My Chapters and Coles signings are behind me. I can breathe a little easier now. My biggest fear was not getting out and meeting people –heck that was the best part–  but wondering if our Maritime weather would be cooperative. Not only is East Dalhousie known for its friendliness we are known far and wide for the snow we get each winter,  often times before winter even officially arrives,. When the rest of the province is snow free we’re often knee-deep in that white stuff. Makes for some awesome snowmobiling but sometimes the roads aren’t fit for travel. This fall, however, it’s been all sunshine and rain. A traveler’s paradise.

I had six different signings this month at various Coles and Chapter’s. The people in these places sure know how to treat their local authors. They are as welcoming and warm as anyone could hope for. Now, as great as each one of these stores were if I was to pick a favourite I’d have to say that Coles in New Minas really have it going. They set me up at a big table, welcomed me to their store, the manager slipped a Lindt chocolate bar on the table for me, came out and snapped photos and was just so super nice and friendly. Her staff was terrific as well and one of the employees even bought a copy of the book for her mom. She was a real sweetheart. She explained that each year she buys an author signed book for her mom and that this year she had specifically asked for “Bitter, Sweet.”

Since people in the Valley know me, there were quite a few who dropped in just to say,”Hi” Some got me to autograph books they had bought back in October at the book launch and didn’t stand in line  to have them signed that day. I don’t blame them, I was told that people waited for an ahlf hour to have their copies signed, even I wouldn’t have waited that long for me!!!

Now, for all of you who have even seen authors sitting out in front of a bookstore all by their lonesome, take a moment just to stop by and hello, maybe talk about the book a bit, ask a question or two. Just being friendly doesn’t cost a dime but you’ll feel good about it later an s you’ll be appreciated immensely. I promise. You don’t need to feel obligated to buy a book but it can feel mighty lonely out there by times…… I know, I know, you think it might feel a bit awkward. Don’t you? But I have yet to meet another author who wouldn’t appreciate a friendly hello and, I’ll admit to being one of those people who would have walked on by in the past if I didn’t intend to buy a book. But no more.

In the next while I’m gong to post some of my favourite folks at my signings. I had plenty of laughs, received little gifts, (Hey, if you want to win me over just give me a Mars Bar…My little sister showed up at one of the Halifax signings with her two girls and whipped out a dual pack of Mars Bars…Well, she didn’t have to go that far to win me over but the gesture was surely appreciated.) Boy, people are so thoughtful, so friendly.

So that’s it for now, Coles and Chapters, you’re all number one in my book but that Lindt chocolate bar in New Minas kind of pushed it over the top for me.