Writer published, book signing proves highly successful

So the last week was a whole new world for me.  My short story, “Dad’s Tomatoes” is part of the new “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad” anthology.

There’s been some publicity from this.

This week has been a blur. Monday, I was on East Texas Live, where I was interviewed, well, live.

There was no prepping whatsoever.  I sat out in the waiting room until 11:13 (I was scheduled to go on at 11:15).

Then, someone came out, told me my one instructory sentence (don’t look at the camera) and I was put on the couch, had a mike put on my collar, I think, Hey, that went ok ... until I watched the playback.

The camera was set on a weird angle, so in addition to looking somewhat pregnant, my forehead was really sweaty looking and my blouse was, well, weird.

I resembled Nixon on the debate with Kennedy. For those of you who don’t get my reference, I’m too tired to explain.

Next the book signing.  The folks at the Barnes and Noble on campus (the new one in the brand-spankin’ new University Center) are super nice, especially Dana, the manager, and they were all ready for me.  I had a poster and everything.

The signing started at eleven, and I actually had a fan.  As in, not one of my friends who came from pity.

She thought I was going to speak.  Yeah, no ... but still, it was nice of her to come.  I had visions all week of me, sitting at a little folding table, humming the old song, “All By My ... seleleffff ... don’t wanna be...all by myself ... anymore.”  I was a little worried people would just assume I worked there and only come over to ask where the bathroom was located.

Anyway, I can get myself really worked up about these kinds of things.

First, I’ll check the date a hundred times or so, in case I wrote it down wrong.  It might sound roughly OCD, but just ask my dentist, it’s totally happened.

I didn’t want to show up at the bookstore saying, “So ... I’m here for the signing ...” and have them look at me blankly while the manager slips off quietly to call security.

But, apparently I did have the right day because it went great.  Thanks to my buddies that did stop by to keep me company, especially Jacque and Hattie from the Talon, who were coming on their own and not for the paper and Dr. Ann Beebe with her nice parents.  I really appreciate it.

The downside was I had to work last night and was entirely unprepared for how tired I was going to be when getting ready for work. I told my husband “I think I know how Lindsey Lohan feels. Except without the millions of dollars.

Maybe I should be admitted to the hospital for exhaustion.”    He only rolled his eyes and went back to his video game.

Then I had to go wash the dishes like the commoner I am.

Oh how fame is fleeting!