I’m surprised at the number of people who have asked me how my book signing at Adelaide’s went on Saturday.  It never occurred to me to ‘report’ about it afterwards but, for all of my kind friends who have inquired, I will say, “It was great!”

Katie and Joel had rearranged things in the bookstore end of the building to accommodate a couple of dozen folding chairs and had even provided me with a ‘lectern’ of sorts for my notes.  (I loved it that it was a music stand.  Did you know that Joel is a musician with his own band in Portland?)  The chairs filled up – except for the three directly in front!  Why is it that people hesitate about front row seats? – and a number of people stood in the back.  Nyel counted “at least 26” which seemed the perfect number for the space.

There was a nice mix of ‘legendary locals’ and other people from the community who I know or who have familiar faces, as well as a sprinkling of complete strangers.  Many of them had bought books previously and had come in to hear me talk and to get my signature.  Some told me they had come to get additional copies.  It was definitely a feel-good sort of crowd!

I talked about the Arcadia Publications phenomenon – how they have 8,000 titles in print with more coming every day and how Legendary Locals of the Long Beach Peninsula differed from the other books I’ve done for them.  I told about my research struggles and the difficulties in getting acceptable (to Arcadia) photographs, especially of the Chinooks,  of the pioneers and early settlers and of the Chinese cannery workers.  I talked a little about Arcadia’s stringent writing requirements and how my listeners, too, could become Arcadia authors.

Afterwards I asked, in good teacherly fashion, if there were any questions.  I was surprised at how many great questions about my writing process there were and was somewhat amazed (and pleased!) that I was asked what I was working on now.  Never mind that one person asked how my Willard book was ‘selling’ – as in I’m quite sure she knew the manuscript had recently been rejected by WSU Press.  I think she meant it as a kindly encouragment and had no idea that it’s a sensitive subject just now…

One man held up a copy of The Long Beach Peninsula’s I R &N (the first book I wrote for Arcadia) and told a cute story about the train that ran through his town when he was a kid.  (And speaking of the ‘teacher mode, I had to bite my tongue not to say, as I would have to first graders, “Are you asking something?  Or are you telling?”)  But, he actually bought that railroad book and had me sign it.  He had come in late and I don’t think he had a clue that I was actually talking about another book entirely!

I lost count of how many books I signed afterwards.  There were several people who said they would see me Wednesday (that’s tomorrow!) at the Picture Attic in Long Beach where they intend to buy more!  Wow!  That gathering is from 2:00 to 4:00 and, in case you need another incentive to attend, Picture Attic owner Jean Nitzel is planning to serve refreshments!  See you there.