First leg of tour in the rear view mirror

I set up two events for last week, bracketing personal business, as I never do anything for one reason! 

I had a signing event at the Barnes & Noble in Morgantown West Virginia, for sentimental reasons.  IT was okay, sold some books, met some old friends, I was underwhelmed at their enthusiasm at the store.  While they had promoted it on Facebook, they had not put it on their website, there were no signs announcing the signing (I am used to B&N putting up signs, even if occasionally misspelled), and only a single PA announcement.

Plus, they only ordered the softcover of QUINTESSENCE.  The hardcover outsells the softcover 4-1 online.  But I survived.

Then I had a reading at the Monongalia Arts Center (MAC).  Small crowd, but enthusiastic (sold more books), saw a few more old friends, and did my first ever public reading of The Sonnets of Grace, from QUINTESSENCE.  I had not read these aloud before.  I was very pleased with them and I think I did an adequate reading.

So, that's in the past, thanks to all who turned out, listened, bought books...

a day or two late, but earnestly trying to keep my word.

Still working on setting up the tour.  I have 8 venues I am waiting for further word on...4 I have locked in on specified dates, although I had to move the one at the Bokeh in Evansville, IN, from March 18th to the 11th, as the 18th of March is...St. Patrick's Day and the organizer was concerned about the drunkenness of the crowd.

If you know a venue for a reading or a signing:  schools, colleges, bookstores, coffee shops, bars, bordellos, churches, let them know and let me know.  Scheduling is NOT something that I enjoy, but it is a necessary evil.

May have to move the date of the Florida gig, as it is on Easter, which may skew the audience and means public transit will probably be much more expensive. 

Less than two weeks until I kick off on the 15th of February at the Barnes & Noble in Morgantown, WV.  Great thing about bookstore chain readings is I don't have to haul stock around with me.  I'm not, by nature, a peddler or merchant.