I've experienced surprises at book signings. At my very first book signing at the library in Winter Haven, Florida, a homeless man approached to say he liked mysteries and crime stories. We discussed favorite authors. He said he liked crime stories but not gory ones. Mine, I said, are not gory. He read the back cover and asked how much the books cost. I told him they were $10 each. He nodded and left.
A few friends I had not seen in months arrived to buy books, hug me, and chat. While I was signing the books, the homeless man returned and waited in line. I introduced him to my friends as a reader who loves mysteries and crime stories. They discussed their favorite authors while I signed the fellow's book.
Finding common ground, they debated which authors were the best of the best. It was a magical moment.
Book Clubs Large and Small
At the Highlands Book Club in Highlands, North Carolina, the ladies were excited about having their first "live guest author" at a meeting. Most had read North of the Killing Hand. They had questions about the characters, the research, and where the idea from where the story originated, and then I signed books.
One lady handed me her copy and asked me to personalize it with her first name. I always sign the false title page, so when I turned to it, it was already signed and personalized to her by name.
"Do you want me to sign it again?" I showed her the page.
She gasped and said she bought the book used online.
What are the odds? I signed it again.
I've conducted in-person and Zoom presentations with book clubs. The largest book club was the Grace Lutheran Book Club in Winter Haven, Florida, which had 100 attendees. They requested I read the first scene and answer questions, which was followed by book signings.
The smallest book club was in Webster, New York, and my contact was Peggy Munro. They read South of Justice. When I asked them to send me a photo of their group, they had the Zoom image of me on an iPad in the group photo. Such thoughtful ladies!
Random Requests
And then there are the impromptu book signings. Like the time a lady from Texas chased me down at SUN 'n FUN Fly-In & Expo to sign a book. I write for General Aviation News and I'm an instrument-rated private pilot.
With airplanes and reading in common, Dr. Marli White and I became friends.
I've been tracked down at church and at a cook-out to sign a book. Always a pleasure to meet someone who supports my writing habit.
Girlfriends & Chocolate
Of all the book signings over the years at conferences and book clubs, the most successful one was at Victory Church in Lakeland, Florida. The church hosts a Girlfriends & Chocolate event each year that draws in ladies from many local churches to hear a national guest speaker. This year's speaker was Lisa Harper, whom Max Lucado calls "one of the best Bible tour guides around."
Victory Church invited me to sell my contemporary Christian suspense series, the Compass Crimes, in the lobby. I signed and sold 150 books. My finest book-signing ever! These are my people.
At that signing two ladies surprised me. One had been the hospice caregiver for my father-in-law and years later for my mother-in-law. There's no way to thank a person enough for such valuable care. We hugged. I got something in my eye... The other lady is a relative to a dear friend who died in 2021. We hugged. Again, I got something in my eye...
My friend Dawn Dick handled the payments for this signing. She's a gem!
Thank you, readers. Without you, I'm just scribbling stories no one will read. You bring me joy. A special THANK YOU to all who leave brief reviews on social media and retailer websites!
