"From the Heart"

Last year I heard about a book titled FROM THE HEART. It was a collection of stories about love and friendship that had been put together by a writer from South Carolina named Kendall Bell. My friend, writer Jackie White, had a story in the collection and that gave me a valid reason to get the book and review it.

I found the various stories to be touching and entertaining, which is a good combination for any collection. I was also amazed at the variety of styles employed by the numerous writers who came from different areas across the country.

The book must have been successful because Kendall soon announced that he was working on collecting stories for FROM THE HEART 2. When I heard this I decided to submit a story and luckily it was accepted. I became a member of the group that joined forces for the second collection. That book is now in bookstores.

When any book comes out, the selling of the book becomes an issue. And that means book signings. Some authors hate this part of the writing process while I on the other hand thoroughly enjoy it. I like meeting people, especially readers; and I like the give and take that goes into talking with people about books and writing.

Jackie White says book signings are like going to the "sock hop" in junior high. You sit on the sidelines and try to look attractive so that maybe someone will come up and ask you to dance. Or at book signings, buy your book and ask you to sign it.

I have been fortunate to have book signings where hundreds of books were sold. I have also been seated at a table and not had one person buy a book during a three-hour marathon. There are never any guarantees.

Last weekend I was part of a book signing that included Kendall Bell, the writer/compiler of FROM THE HEART 2; Joyce Dixon, a writer who has a story in the book, and is also the patron saint of southern writers in that she knows more about books and publishing than anyone else I have ever met; and Sue Lay, a fellow Perryan who has a story in the book. Sue is also one of the most naturally funny people I have ever encountered. She kept us in stitches all afternoon.

We managed to sell a few books but the most enjoyable part was just getting to know each other. All writers are storytellers and each one of us had some silly story we wanted to share. It made the afternoon fly by and before we knew it a lot of books had been sold and a lot of fun had been had. 

As people came into the store to purchase a book we literally devoured them. We asked them more questions than they did us, and had a real interchange of thoughts and ideas. If you have ever wanted to meet a writer then this is the place to do it. Find where they are signing books and go for it. 

It doesn't matter if it is John Grisham or Bill Clinton, book signings are where you have them trapped. They are on their best behavior and most accessible. They want you to buy and they will turn on the charm to get you to do it. Just remember no one wants to be left sitting on the sidelines at a sock hop or a book signing.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

Click above to find out more about Jackie's books!