In 2008, I headed off to LA for my first “big” signing. I was writing for Ellora’s Cave and the signing was part of BookExpoAmerica. The book expo was huge, filled with (maybe) hundreds of publishers that were there showing off the books they currently had available and the books to be published in the upcoming year. The idea was to connect with booksellers and other book distributers in order to get the books—old fashioned paper books—on the shelves—old fashioned actual shelves—in the stores—old fashioned brick and mortar stores.
At the time I was new to publishing. The posts I wrote about the trip were among the very first posts I published on my blog.
I was, obviously, excited to be in LA, signing books and being part of the sparkling excitement that is LA and the buzzing excitement that was BEA. BEA doesn’t exist any longer. COVID, no need to say more, right? But I attended a couple times, and it was always Big Fun and attending often made me feel like I’d Made It.
I was, obviously, excited to be in LA, signing books and being part of the sparkling excitement that is LA and the buzzing excitement that was BEA. BEA doesn’t exist any longer. COVID, no need to say more, right? But I attended a couple times, and it was always Big Fun and attending often made me feel like I’d Made It.
This past March, I was in LA again, in the same convention center where I’d attended BEA over 15 years ago. I was attending the Association of Writers and Writing Programs. It’s a very academic event. I didn’t think much of the situation until I was standing in the registration line, waiting to get my nametag. (See above, my social media post continuing my ongoing joke about how much I hate nametags.) Instead of coming to sign and sell erotic romances, I was there to attend information sessions on editing literary journals and teaching creative writing in a college setting. I was there to promote my literary podcast, Washington Square OnAir, which had just released its 50th episode. Same place, another event about books and writing, but with many differences. For one thing, I was there as a professor, journal editor, podcast host, and literary writer. All those years ago while I was signing copies of my first release, Everglades Wildfire, with that now defunct publisher, never would have imagined being any in any of those roles. Yet, there I was.
I figured the moment meant something, although I wasn’t quite sure what. I figured I should honor the journey with a moment. After I received my nametag, I headed off to buy myself a latte, then found a quiet spot to sit outside the hotel where I was staying and…just sat there and thought about the past 15 years of writing. No, not all of it. LOL. I worked my way backward through decisions and events that led me to where I was. I suppose I’m still mulling it over, which is why I’m writing about it now. Maybe I’ll never come up with a key point or two. But I can say, its been an up and down path filled with successes and near successes. I’ve learned a lot. I’m looking forward to the next 15 years…
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