~signings

Signings are cool.

They give readers a chance to speak with their favorite authors, and maybe even get a personalized autograph on their favorite book.

They give authors a chance to interact with fans of their books, to see first-hand the gleam that comes into a reader’s eyes when they talk about a story the author has written and what they loved about it, and hear their excitement while they ask when the next one’s going to be available.

Last weekend was my first official signing for Watcher, and it was fantastic. The event was held in Burbank at Dark Delicacies, an awesome shop that carries books, gifts, and collectibles for lovers of dark fantasy and horror.

Five other authors participated:

• Gabrielle Faust with her Eternal Vigilance vampire series
• V.M.K. Fewing signing A Vampire’s Dominion, the latest in The Stone Masters Vampire Series
• Rebekah Weatherspoon with Better Off Red
• P.S. Gifford with his anthology Curiously Twisted Tales
• Colette Freedman, signing the popular Thirteen Hallows, co-written with Michael Scott

Everyone was very warm and friendly, and I enjoyed meeting and talking with the other authors.

I was both surprised and humbled by the support I received from friends and family, and friends of family. A steady stream of folks visited with me while I signed their books, and I stayed busy until the event was over.

Dark Delicacies sold all of the Watcher copies they’d requested, plus two more that I brought! Store owners Del and Sue Howison seemed pleased with my turnout, and asked me to come back for the release of my next book. Very cool. I have tremendous respect for them and what they do to support authors and other media professionals in the dark fantasy and horror genre, and I’m thrilled to have participated in one of their events.

Afterwards, a group of us met at Porto’s Cuban Bakery (a Burbank icon) to celebrate with unbelievably delicious pastries and foamy coffee-flavored drinks.

All-in-all, the day was a great success.

And tomorrow, I’m attending another signing event!

The First Annual FSFW Bookfest, sponsored by the Fresno SciFi & Fantasy Writers, is being held at Clovis Book Barn in, well, Clovis.

Clovis Book Barn opened their new store in August. They have 8,000 square feet and two levels filled with both new and used books. The central part of the store is open to the ceiling, and the second level lines the four walls like a wrap-around balcony. A staircase up the middle provides access to the rows of tall bookcases on the upper floor (it reminds me of a library 🙂 ).

The warm and welcoming atmosphere in this store is a sharp contrast to the corporate-sterile environment of Barnes & Noble, our lone remaining book boxstore. Most of the books Clovis Book Barn carries are used, and in some cases, hard to find.

Saturday’s Bookfest, being held from 1:00 – 3:00pm, will showcase FSFW members and their works. Signings, readings, and giveaways are part of the festivities, as well as discussions on everything books.

If you live in the area, please join us to celebrate the efforts of local authors and support this great independent bookstore.

And if not, visit Clovis Book Barn online to check out their amazing inventory. They just might have that book you’ve been looking for.