Today, I arrived at 1:30 for my 2 pm book reading and signing at the Ojai Public Library. I met Ellie, the librarian, who escorted Ray and me to the meeting room, and we worked out all the logistics: thermostat, seating, bathroom location, etc., then put out my in-law Cindy’s excellent cookies along with mineral water. At ten until two with not a soul in sight, I laughed out loud. “What if nobody comes?” No doubt Ray said something witty or wise, but that was lost on me since at that moment the door opened and in walked Tyler and Anna, a lovely young couple who work at the Attitude Adjustment shop where we take our packages to mail for eBay and also have a mailbox. Shortly after, daughter Liz, son-in-law Ron, and grandson Ethan arrived. We waited until 2:05—concluded this might be our group—and I officially started more of a relaxed conversation than a book reading.

Tyler is a young writer, and his wife, Anna, is an avid reader. They are both in their mid-30s. We sat together at a table with Ray, Ron, Liz, and Ethan, and had a lively discussion, first about the difference in books “inspired” by real life (mine) versus autobiographical fiction (books that stick to the truth except for changes in names of characters, locations, and a few other small details). We spent the rest of the time hearing about Tyler’s novel and problem-solving with him on ideas for places he is currently stuck in the writing. It was fun and a nice change from reading excerpts of my book. I enjoyed getting to know them better.

Ellie, the librarian, said that the hot temperatures right now could have been a factor for the low turnout. The forecast called for a high of 105 today, but I think it was not nearly as warm as predicted. Still, nobody is too eager to venture outside when it’s close to 100 degrees. The second reason is that I have not yet built a real friend network here. We are still attending church in LA at St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood, and the Episcopal church here in Ojai would be a natural way to make new friends. Plus, I’m sure I’ll soon stumble upon a writer or two here, which is another easy connection for me. So far, I’ve been too busy to care. It’s heartening to see that the two friends I have made here in Ojai made the effort to come, and we all had a wonderful time. That’s good enough for me.

Learning how to get my book in front of the public is a totally new experience for me. With such great attendance at my first two readings at St. Thomas, the Apostle, and also at Book Soup, I was due for a reading/signing that is more typical of debut authors. This is all part of the process and teaches me how to roll with the punches. I’m just glad I now have a little reprieve before heading back “on the road.” My next event is in Sherman, Texas, on September 10th at Austin College, followed by a reading at an English bookstore in Barcelona in October, then Vroman’s in Pasadena after returning from Spain. At the moment, having them nicely spaced like that sounds great.

Thanks, friends, for all of your support of my book and book marketing. I promise I’ll write about other things beginning tomorrow. Still, I am savoring these experiences. What a treat to be learning all of these new things, so I can apply them for my second novel. Yes, I certainly am planning on a second. Working on it little by little already.

With that, I’ll wish you a good night. Sleep well, my friends. We’ll talk again tomorrow.