Never Let Them See You Sweat

by Susan, Promoting the Latest of the Book Tart Releases (but Nancy's next)

So I told y'all I'd spill the beans on my first local signing for THE LONE STAR LONELY HEARTS CLUB, and I aim to keep my word.  The last two years, I've had my kick-off event in St. Louis at the Barnes & Noble in Ladue, not far from my house, because Carrie Clore, the amazing CRM, has been so incredibly good to me.  Not only has she hosted these initial gigs for LONELY HEARTS and GOOD GIRLS--with Godiva chocolate cheesecake, cookies, Hershey's Kisses and liquid refreshment, no less--but she's thought of me lots in between, recommending me often for assorted book events.  I'll miss her when she leaves for Portland, OR, in a few weeks...boo hoo.  But I guess St. Louis's loss is Portland's gain. 

Anyway, I arrived at the store with Ed about twenty minutes early, because I know from past experience that some folks will be there ahead of time as well.  If I can sign books before things get started, it's a big help.  We parked smack in front of the doors, and I saw the huge display Carrie had put in the window.  Couldn't resist taking a pic!  How nice is that?  As we walked in, we encountered a small table in front filled with more books and a stand-up poster promoting the event.  Weaving around the stacks toward the area of the store where they hold author signings, we passed several endcaps with books and promo flyers.  Wowza. 

About a half dozen people had arrived early as well, and I got to signing books just as soon as I took off my coat and sat down.  In the minutes before two o'clock when the show would begin, the seats Carrie had put out filled, and she brought more chairs...which soon were occupied as well, so that people began to stand behind the chairs and in the mouths of the aisles.  Would that every gig could be so well-attended!  I saw lots of familiar faces, some friends and readers I hadn't seen since a year ago when GOOD GIRL came out; so it was so great to say "hi" and get hugs. 

Once Carrie introduced me (I'm with Ms. Carrie in the pic on the right), I rolled into yak-mode, thanking everyone for coming and for their support; describing what the Debutante Dropout series was and telling a bit about each book, particularly LONELY HEARTS, since it's the newest.  I brought up questions I'm frequently asked, such as, "Is your mother like Cissy Kendricks, the socialite mummy of the deb dropout?"  My mom happened to be in the audience, so I pretty much debunked that myth with her help.  Then, "Did you have to stuff your bra and wear hot pants to work at Hooters for research for BLUE BLOOD?"  My answer:  "Are you kidding me?"  I figure I have a wild enough imagination to imagine what it feels like to work at a place like Hooters, so no need to add padding or don short-shorts in order to experience it first-hand.  Someone wanted to know about my Maggie Ryan novels and if those would continue, and I said, "Yep," I'd finished a third book with Maggie, called WALK INTO SILENCE, which my agent has in hand.  Laura Bradford, a local author and a good friend of mine, read aloud her favorite lines from LONELY HEARTS, which she said made her laugh out loud (thanks, Ms. Laura!).  Several of my friends from the St. Louis Magazine "top singles" issue were there, and I gave them a shout-out. 

I had a pair of ladies ask if I'd read from the book, so I found a scene that gave nothing away and read from that.  Afterward, they came to the table to get copies of LONELY HEARTS signed and confessed they needed to hear an author do a reading for their MFA class.  So I was their homework assignment, basically. 

After awhile, I saw my mother on the sidelines, giving me the universal finger-slashing-throat gesture, letting me know I'd spoken long enough.  (Man, does she come in handy or what?)  So I wrapped things up and started signing.  I wish I had more pics to show you, and I was counting on a few forwarded photos that didn't arrive in time.  But I've got the day etched in my mind--it was terrific!--so I won't likely forget it soon.  Word is that over 100 books sold, which is absolutely a success.  I signed some copies of my backlist and more of LONELY HEARTS, at Carrie's request, before I thanked her and left with Ed for dinner out with my family.  Just a lovely end to a fabulous day.

I'll be signing this Saturday at Big Sleep Books on North Euclid in the Central West End (here in St. Louis).  My friends Helen Simpson and Ed King own the store, and I always love going there.  It's our local mystery indie, and Helen's like family so I wouldn't miss doing a gig there for anything.  If any of y'all want a signed book from Big Sleep, you can call 314-361-6100 and work out the details with Helen.  Next Thursday, I fly to South Carolina (hi, Paula!) to do an event at the library in Aiken as well as the big book festival in Columbia.  Should be loads of fun, and it's the first time I'll have visited the state.  Very cool.

Just a few final plugs...if you like contests, Romance Junkies is having a big one where you can win signed books and goodies from loads of authors, including moi...THE LONE STAR LONELY HEARTS CLUB Sweepstakes is up and running in the back of the book and details on my web site as well (you can enter to have your name used for a character in the fifth Debutante Dropout book!)...and Connie Payne at OnceUponARomance.net has an interview of yours truly up at her site, so take a look!

Now I must finish NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEB.  As of this moment, I'm two chapters and an Epilogue away.  I think I can, I think I can....

Cheers,

Susan

Comments

[Harley]

One hundred books sold? Susan, you rock!
Plus, I want to borrow your mother for my next book launch party. Assuming I ever finish my current book.

[Susan McB]

Harley, I saw what page you're on when you had your laptop in Harry's rental car, so I know how close you are to being done! As for Mom, you know she's available for rental anytime, especially to her adopted daughters.

[Mary Louisa]

Congratulations, Susan, on what sounds like a wildly successful launch party!!! Can't wait to read your newest. :)

[Susan McB]

Thanks, ML (or should I just say, "Mary"? I saw your comment on Rob's site about only your dad calling you Mary Louisa, so I want to get it right!). It was definitely a wonderful local launch for LONELY HEARTS, and I had a ball. Honestly, it's so much fun getting out there and talking to people when you've been working on a book at home, basically dealing with few humans, your cats, and your computer for months and months. Now if I can finish up LIVING DEB before my signing on Saturday, I'll have another big reason to smile!

[sarah]

Susan's newest is da bomb. No, really...you get sucked in right away.

[Nancie aka Gun Tart]

Woo-hoo, way to go Susan! The book is awesome!

[Susan McB]

Thanks for the very kind words, Sarah and Ms. Gun Tart! You know, I feel like all I'm doing is plug-plug-plugging the book these days, but it's what's on my mind (besides finishing the fourth book). So if y'all have already OD'd on hearing about LONELY HEARTS, forgive me. I'll be back to yakking about other topics soon, I promise.

[Rob Gregory Browne]

Sounds like a really great time, Susan. But for some strange reason it makes me feel nervous... anticipating my turn at bat.

[Susan McB]

Rob, when's your book out? Remind us, please, so we can toot your horn here at TLC, okay?

[Kathy Sweeney aka Smart Tart]

Bravo!

Don't apologize for crowing about your book - we're all book lovers here, and if you've got it, flaunt it.

Will you be visiting Pittsburgh in your travels?

[Susan McB]

Kathy the Smart Tart, I'll be coming to the Mystery Booklovers Festival this year (haven't been since BLUE BLOOD came out because of RT in St. Louis last year), so I'm psyched, as all the Book Tarts will be there and so will the Mystery Chicks! How much more fun could we have??? I'm not sure Mary Alice is prepared for such craziness! Perhaps I should bring her a HazMat suit??? ;-)

[Kathy Sweeney aka Smart Tart]

Yipee!

Book Tarts and Mystery Chicks - look out!

I'd better alert Margie's parole officer - the Carousel is only blocks from the Festival site....

Calling all Tarts - come to Pittsburgh and see that Book Tarts and other great authors at the Festival of Mystery on Monday, April 24th. It's a wonderful time

[Mary Alice Gorman]

Oh we are prepared.........the Festival this year includes 50 authors and will be held in a much larger church hall. I am hopinbg with all our efforts to make the 11th year the best yet that we can break the record of last year and sell more than 2000 books that day!!!
Details should be on the website www.mysterylovers.com by March 1, 2006 shoulds all you tarts and chicks want to link to the site.
Congrats on the signing. It sounded terrific!
mystery lovers

[Kathy Sweeney aka Smart Tart]

oops - a little to quick on the trigger finger. Thank heaven no one was hit. Sorry. Couldn't help it.

Here's what my last paragraph should have said:

Calling all Tarts - come to Pittsburgh for the Festival of Mystery on Monday, April 24th. The Book Tarts and many other terrific authors will be there - it's a wonderful time for book lovers and fun lovers alike. And I wasn't kidding about the Carousel's proximity.

[Susan McB]

Wow, Mary Alice, 50 authors this year! How totally cool. I think the Tarts will have to do a joint blog about it with loads of pictures! Kathy aka Smart Tart, are you gonna be keeping an eye on Margie? Sometimes she wanders off, and if the Carousel is that close...oh, boy. Lookout.

[Kathy Sweeney aka Smart Tart]

I may have to get one of those invisible fence things. That seemed to work the last time she was in Vegas....

[nancy]

The Vegas trip??? Are you kidding me??? Oh, you mean the 2nd Vegas trip. Nevermind. At least that one didn't include that actor who was playing high stakes poker. The restraining order still stands, right?

[daisy]

Wasn't that the one where you tried using the shock collar? From what I hear, that didn't go so well...

[Susan McB]

Is that why Margie has that scar on her neck? And I thought it was from the vampire dude she dated during the last full moon. Interesting what you can learn from the comments on this blog.

[Rob Gregory Browne]

"Rob, when's your book out? Remind us, please, so we can toot your horn here at TLC, okay?"

Not for a LOOOONG time, unfortunately. First quarter of 2007. This should be an interesting year.

[Lisa Coutant aka Pop Tart]

What a fabulous day. I know it was said before but you really do have an amazing and supportive family, Susan.

Confirming what we always knew, you sure are talented girl and fab too.

Lisa

[Susan McB]

Aw, Lisa, that was so nice. I am fortunate to have a great support system, that's for sure. As for the rest...did I say how nice you are already??? Thanks, sweetie. :-)