It’s the audiobook.”
JERRY ADAMS ON ART BELL
My call to Art Bell · 10 minutes, 36 seconds
Then there was the AlphaSmart.
People seemed apprehensive about him. I had brought a horror novel, a mysterious video, and a radio, but the little word processor was apparently the thing to watch.
He behaved himself.
Afterward, I was invited to a steakhouse downtown, where someone asked whether I had ever eaten calf fries.
I had not.
Now I have.
I didn’t want anyone pulling my Texan card after my first book signing. That would have complicated an otherwise pleasant afternoon.
Then someone spilled a glass of tea, and it went all over my pants. My cheeks were cold and sticky. I had come prepared to discuss horror, but apparently there was also a practical demonstration.
Thank you to Summer, Sara, everyone at Childress Public Library, and everyone who came by. Thank you for buying books, bringing your own copies, visiting, and making this first signing something I’ll remember.
All of my royalties from the signing go to the library. The benefit also continues through November 7 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time for signed copies purchased through midnightrad.io, including advance orders. Local buyers can choose pickup, and I’ll contact them when their signed copies are ready.
I’m looking forward to continuing the tour. As soon as the next venue is booked, I’ll post the details. I hope to see you there!
Midnight Radio came home to Childress.
I came home needing different pants.
