Can I use a more boring title? I don’t know. I’m too tired to think of one. I’m also too wired to not write; so, I write. Don’t be surprised. How else do you think a writer can unwind, especially after such an energetic event. For those who weren’t following the social media news (a niche) for Whidbey Island (a niche within a niche) for local authors (a niche within a niche within a niche) Sno-Isle Library System held a book fair at the Clinton Community Hall today. Thank you, Sno-Isle! (Including all of the individuals showed up to help make it happen.

Here’s a non-literary somewhat random romp through my perception of the event.

One measure of how good it was: I didn’t get to visit many of the other 35-ish authors because I was so busy at my table. I think I moved about six feet at most – except for a hug or two from friends who dropped by.

Oh yeah. It was a two-hour event. It could’ve been longer for me. But here’s a peek behind the curtain. It seems like it could just be grab some books, show up, spread them out on a table, have a seat, pack up, go home. Grab some books? Go back several weeks to order more. Prepare signs. Spread the word through social media. Get there two hours early so we can all cycle through the parking lot, then vacate it to save space for the visitors. Set up. Try to make it look nice. Realize something will be left behind. Shrug. Have fun talking to folks for two hours. Walk to where the car was parked. Drive back. Pack up. Get home. Change clothes. Simmer dinner. Reorganize things that got dumped into boxes. Slurp dinner. Put books in boxes back into storage. Procrastinate the bookkeeping. And three hours after the event is over, start writing this post as a way to unwind. The drink I told myself I’d make is another procrastination. Ah, business life as an author.

By the way, book events were easier when I had one book and less experience. I know have 18 different books to sell. That’s acreage in tablecloth, nicely loaned by the library folks. Eighteen books also feel like tonnage. Groan. I might have to buy one of those collapsible hand trucks.

Prepare for embarrassment, like selling a book about personal finance (Dream. Invest. Live.) and forgetting to have cash and change for sales.

Also, prepare for blushing because sometimes compliments look like this (for Firewatcher):

But I had a good pen! A must for signatures.

Breath. Even now, breath, which proves to me how energized these events make me.

Quickly remember lots of smiling faces, waves across the room, hand shakes, a few of those hugs, and a lot of straining to hear a question over the hubbub of the crowd.

Literally beside the hubbub was also some sweet music played by Andre Feriante, who was quiet about being a writer. Andre, thanks for the book!

Bring a stool. I have a folding stool so it is easier to get up if someone wants to talk. Not everyone asks questions. Books inspire thoughts and memories and I try not to get in the way of that. Side note: I think I left the stool outside the hall while I got the car, but I don’t remember putting it back into the car. Cost of doing business, eh?

They had mocktails! And I had a thermos of tea. But then, I wrote a book about tea, so that was a conversation starter. As well as my MargaritaVille shirt that is a souvenir from my bike ride across America (Just Keep Pedaling), my PretendingNotToPanic.com mug, and the slideshow of my photos (which I think kept going to black behind my back.

That’s more than enough, or maybe not. I’m starting to unwind. A yawn just told me so. Good. But, to me, the big thing was the community on Whidbey Island. The visitors and shoppers buying local books and art make it possible for Whidbey to be a creative place. The library system that hosts an event brought us together in ways that haven’t been happening while someday a writers association will rise again. Writers and authors there talked about writing groups, classes, and events. The Island Arts Council has a place for literary arts. There are a few writing groups on Facebook, but I’ll just pass along the one I know about most: Whidbey Authors. And there’s the podcast that I helped start but which is now under new management: writingonwhidbeyisland.com. Thinking of the variety of people there this evening makes me think the writing and reading community are reaching critical mass again. Yes!

And I think that’s the last of my energy for typing this note. Pardon typos. It’s late and there are still photos and links to add. But truly, to writers and readers and anyone who contributes to community – Thank you.

Now, where’s that drink? Or will I fall asleep before I get to it?

Curiosity: Started the car 2PM. About to publish this 10:30PM. It’s almost as if this takes work. Oh yeah, and I haven’t done the bookkeeping. Busy. Busy. G’night. And it was.

PS One comment that I am still mentally processing; “Hey! There’s that dude.” Evidently I’m a dude. I don’t think I’ll put that on my resume, but thanks.