Great Book Signing

On Saturday, August 4, my friend Josh Maday and I drove over to Lexington for my book signing at the Lexington Booksmith. What a great day. Jim and Sheila Dunbar really know how to host a signing. First, they had me during the Lexington Fine Arts fair. Second, they contacted the local newspaper. Third, they planned the signing for seven hours (a no-name writer can't sell many books in two hours -- which is the typical signing length). Fourth, they talked up the book to every customer that came in their store. Fifth, they bought not only me, but also Josh (to whom they were not beholden), coffee, potato chips, trail mix, pop, and bottled water. Jim also printed some great fliers about the signing, and would periodically walk down to the art fair to distribute them. Jim and Sheila could write a "how to" article on hosting book signings.

In short, the entire thing was pleasurable and a success. I sold twenty-two books in total. Plus, by selling sixteen copies of the novel, I hit another milestone. To date, Into the Desperate Country has sold 300 copies. I'm still a long way from 500 by next June, but I'm getting closer.

Finally, I'd like to say a big thanks to Josh Maday. What a great friend. He made the trip with me, sat at the table with me, and laughed and talked with me. It was his company that really made the day excellent. He's a helluva writer in his own right, too -- with many recent publication acceptances, including a story in Rivet -- a cutting-edge magazine that no writer worth his spit can say he hasn't heard of. Congrats, Josh, on all of your recent success.