Every once in a while we writers crawl out of our hobbit holes and do events.

I had a very fine event last Thursday. I spoke in Canton. At the Friends of the Stark County District Library’s annual meeting. Every chair was filled. My speech went well. I sold a bunch of books. I didn’t get lost going or coming.

The credit for all this goes to Wendell Horn. Up until a few minutes before I spoke he was the president of the Friends. He was finishing his two-year term. The first member of the male specie ever to hold the office.

A terrific follow, Wendell. Anyone planning an event ought to give him a call and see how it’s done.

Over the years I’ve had some very good events like the one in Canton the other night. And I’ve some stinkers. Whether events are at bookstores, libraries, private homes or conventions, they are only as good as the person who plans them.

The first trick to planning a successful author event is choosing a writer who’s a good fit for the audience. But when I first opened my mouth Thursday night, Wendell probably thought he’d made a big mistake choosing me.

“I can see why you’re all glad Wendell’s term is over,” I began. A hundred pair of bugged eyes. A hundred jaws dropped. Then I held up a sheet of paper “He sent me this map . . .”

The audience exploded in laughter.

“This is the most detailed set of directions I’ve ever seen in my life, “ I said. “He drew in little traffic lights and everything.”

They laughed and laughed.

You see, Wendell Horn is a detail man. And they all loved that about him. From then on the speech was easy.

I think I gave a decent little talk that night. But Wendell gets all the credit.

He made sure I was the right guy for his group.
He made sure I had directions.
He made sure I’d bring books to sell.
He made sure there’d be a big audience.
He made sure there was coffee and cookies.
He made sure everything ran smooth as silk.

Thank you, Wendell.

I had a great time.