Book Signing at Waterstones, Coleraine

Isn't it lovely to meet people who support and encourage, instead of stacking obstacles in your way?
The wonderful folks at Waterstones in Coleraine are just the kind of people you want on your side, especially when you're a fairly clueless 'never-done-this-before-better-suited-to-the-life-of-a-hermit' type like me!
I arrived at the store about 15 minutes before the signing was about to start to find a lovely table stacked with my books right beside the till and a comfy chair just waiting for me to sit down and get started. Um, ok what do I do now? If I charge round there and hop onto the seat will I look too keen and desperate?  "Here, take a seat and get comfy," they said. Great, problem one solved!
I sat down, wriggled about a bit, wondered what I'd do if no-one turned up. Booksellers arrived, a camera was produced and photos were taken for the store's Facebook page. "Relax and enjoy it," I was told. "You'll do great. If you need anything, just ask."
Right. OK. I clasped and unclasped my hands, fiddled with my pen. Normal business went on around me and my throat started to get dry as I checked my watch and tried to check the door from the corner of my eye. Five minutes to go. Coffee appeared and I took a gulp. Phew, dry-throat problem solved!
Three minutes to go. 'No one's coming,' the sarky voice in my head whispered and it did that annoying 'Nelson' laugh 'Ha ha'.
I took another gulp of coffee and then... "Hi, Ashley!" "Where's the book?" "Do we pay at the till first?" "Can I get my photo taken with you?" "Have you signed any yet?"
The shop began to fill with smiling faces, I signed books, chatted, laughed, got photos taken, the newspapers arrived, more photos, more signing, lots more smiles, family arrived, more photos, lots of friends around, more photos, children hopping up onto my knee, signing more books and noticing the pile on the table going down and down and down...
And then it was all over, I was getting up off the seat again, pulling my jacket on and feeling like I'd just had the best daydream ever!
"We sold out," someone said with a grin.
Really?
Wow.
"Do you fancy coming back and joining some more authors at Halloween?"
Oh, yes please!!!

Chatting with my son and wondering what to do with my hands!

Signing!

Getting photos taken.

More signing!

Yep...more signing!

Big, big thanks to everyone who turned up to buy a book, or just to say 'Hello' - it was really kind of you to take time out of your Saturday to come and support me. And to the folks at Waterstones, Coleraine? You guys made another of my dreams come true! Thank you so much xx

Want to see some more pics? You can see some on my Facebook page Here or the Waterstones, Coleraine page Here (why not give them a 'Like' while you're there - they deserve it!)

Have I forgotten anything?

Okay so the countdown is on - after today there are just three more days until the book signing in Waterstones. Am I excited? Yes! Am I nervous? Yes! It's a bit like 'first date nerves' - butterflies in the tummy, a sense of delicious anticipation mixed with the horrible feeling that you're going to fall on your ass (been there, done that!) and totally embarrass yourself.

I'm excited because this is a big deal - signing books in my local (and favourite) bookshop. It's one of those big dream sequences that always seem like pie in the sky and it's actually going to happen! Wow. So, yeah, I'm excited - if I never get the opportunity to do anything like this again then at least I have this to look back on. If even 10 people come along and say howdy then I'll be a very happy bunny!

So what's to be scared about? Well, the obvious one is that no-one turns up! I mean, I'm not exactly Laurell K. Hamilton here. That would be the worst, I think - sitting alone, no-one to chat to, selling no books...eek! The staff of my local Waterstones have been so fabulous - supportive, encouraging, finding ways to sort problems out etc. etc. so I suppose part of my fear is letting them down - they've taken a pretty big chance on an unknown, self-published author - if no-one turns up and they sell nothing then I'll feel terrible!

The other obvious one is that people do turn up and are disappointed - not in the book, my ego is big enough to think that the book is a decent read, but I mean me. Ooh, let's not get into that - too many insecurities and what if's down that particular road. Let's just say that beauty and charisma are definitely NOT my middle names and we'll leave it at that.

So - I have my bookmarks ready, I have a pen ready (should I bring 2 just in case that one runs out, or is that wishful thinking?!), I have ancient make-up somewhere in the house, I'm getting my hair done, my friend is treating me to a manicure, the shop has books in stock on the off chance that someone buys one and wants it signed...have I forgotten anything?

Books 

Bookmarks to give out 

Pen 

Manicure 

Hair  

Make-up (kinda)


Something to wear.....SOMETHING TO WEAR???!!! uh oh!

Happy Easter!

Wherever you are and however you celebrate today - have a great day! 

Book Signing!

I'll be doing a 'Demon's Daughter' book signing in Waterstones, Coleraine on Saturday 21st April 2012 from 1pm so if you're in the area then please come along and say 'Howdy'. Can't wait!


A very thrilled me with my book in the store!