Chapter 11
Book signings terrified Edie on any number of levels. She feared that the only people who would talk to her were customers seeking the bathroom or the poetry section of the store. It worried her that nobody would show up and she’d feel responsible for the amount of books that had been ordered by the store on her behalf.
She was afraid she’d somehow make an ass out of herself and for years after people would talk about the goofy crime writer they’d once met in a bookstore.
She knew these fears were irrational. Oh, she could always count on somebody to ask her where the restroom was, and the books that didn’t sell could be sent back to the publisher. She rarely made an ass out of herself on any occasion.
As Jake pulled into the parking lot behind the large bookstore and came to a stop next to her car, a burst of adrenaline flooded through her veins. She knew it was an adrenaline that would be with her until the signing was over, leaving her exhausted from being ‘on’ for the next couple of hours.
“You okay?” Jake asked as he got out of his car and joined her at her driver door.
“As okay as I ever am at these things.” She gathered her purse and a handful of flyers from the passenger seat. “I just want to make Terri, my agent and my editor all happy today.”
“Try to take a minute and feel some happiness for you,” Jake said, making her smile with appreciation for the man who was such an integral part of her life.
The heat of the day rode their shoulders as they crossed the parking area. As they walked into the front door she was grateful to see that the store was busy. Terri had set up a lovely table with a bright yellow tablecloth, a bouquet of fresh flowers and stacks of her books.
Terri greeted them with a bright smile. “We already have several people in the store who have just been waiting for you to arrive.” She checked her wristwatch. “You’re a bit early. I expect you’ll have a line forming within the next ten minutes or so.”
Edie thrilled at the fact that she was in a place in her career where a line of people would form, people all waiting to meet her and get her latest release. It was a culmination of hard work and an unwavering dream. She turned as Jake touched her shoulder. “I’m going to go get a cup of coffee and then I’ll just lurk in corners until you’re finished.”
She flashed him a grateful smile. He knew the last thing she needed to worry about was if he was bored. He’d make himself comfortable and she wouldn’t have to give him another thought until it was time to go home.
Even though she was a little early, she decided to go ahead and get started. As Jake drifted toward the coffee area of the store, she sat at the table and put out her flyers, then pulled her favorite signing pen from her purse.
Immediately an older woman with gray hair stood before her. “Oh, I’m so thrilled to meet you. I’ve read all your books, including the one you wrote about your sister and I can’t wait to read this one.”
“Thank you,” Edie said. “I appreciate your support. Would you like me to sign a copy to you?”
“Oh please, make it out to Doris. Your books make me feel like I’m right in the thick of things, like I know all the people personally.”
And so it began.
The next hour flew by as Edie was kept busy selling books and chatting with fans. It was an exhilarating experience. She spent so much of her time alone in front of her computer, with only email contact with fans. Meeting them in person, feeling their enthusiasm for her work was like a stimulating drug.
Unfortunately she knew these personal book signing days were becoming a thing of the past. With the explosion of digital books and the closing of so many
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