To Get the Ball Rolling

As everyone knows, for fiction writers, the best way to get the ball rolling (or so I've been told) is to start with a book signing. So you contact your local bookstore and ask them, nicely, if they're interested and usually they are, so you set up a date that's convenient for both of you. Then they order the books and a few weeks later they tell you everything is ready for the show. "Great!" you say, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. But are you ready? That's the big question. Although I've written six adult novels and numerous short stories and books for children, and have participated in all kinds of book signings at book stores, large and small, through the years, for a normally shy person like me just the thought of going through another one causes the butterflies to start jumping in my stomach.

The first big decision, of course, is always, what should I wear? Do I dress up or go casual? I usually try on five or six outfits, then go back to the one I picked out originally, a somewhat dressy top and tailored pants. Then pushing myself out the door it's off to the races. Fortunately my local bookseller knows I'm nervous and is up to the challenge. They always provide a nice place for me to sit with cozy chairs clustered around it for anyone who wants to visit, and coffee, soft drinks and snacks available for the hungry. Not all bookstores do this, of course. It's been my experience that the big chains, while friendly, don't knock themselves out for a writer unless you're a big-time, preferably a New York Times best-selling author. But most local booksellers do their best to take care of their own.

So you're there and now it's up to you to keep smiling, even when someone picks up your baby, reads the flaps (they certainly look interested)-- but alas, they sigh, put down the book and walk away. You take it in stride, telling yourself it's all part of the game, but being normal you can't help feeling a bit dejected. However, the next person in line, a pretty, white-haired lady, buys three books, yes, three, all at once. "For my granddaughters," she says, with a twinkle. "They love romantic-suspense novels and think you're one of the best." Of course you glow!

And it's moments like that that help you through the bore who informs you, in a loud, strident voice, that the publishing business is going to the dogs and he never buys books--although naturally he helps himself to the snacks; they're there, after all. Or how about the chatty little woman who talks your ear off and instead of the standard "Best wishes" dedication, wants you to write something long and flowery that she's composed herself on the dedication page.

So it goes and before you know it four hours have elapsed and your first book signing for the new book is over. But did you get the ball rolling? Well, you sold quite a few books and suddenly realize that you've enjoyed yourself and had quite a bit of fun--which is good, because in the next few weeks, or months, you'll do it over and over again.

Birth of the Book

After months of writing and editing, and writing and revising, I can finally announce that my new novel, "That Certain Summer", will be published by Author House in the next few weeks. Although this is the fifth adult novel I've written I can't say that the writing gets any easier. It's still a lot of work finding just the right words, but I feel I'm so fortunate to be able to do what I like best.

I can't say that any of the novels I've written have been best-sellers, but I know they've been read and enjoyed according to the many great reviews I've received, and what more can an author ask for? I plan to continue writing for as long as I'm able because I enjoy it, and not waste my time worrying about how many copies are sold, or chasing after that elusive thing called fame that sometimes follows. A wise person once said that if you've got two good friends in the world you've got something to feel good about. So as long as I can bring entertainment and enjoyment to even a few people that makes me happy, although, of course, being human, I hope "That Certain Summer" will be read by a lot of people.

I was telling my son just the other day that publishing a book is a little like giving birth--after that long gestation period you're absolutely thrilled to see it, and when the time comes you send it off into the world with high hopes and great expectations. And if it doesn't always live up to those expectations?--(everyone can't be president, after all) well, you still love it and hope for the best. So I hope you like my new baby,"That Certain Summer", and if you have time drop me a line at maryverdick@comcast.net. I'd love to hear from you, really.

Thanksgiving Beckons

So-o, the mid-term elections are finally over and I, for one, am really glad we won't be bombarded with anymore of those negative campaign ads. I don't know about you but they seemed worse this year than ever before, and I got a little sick of them to be honest. However, I do wish all the winners of both parties good luck, they'll need it, and pray they'll do the best for our great country.

But fall is here and there's a definite nip in the air. This morning I awoke to find snow on the ground (I live in Connecticut) but never mind. Thanksgiving, which has always been one of my favorite holidays is right around the corner. I used to spend an inordinate amount of time, it seems to me, thinking up a lovely centerpiece for the table. I'd read all the magazines for hints, hoping to find inspiration, and usually ended up with the old standby of a bowl of fruit and a few mums. Buying all that food and preparing it was challenging enough I'd decide--(now remember Chris won't eat green bean casserole and Fred dislikes anything with mushrooms), and I was pretty well exhausted getting all the loose ends together. However, when the great day finally arrived and everyone gathered around the table it was worth it, a hundred times over, seeing the smiling faces as they dug into the delicious turkey and all the trimmings. And for the last few years I haven't even had to cook, glory be, as various members of my family do the honors.

"You've done it enough times," they told me a few years back, and who am I to argue? So I bring a shrimp ring or little pigs in a blanket to nibble on beforehand, proving there are advantages to getting older.

Certainly one of the pluses of having a family of sweet, caring individuals such as mine is that they take an interest in you, and of course they all want to know about my new book, "That Certain Summer," which is just about ready to be published by Author House and will be ready for sale in a month or so. Waiting for a book to be published is a little like giving birth--the wait can be painful, but the finished product is well worth it. Anyway, as I've told you, "That Certain Summer," tells the story of Sally Grimes, a feisty girl from Iowa, who gets a dream job writing the life story of Diane Fenwick, a famous actress. She moves to a Gatsbyesque community in Connecticut (Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" is her favorite novel) and meets the actress's adorable twins, Meagan and Alec, and Rufus, a special dog, who is more intuitive than a lot of humans. She also falls in love with Ricardo, the handsome hunk next door, who is an honest-to-god count and a Princeton graduate, but is working as a handyman for the reclusive millionaire Morley-Watts, who suspects Diane is hiding something he desperately wants. What is Diane's connection to Ricardo, and why is Sally suddenly plunged into a dangerous situation she has no control over?

Naturally I hope this has whet your interest enough so that you'll want to read the book to find out, and I'll be on pins and needles to see how all you nice folks out there like it. Truthfully I can't wait to see the finished product myself and hold it in my hands. But in the meantime I hope you're all enjoying these beautiful fall days and that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Of course we'll all eat too much, but who cares? We're gathering together for the feast and that's the important part!