When my daughter phoned to say the local library was having a book sale on Saturday my little heart went pitter-pat. As the previous year, books went for 5 bucks a bag– all you can stog. (Ah, the word “stog”. Isn’t it a dandy word? I think I discussed the word “stog” once before on this blog.) Used book sales are kind of like an all you can eat buffet for book-lovers. Don’t you think?
So while I was looking through the titles my hand stopped suddenly when I spied a copy of Bitter, Sweet. Talk about a surreal moment. I mean, I expected one day to come across a copy of my own book at one of these sales, but when it’s there on the table the reality of it kind of hits you.
A friend asked if I signed the book but I can tell you right now, that thought never crossed my mind. I was too busy stogging books into my bag, I guess. So here’s the silly part, I grabbed up my book and stogged it in the bag too. I mean, it was my book. Not taking it felt wrong in a twisted sort of authorish way. But have no fear; it’s not going to sit on my bookshelf. I’ll have you know I’m not THAT lame! I’m actually planning to give it away, which is silly in itself because someone was bound to take it home. Yet I didn’t want to stalk my book to find out who.
So here’s the plan: I’ll go off in search of someone to give the book to, someone deserving, someone kind, and trustworthy…Perhaps I shall scour the land for said person, over mountains and dry deserts.
Okay, so that’s way over the top and totally ridiculous, but sometimes ridiculous is kind of fun. Seriously, when the time is right, I’ll know exactly who to give the book to, unless one of you have a suggestion.
So the really big news on Saturday was meeting author Lesley Crewe at Coles in the Bridgewater Mall. Lesley was there to sign copies of her new book, “Kin” and I wanted to pick up a copy for my mum, who is a big fan, and meet Lesley. Lesley is a Nimbus author, like me, so that in itself gave us mutual ground, but she’s so down to earth and friendly we had no 
problem chatting it up. Best of all she made me laugh. I could have stalked spent the whole afternoon with her—that’s if she would have let me. LOL!
So I’m an author groupie. I’ve met my share of authors over the years since my book came out. I can honestly say I’ve never met an author I didn’t like. It’s a strange business I find myself part of, and as different as our lives are, all writers share our love for the written word. Through the writing journey I’m on I’ve met some truly wonderful people, some whom I consider close friends.
This weekend was all about writers and books. Sunday, was the annual Word on the Street event in Halifax, and I was glad to have made it in. I’ll be posting about it next time and sharing a few photos.
Do you go to book signing events or writing festivals in your area? Have you met an author who left a lasting impression?
Laura Best 
suzicate
/ September 24, 2012That is a surreal moment. You will find the perfect person to give your book to,,,it will just happen, another surreal moment!
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Laura Best
/ September 24, 2012I think I already have a taker, Susan. 🙂 It really stopped me in my tracks that day. I laughed as I held it. I just didn’t know what to do in those first few moments after my discovery!
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Lynn A. Davidson
/ September 24, 2012It must have felt strange seeing your book there on the sale table. I’m sure you will find someone deserving of that copy. 🙂 Maybe you could even create a contest for it, or something.
In answer to your question, “Have you met an author who left a lasting impression?” – yep! You! As you know, I’m rather shy meeting ‘famous’ people so I am not a stalker, I just sort of hang around getting up the nerve to squeak out something brilliant. 😉
Years before I met you I’d met the wonderful Budge Wilson who left quite an impression on me. She was very encouraging and we corresponded through letters (the ones mailed in envelopes) for awhile. Budge was delighted that I took one of my daughters to meet her at a writers gathering, and she signed a copy of her book for my daughter whose name was the name of the main character in that story. Budge now has over 30 books out! I haven’t managed to get them all yet, but I’m also patiently waiting for your next one, Laura.
Great post.
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Laura Best
/ September 24, 2012AwwWhat a sweet thing to say, Lynn. We all like to think that we leave our mark, however small, in the world. I think you’re getting over your shyness and that’s great because being shy closes so many doors for us that might lead us to some pretty fantastic experiences.
I had the chance to meet Budge Wilson at the Book Bash when my book came out. She sat right beside me. I was giddy to say the least. Later, we chatted a bit. Wow! It made the evening all worthwhile for me. 🙂
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Diane Tibert
/ September 24, 2012I think I would have done the same: snatched up and took home my book, so I could give it someone I trusted. 🙂
I made it to Word on the Street, too. Although I bumped into several people I’ve met before in person and online, I didn’t see you, Laura. It was a great day to be on the waterfront, surrounded by books.
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Laura Best
/ September 24, 2012Thanks, Diane. I don’t feel so much like a weirdo knowing that others would have done the same. 😉
I am so disappointed that I didn’t see you at WOTS. I spent my time attending readings. Guess it wasn’t meant to be.I can hardly wait to read your blog post about it. It turned out to be a beautiful day, although our entire drive on the 103 was foggy, foggy, foggy.
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Carol
/ September 24, 2012Picking up that copy was like rescuing someone special from being lost in a crowded store. I suspect I would have done the same thing. I don’t go to many signings, just to those whose books I’ve liked enough to wonder about their author, or to those of writers I’ve met online and want to support. James Scott Bell was one author who made a big impression on me. I met and had a conversation with him at a conference in 2010. Diana Gabaldon is another.
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Laura Best
/ September 24, 2012I love that way you described this, Carol. Yes, someone special did appear to be lost..I just couldn’t turn my back….Glad to hear you would have done the same as well. 🙂
Having an author take time to speak with us is always a high point. Whether we’re authors ourselves or just a book-lover. You’ve met two who have left a lasting impression. How fortunate, and just what I love to hear. 🙂
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Susan White
/ September 24, 2012Your blog reminded me of this summer when I offered to donate my book to a library in Kingston Ontario. I was told by the woman I was speaking to that it would be put in their annual book sale ,not on the shelves of the library and somehow that just felt wrong to me. I felt it needed to take the first step to the shelves before being piled among countless books being sold for bargain prices. I know as authors we have no control where our books end up once they leave us but you finding your book and picking it up was indeed rescuing it and giving it another chance to be received by someone who truly appreciates it’s value.
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Laura Best
/ September 24, 2012You know, Susan, I don’t understand why the library wouldn’t first put the book on the self. I would have thought they’d be tickled pink to receive a brand new book from the author. It does feel wrong to think they would simply put it in their sale as just another used book. I hope you decided not to give them a copy.
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Libby
/ September 24, 2012If I ever I published a book and found it like you did, I’d probably do something embarrassing like hide it under a table or slip it casually to the bottom of the pile — or maybe toss it into someone’s bag, depending on how I felt about it! 😉
I too attended WOTS in Halifax this year; it was my first time and I loved it. It’s always great talking to authors, publishers, and fellow book addicts. An author with a lasting impression on me? Hm. I have been lucky enough to meet Michael Bawtree, Jon Tattrie, and Anne Simpson, (and yesterday Kat Kruger and Steve Vernon) but I’d have to say Sheree Fitch, who I met last year at the Elizabeth Bishop Festival.
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Laura Best
/ September 24, 2012LOL! Believe me, Libby, when you publish a book, you’ll toughen into some of these things. Maybe not at first, but after your book’s been out for several years. One author on FB commented that when she saw one of her books in a sale she became upset and made her husband buy it for 50 cents.
Sheree Fitch is fantastic! I just love her. I met her at a book signing a while before my book was published. (She and I had work in the same issue of the Nashwaak Review!) And again at WOTS last year.
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pattisj
/ September 25, 2012I went to a book signing a couple weeks ago, Danette Crawford. I love a used book sale–so many books, so little time!
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Laura Best
/ September 26, 2012Good for you, Patti for attending a book signing. 🙂
Nothing like a used book sale I say.
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joylene
/ September 25, 2012I can feel your reaction from here. I’d have felt the exact same way. Last week we were in Penticton, 700 Km south. We stopped at the largest 2nd hand store in BC. I asked the lady where the Canadian section was. She asked which author, I said, Joylene Butler, she said, Sorry, I just sold the last copy. Another time I was in the food count in Prince and the lady at the next table was reading my book. I ran out. Have no idea why, but I knew if I stayed I’d probably pass out. Haha. Life as an author can be very delightful at times.
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Laura Best
/ September 26, 2012I agree, we authors can encounter some very strange things. One author friend said she was presented with one of her books to sign only to discover that she had previously signed it for a friend of hers.. Ikes… LOL!
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