I had the honor of being at a small bookstore named The Next Chapter and doing a signing there on 10 May 2024.
I was able to sell a few books to those who entered, it was on a Friday during the afternoon, and many people were at work or driving past to go home. Of course, the days' customers are always a toss-up, and some days are busier than others. I did meet a nice family who purchased a book, and also a woman who'd never had a signed book before. It was her birthday the day before, and as I was writing my usual signing phrase with Lost in Shadow, with "Happy Reading!" under it, she saw me writing happy and went "OH! You're writing Happy Birthday, that's so nice!" I wrote it underneath. I usually don't write names or personal messages in books, because I've gone to thrift stores where I've seen a book I want to read and when I pick it up, it has someone else's name in it, so I put it back. It feels weird to own a book originally meant for someone else, at least, in my opinion. I've written notes on a piece of cardstock and put it with the book after signing the book, which seems to go over well. She also won the drawing for the Lost in Shadow tumbler, and she told the owner of the store that she'd never won anything before. I'm happy for her! Congratulations and happy birthday, Krystallyn Hussey!
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I have removed a book from my site, the anthology I had been a part of. It would have been my sixth book. Why was it removed?As you all know, I was part of an anthology of poetry from authors around the world. It was a great group of 24 poets. I had let some issues behind the scenes slide, and I figured the drama would be over after the poetry book was published. Instead, the poetry book is used to promote the head of the project's biography, not the work of anyone else. I've seen (and been) called out in group chats and private messages, even for not understanding something or asking questions. Now if if anyone disagrees with the "mastermind of the project" (their words, not mine), the author just is told they have been removed them from the project, as well as their poetry from the already-published book, breaking multiple contracts and trust. I had been demanded, not asked, that no one give out the Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes and Noble links, but only the head's personal site to purchase from. When I tried to order one book, would cost me $40 from there. I, and other authors, refused to do this, especially when the site was nothing but promoting the biography, even under the poetry book's preorder page. Today, I requested my name, poetry, and biography be unattached to the book and removed immediately. I won't be a pawn in promoting only one person's book in an anthology which 24 people worked so hard to make, many of them first-time authors. I am sorry to any of my fellow poets and my readers who were looking forward to having another book to read with me in it, but I cannot be a part of something that disrespects many people. I will find another way to republish the poetry I had submitted, and if you have bought a book, thank you for your support. UpdatesI have been chewed out in lengthy messages from different people who have accused me of "twisting what happened,", "defamation," and being unable to understand basic shipping and handling in another country.
Yes, the $40 for the book included S&H from another country. It would be $23 after S&H from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I felt it was wrong to force readers to only take one avenue to purchase the book instead of where it could be cheaper for them to purchase. I never posted the name of any people in my post, nor any biography title. How can I twist what I personally have witnessed and felt? The reason for my post was to be transparent to my readers; to let them know why a book I had spoken about excitedly for months suddenly disappear off my site. I did not do it to call anyone out or make anyone look bad. As someone who has served in the military and in a warzone, I had struggled for years with injuries- both visible and invisible- and had been at the mercy of the Veteran's Affairs clinics multiple times. I've been told in the past that I was faking my injuries and I've been told that they are "all in my head."
Finally, after years of doctor's visits, therapies, and evaluations, the VA has decided that I have not been faking all these years and has awarded me 100% disability. This is huge for me, for years and years of being in pain while working, being unable to walk out of my car without aid afterward, and being in pain all the time, I can finally rest. That does not mean that I will be stationary- for I am going to be working on The World of Hinestra books full-time, aiming to write at least a thousand words every time I sit at my computer. Writing these books will be my new full-time job. I've dreamed of becoming a full-time author since I was a child, and now, it is a reality. It did not happen the way I thought it would; but sometimes your dreams take another path in order to become a reality. Never give up on what you know is right for you. If you know something is wrong, speak up. Eventually, you will be heard. Today, The World in Our Words, an anthology I am working with 23 other authors and poets on, releases! We are doing a world-wide Facebook event for it!
The event was a success, with so many authors coming together and speaking about what the project has meant to them. It was amazing watching and listening to so many people I'd only talked to via Facebook Messenger, and seeing faces to go with the names. One of the other authors, Randy Lacey, has been speaking to me about bookplates for autographing books for readers who are overseas. I am now looking into bookplates to sell on my site, once I finish getting the store working properly. A bookplate will allow those who have purchased my book to receive it and put it in the book it goes to, making it a signed book! A bookplate will also come with the limited-edition bookmarks that normally only come with books I signed. This way, I can get books signed to those who I can't normally get to, as well as it will be cheaper than my buying, signing and shipping books myself. Of course, if you want to purchase a book and bring it to a signing, I will gladly sign it for you and give you bookmarks! Location: Barnes & Noble, Dothan, ALMy first book signing for Lost in Shadow (a Reign of Shadow novel) went out great! I completely sold out of my stock, and I am blown away by the support of so many people who came to purchase a book. My husband was amazing by helping talk to people about the book and ensuring that I didn't ramble because I get excited talking about it.
Many thanks to the people at Barnes & Noble, as well as The District barber shop, who did my hair for me beforehand and bought three books to support me-- you guys are so awesome! Cool and exciting things that happened at my signing: 1. An older gentleman who lost his son began reading fantasy because his son had passed away, and it was his favorite genre. He left the coffee shop and said, "I'm 20 pages in, and I'm loving it!" 2. A male who bought the book, 15 minutes later, comes back in to ask how some Shadese words are correctly pronounced. I helped him out, and he loved it. 3. A man bought a book, returned to the table, began writing in it, and gave it to me. (Hubby and I were so confused at first!) He was a retired Chief Master Sergent who wanted me to keep up the great work and thanked me for my service. It was his way of supporting me. (He saluted me, and I froze because I'm not used to being saluted first since I was lower enlisted when I was in the Army. LOL.) 4. I met a girl who made Junior Honor Society and she was allowed to get one book as a reward. She chose mine! 5. I saw a little girl who told her mother from her stroller, "Don't touch the knife!" because I had a sword on my table. It was adorable! -- Congratulations to George Wade, the winner of the Lost in Shadow tumbler! |
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