A First for Holgate
On Monday evening I had the pleasure of being the first author to ever give a talk at Holgate Community Library. By coincidence I had contacted Lynn Swary, the director, just after she had been to a workshop on hosting authors. She jumped on my offer, and we set a date.
She and her wonderful staff did everything right: got information to the Northwest Signal newspaper (who contacted me and did a very nice piece), made advertising sheets to hand out to patrons, had my books displayed on a table right in the front of the library, and put the poster my publisher sent in the window so it was visible from the outside. And you know what? It paid off!
They gathered the biggest group of people I’ve ever seen at a library function. And I sold way more books. The crowd was thrilled with the evening, as was I. And the librarians were happy on several levels, including the fact that they saw people from town who had NEVER been in the library before! Now how’s that for rewarding?
One woman in the audience came all the way from Gary, Indiana. One man came because he “thought he ought to” and ended up really enjoying the evening. Some folks had read all of my books, some hadn’t read any (but now plan on it!). And some people stocked up on Christmas presents.
All in all, it was a fun, warm event. I felt appreciated, welcomed, and…well…kind of like a celebrity.
Thanks, Holgate!
**currently reading Bermuda Schwartz, by Bob Morris** (yes, I know, I was reading it last week. It’s been a busy week)
