Well, it kind of was a blast. The space was packed and I got to see many faces I’d not seen in years. A very gratifying turnout.
Who did I see? One of the boys’ elementary school teachers. A writing friend who dropped out of the Thursday class long ago. Friends from Arlington and Watertown. Neighbors from down the street, around the corner, and a friend from Maine. Parents from the boys’ elementary school days. My sister-in-law, with her friend. My therapist was there!
There was one young person there. Very mysterious. She stayed for the whole thing and at the book signing refused to supply her name. Who was she? And why the secrecy?
I’d say there were about 40 people there, 30 of whom I knew.
I brought a handwoven indigo cloth with me. Bought in Colorado years ago but probably from the west coast of Africa. Benin? Nigeria? It sat on my lap during the signing and the book group portion.
There were really good questions, lots of positive feedback (hard for me to take it all in, honestly), and very good snacks during the book group portion of the afternoon.
A few remarks? They learned a lot (x7). The writing was beautiful (x8). They liked how well-developed the characters were. There was an interesting layering to the story-telling.
Welp. While I was writing that paragraph, our water heater failed. I smell gas, Ken! Why do I smell gas, Ken?
And meanwhile, the upstairs furnace didn’t come on at all last night again. Discovery: sleeping in a 60 degree room is tolerable. It’s getting up in a room that cold that’s hard.
So what’s next? A roof collapse? Fridge failure?
Off goes husband to buy a new furnace. He’s installed the last three.
Hoooray yayaYAY – Many smiles filled me up reading about the Reading; I was pretty sure it was gonna be great, but this just so cool to read the details and have photos, and wardrobe details 🙂
I was so happy to see this post pop up (of course I looked for one yesterday). CONGRATULATIONS!!
WOW WOW WOW
Let’s make the movie now.
See? Not only are you *loved*, you are *great* and you are *very*respected*!!
How possible is it that publishers are looking for these kinds of events – looking for those authors that their employees can’t seem to find?
Sorry about your furnace.
Our thermostat gets turned down to 58 every night. It is usually 60 in the AM. Ya get used to it – not. Last night I slept in my hooded sweatshirt on all night under the down comforter. Where did you get that great electric blanket?
I guess now I can imagine sleeping at 58. My blanket, I got on Amazon, she said sheepishly. The first one I ordered worked for about a week.
I rather shamelessly connected my Instagram post with a few independent bookstores that I’ve recently sent promo materials to.
So happy to hear it went well
60 is warm for me.
And I think Nigeria, I have one like it.
Dee~ Yay! Congrats on a successful event! All who know you…knew this would be the case, but how lovely and exciting to see it posted here with your telling of it and the images that captured the interest and mood in the room. Wonderful! I love how you wore and held pieces of the story for creating an invitation to enter the time period and for comfort and strength (?perhaps) for you. And I love that you saw so many from various walks of your life…along with new folks too!
Nancy
It was a sunny and relatively warm day. That helped.
You wrote because you began with curiosity, then dove into intense research and felt the compulsion to tell a story in a way that very few have done; you brought history to life with reality, intelligence and respect. Yesterday you took your written words that were bound in a book and spoke, talked story, bringing the pages of The Weight of Cloth into the weight of now.
I am so pleased that you had such a good gathering for you deserved no less. Now, you go on and while there will be more book talks and signings over these next years to come, this one will remain truly locked into your heart, your first author talk with a group. Well done Dee.
Thanks so much Marti. You are too kind really.
I love all these comments. So kind and tribute-like. Wish I could have been there.
And these comments are so appreciated!!
It sounds so lovely. Wish I lived closer!
Me too Roberta. Would love to meet you in person.
I know I’ve commented elsewhere, but in the future I’m going to try to comment on blogs rather than social media when there’s a choice …
besides, one can never say “congratulations” too often … so congrats again on what was surely a triumph of persistence
Liz thank you. I understand. How long will any of our sites be places we want to go? And do t worry about repeating yourself. It’s kind of nice to hear praise. Over and over! 😊
It sounds absolutely wonderful and you look beautiful! Congratulations and well done, Dee!
Thanks Stephanie!