That Was a Hell of a Thing

It finally happened.

My new romcom, Running with Hounds…and an English Degree, launched yesterday at a hybrid event on Zoom and at Book Carnival in Orange, CA. And what an event it was! The store was packed with 30 people, with another dozen online. There were plenty of great questions (and mugs handed out to those who asked them), the conversation flowed, books were sold and signed, and swag bags with bookmarks, magnets and pet toys went home with everyone there. I couldn’t have asked for anything better (well, maybe for a thousand books to have been sold, but let’s not get ridiculous!).

Because there was a Zoom element, the event was recorded and will be put on YouTube, so I’ll let everyone know when it becomes available for viewing. That also allowed for some interesting questions, one of which came from a friend in the Chat who wrote out this Baz Luhrmann quote: “Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it’s worth.” Then he asked something about how that transmuted into my writing, and I think I blacked out. LOL Stay tuned for a replay of all the fun questions and my (insightful? Illuminating? Ill-advised?) answers.  

I owe my biggest thanks to Anne Saller, owner of Book Carnival, who graciously allowed her store to be overrun with my boisterous fandom (you know who you are) for 2 hours. She was a tremendous help throughout the process of setting up the event, and I hope to do more events there in the future.

Another major shoutout goes to my emcee, the incomparable Maddie Margarita, for leading the event and helping to keep it moving. I was kind of in an overly excited/fairly nervous/out-of-body haze the entire time, and she kept everything on track, which allowed me to focus on the discussion and reading. This is my third event with Maddie and I would want her by my side for every literary engagement.

And people may have recognized my hiking buddy, Olivia Wu, as the photographer extraordinaire floating through the crowd, nabbing a TON of great moments with me, Maddie and various audience members. Everyone who came up to have their book signed got their picture taken with me—more of those shots to come. And my friend, Justin Dressel, notorious for catching people when they’re not paying attention (along with when I AM paying attention and make ridiculous faces), was also on hand to add his candids to the mix. I am beyond grateful to both for capturing the essence of this joyful event, and I’ll be posting plenty more pics on social media.

I also have to thank my boyfriend, Cai, who was very patient during every one of my outbursts when a file didn’t upload correctly, or I couldn’t access something or through my ongoing battle to get my Barnes and Noble account up and running again. He helped to set up and take down all the books and swag bags and took pictures and reels for my social media. And he continues to encourage this passion that takes up a LOT of my time.

And last (but OMG, not least at all!) a giant thanks to everyone who came out, either in person or virtually, to make it look like I had an actual following. LOL One of my critique group friends looked around the room and said, “Who are all these people?” I had joked with Cai the previous day about how I should have hired student actors from the Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts to fill the store. Turns out, I didn’t need to. I’m already blessed with a solid, wonderfully supportive community. 😊

So, now that I’ve come down from the post-launch high, my attention turns to setting up more events (and selling more copies, of course). But mostly, I want to get out there to meet new people and talk about this book that was 6 years in the making. I’m looking forward to sharing this exciting literary adventure with everyone. More to come!