California Authors

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Comment by Timothy J. Desmond on April 30, 2009 at 7:17am

Hi:
That does sound like a fun thing. I haven't been on the train since 2002.

Comment by Bonnie Hearn Hill on April 28, 2009 at 10:36pm

Next time, Tim, we should all take the train together. Could be a fun pre-event.

Comment by Timothy J. Desmond on April 28, 2009 at 10:30pm

I know Sunny said that when we have our turn at the "mike" that we can say what we wanted. I think everyone up there thanked Sunny, with may be one exception. I particularly remebered terry Phillips, of Valley Public Radio and how he presented himself. Later I talked to him and he sais he has not done many of these type events, and couldn't do them all the time, but that "It really is a good thing and worthwhile to get together and meet everyone, and the whole thing." I would have visited longer with him but he had to catch the train.
As I drove home, I was trying to write down so many ideas I had before I forgot them.

Comment by Laurel-Rain Snow on April 28, 2009 at 7:05am

Hi, Everyone...It's good to hear all of your remarks about the festival, which was an exhilarating event!

Comment by Bonnie Hearn Hill on April 27, 2009 at 11:06pm

Most of you probably won't agree with me on this, but I feel, in that situation, I don't want to promote myself (and I never, ever read from my own work), but just make people feel good about being there. For me, that was publicly thanking Sunny, recognizing my 88-year-old aunt, who showed up out of nowhere, and inviting people to my table for home-baked cookies. I doubt that I spoke for more than five minutes, and when others went over their time, I cringed. (There was one author who went way over, and I cringed a lot.)

We know we aren't going to sell a ton of books at these events. But we need to make people feel good about being there. I remember the first time I ever signed books at BEA. I had the longest line that I could see. Beyond what I could see, snaking around corners beyond my range of vision. My friend, Sheree Petree, and I exchanged wide-eyed looks. How could this be happening? When I finally finished signing, I realized why. My publisher was giving away free books. They wanted to make people feel good.

I am not suggesting that we give away books (although I often do). It's all about how the people feel about us. A young mother who had seen my Channel 26 spot promoting Sunny and the bookfest brought her son and daughter to the event, and I was touched by that. No, they didn't buy a book from me. But if I can get a mother and her kids to come out for a book event, that means more than a six-dollar sale.

Sunny said it would be a wild ride, and it was. I loved it. Sorry that Larry and I had to run for the train (by way of Superior Dairy) before I heard you, Tim.

Comment by Timothy J. Desmond on April 27, 2009 at 10:41pm

The event went by too quickly. I know some had to leave earlier than my spiel at 2:10 on the stage. I felt I was a wreck up there pitching my novel. But, it was a good experience. I know everyone hasn't had the chance to read all of each other's works yet; but part of what I felt was the feeling I had in drawing class in nat CCAC in Oakland - when we had to pin the drawing on the wall in front of the whole class- and get critiqued. It is what is needed, and in the end worthwhile.Tim

Comment by Bonnie Hearn Hill on April 27, 2009 at 10:27pm

Glad you are here now, Tim. We didn't get enough time to talk in Hanford.

Comment by Dorinda Ohnstad on April 27, 2009 at 6:08pm

Welcome Tim.

Comment by Timothy J. Desmond on April 27, 2009 at 5:55pm

Bonnie
Thank you. Finally figured out which words to click on. I thought I had joined this group last week, with a previous invite.
Tim

Comment by Bonnie Hearn Hill on April 27, 2009 at 4:41pm

Glad to have you with us, Tim.

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