The People I Meet at Signings

I've figured out that there are basically three types of people I meet at bookstores during a signing event. They are:

1) the buyers
2) the not interested
3) the too nice

The buyers are the people that come to my table, listen to my spiel, and buy the book. Some of these people buy it just to support a local author. I love people like that. Too kind. Another kind of buyer is the one who is generally interested. These are few but really appreciated.

The not interested people pass my table and say no thanks when I try to interest them in my books. Most are polite but many are rude. I don't respect this behaviour. We all have our jobs and this just happens to be mine. I sell my books for a living. Please be polite. Nothing wrong with not being interested but please don't make a snarky remark. Just say no thank you.

I've had a few fights with older religious women. They tell me I'm going to hell. I told them hell is probably a lot more fun than heaven. This shocks them. Apparently, what I have written is blasphemous.

The too nice people seem interested in my novel, but then decide not to buy it. Instead of saying, thanks but no thanks, they tell me they are going to look around, catch up with husband, or think about it. These people never return. No one has said that and then come back and bought the book. I wish people would not say that but instead just decline politely. I won't be hurt if you say that. I'm more hurt when they don't return.

At one store in Stoney Creek, one woman checked my website on her cell phone and read my reviews. She came right over and bought a copy. That was cool.

Amazingly enough, at some stores, some of my books are stolen. Yes, I have talked to the pilferers, signed their books and then they steal them. Please don't do this. We authors are poor and need every royalty.

At some stores, I sign a book for someone and they just leave it somewhere in the bookstore. These are returned to me, but it's not pleasant situation. I can't sell the book now because there is someone else's name in it. Yes. I can use white-out but it doesn't look professional. If you don't want the book, don't ask me to sign it with your name.

Any way, those are my comments and beefs about the people I meet when at a signing. Every job has its high and low points.

Saturday, October 4th, from 1-4 p.m., I will be signing books at the Chapter's, Erin Mills Power Centre. If you are close, come in and say hello.

Last Saturday, I was at the Chapter's store in Ancaster. Below is a picture from that day.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

A Day at the Garage

Do you know what it means to trust someone? It's a wonderful feeling because you can let yourself relax and not stress out. Since stress activates my Bipolar symptoms, I try and reduce stress from my life. I do this in many ways; such as, planning out everything, making lists, keeping myself organized and prepared for any possibility.

Normal things can cause stress like taking your car into the garage for an oil change and tune-up. One major problem with women is that some garage mechanics perform unnecessary acts on the car for which they overcharge. Or they do a poor job because they think they can get away with it because you are a woman.

I consider myself very lucky. I have been using the same garage for the last ten years. They are a local set-up. And I can trust them. Most of them have been working at the same garage all their lives so I know them well. Especially, the man at the counter. Rob is one of the kindest men I've ever met. He always has a ready smile for me and is patient with my many questions.

I never have to worry about Rob's garage. Whatever work is done on the car, I can trust that is what was needed. The car is always repaired well. Their fees are honest. I have never had a problem paying my bill with them.

So, it was a bit of a stress taking the car in. There is always the worry that something major will be found wrong. I'm just a poor author who would become a recluse without a car so I always worry the car will die. Its an old Ford Focus. Don't know the year. But its reliable and fun to drive. I don't want to lose it.

My first car was a manual and I drove it for many years. I loved driving manual and was terrified to be in an automatic. I had driven two automatics earlier in life and ended up in a car accident both time. Driving an automatic scared me.

When my poor car died, I had no choice but to learn to drive an automatic. After a few scary times, I picked it up quickly and soon learned to love it. And now, after two years driving it, I couldn't imagine ever driving a manual again.

On Saturday, September 20th, 2014, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. I will be attending a signing at the Chapters store, Meadowlands, Ancaster, Ontario. Hope to see you there!

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

A Toronto Signing

Yesterday, I attended a signing at the Indigo bookstore in the Eaton's Centre, Toronto. This was my first signing after the summer when I didn't hold any signings. The good weather and the fact that probably people preferred remaining outside and had no interest in going indoors to a bookstore.

Some trepidation existed during the last few days before the signing. I worried about the drive there which can be treacherous and exhausting. Toronto is 61 km or 38 miles from Hamilton. On a perfect day, it could take about 50 minutes to get there. However, there is lots of construction, trucks, and slowdowns due to the high volume of traffic.

So, travelling to Toronto these days is something that is rarely done. We have everything we need here so going to Toronto is no longer necessary. Toronto holds some interest for baseball, art galleries, museums and events, however, I have not driven to Toronto much in the last year. I have lived in Toronto three times in the past, but it is not a place I'd choose to live now.

Miriam (my next door neighbour and best friend) drove me to the signing in Toronto. She has driven me to every signing which counts as nine now. It started because I had a signing in Mississauga and I didn't want to drive on the highway so asked her if she wouldn't mind driving me. It has become a tradition now that she drives me to these signings. It is really so fantastic. Not only am I scared to drive on the highway, I'm also exhausted after a day selling myself so driving home on the highway would be terribly difficult for me.

Luckily, Miriam likes to drive and she is a very good driver. I feel safe with her. However, she isn't good with directions and needs someone to tell her learn where to go. I'm great with maps and directions so we work well together. We have a great relationship. It's been a long time since I've had a friend I can count on. And to have someone to whom I can say all those things you have to say but can't say to just anyone. I am very lucky to have her as a friend.

Any way, the traffic was heavy and it was pouring rain when we left Hamilton yesterday to drive to Toronto. There were a number of slowdowns as well as a big one in Toronto because of construction. It took us an hour and a half to complete the drive. When we arrived in Toronto, Miriam left me off on the street in front of the Eaton's Centre. It was busy with cars and people causing a hectic atmosphere.

The Indigo was a busy store. Lots of people rushing about. As usual, I smiled a lot and stared at people hoping they would look my way so I could try and interest them in my books. I sold no copies of Shall We Chat? I'm learning that chatting online is not as popular as I thought.

I only sold five copies of Locker Rooms which equals about $50. I paid Miriam $50 for gas and parking so obviously no profit. I also spent $50 on getting my hair cut and styled for the event. I doubt I'll be doing any further signings in Toronto.

I hope everyone reading this would buy a copy of my novel. I guarantee you its a good read and that you will enjoy it. Check out my Reviews.

Next Saturday, September 20th, I have a signing at the Chapter's store, Meadowlands, Ancaster. I have another one in Erin Mills Power Centre on Saturday, October 4th.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser