This spring has been quite the crazy whirl for us Chicks, and as we barrel into summer it doesn’t look as if things will slow down anytime soon. There are pros and cons to that, of course, but this past weekend one of us did a Very Good Thing: She spent quality time with a great group of authors and readers at her local library…
The more things change, the more they stay the same. One hundred percent true, I’ve always believed–especially when those “things” had to do with the roller coaster world of Author Land. I may even have been a teensy bit smug about it. But maybe, just maybe, I’ve been wrong.
Recently I was delighted to receive an invitation to participate in the annual author meet-and-greet and book signing at our local library. Almost exactly 2 years ago I wrote about this same event (Yes, You May Take One Giant Author Step), and how we authors were beginning to venture out on the road again after, well…you know. When I reread the post I realized I’d almost forgotten setting up my book table outdoors with a bottle of Purell and debating whether to offer visitors wrapped Starburst tropical candies not-in-a-dish.
This year Sam, our amazing librarian, moved the event to mid-June rather than earlier spring, in hopes that the weather might be a little warmer here in NH. As it turned out, we had a bit of a monsoon (okay, a major one), so Sam set up a lovely room upstairs in the library with tables to fit 13 authors. She also offered us water and hot cocoa. (Thank you, Sam!) The pounding rain and darkness outside, plus the warm lighting and smell of books, lent a very cozy atmosphere.
As always, I was thrilled at the chance to chat with fellow authors and learn more about them and their books. We represented a variety of genres, from romance to sci fi to poetry to memoir to kids’ books of all kinds to historical to…well, you get the idea. There was another crime writer amongst us, who will now be joining us at Sisters in Crime (she signed up on the spot!). Another author wrote in several genres, including the true-crime story of the first recorded murder in tiny Henniker, NH. (A young couple went on a carriage ride in the 1800s. The horse came back without its passengers. Brrr…)
Here are a few pix from the event–and of the lovely Fuller Public Library in Hillsborough. It was once a private mansion, complete with fireplaces, gorgeous woodwork and Tiffany glass. There might even be a ghost or two. (Well, I like to think so.)
I didn’t get a group photo, unfortunately, and of course there were many other wonderful authors as well. At the end there was quite the flurry packing up, as the weather took an even more furious turn. I took a little extra time on my way out to chat with Sam and soak up the bookish atmosphere. I like to pretend I am a Victorian lady in a ball gown descending the staircase:
See what I mean about the ghosts? If you need more convincing, check out this guy, whom I initially figured had stepped from a Jane Austen novel. But I think this is actually my old president buddy Franklin Pierce, whose boyhood home is here in Hillsborough.
Anyway, back to things staying the same and never changing. I realized on my way out that, other than conferences and these wonderful events, my author life (and most of the rest of it) has been completely online for the past few years. Things are sort-of normal now, but not quite the same. I don’t write in coffee shops anymore, or even the library, like I used to. And I miss it. So maybe the more things change, the more you have to work on keeping the things you WANT to stay the same. Does that make sense?
Oh, and here’s a photo of me at my table. Thanks again, Sam, and see you next year, Fuller Library author event–but I’ll be back way before that!
Readers, what do YOU want to always stay the same–or change forever? Tell us in the comments below!
Chicks on the Case 
I’m not a fan of change. I get set in my ways and I can’t blame it on getting older as I’ve always been this way.
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You are Queen of your own world, Queen!
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What a lovely old place! We can’t fight change, might as well try to accept it. The whole world changed with Covid, for sure. I wonder if the BC (before C) world will ever completely return. Congrats on this event!
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Guess we’ll just keep rolling in the new “normal,” Kaye. Maybe it was never normal anyway, lol.
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OMG, that’s the most beautiful library I’ve ever seen! What a great event. As to change… hmmm. If I’m honest, I’d have to say I’m not a fan. I made one giant change in my life – moving across the country from NY to LA. That was in 1990 and I’m still adjusting to it!
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That was one huge change, El! But now you have a new, happy change to your household–a new furry member!
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PS: I wore the shamrock earrings you gave me at LCC!
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But I’m so glad you’re close to me!
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What a lovely event in a gorgeous building! What a nice place to be when it’s pouring outside. I’d like some things to change, but I really like virtual events.
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Oh, I love virtual events, Mary! I even write in focus sessions every day with a group on Zoom.
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Something I’d like to change is the policy of our local library regarding donated books. In our county, if a author donates a book to the library, it isn’t considered for space on the shelf. Rather, it’s automatically placed in the once-a-year library book sale so the library can convert it to money. So as an indie author, there’s no way I can get my book considered for inclusion in the library. Now I realize that not every book can be given space but I do think that, especially for a local author, consideration for inclusion should be given. Of course, that would involve someone actually reading the book to make a decision…
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Oh, Tom, that’s a tough one! Maybe you could ask some of your local fans, friends & family to put in requests as well? It’s a shame your library doesn’t have a section or table highlighting local authors. Maybe you could offer to do a talk re: your writerly experiences or give a presentation for those are thinking of indie pubbing themselves?
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Agree about having people suggest your book to the local library—they often have forms for this on library websites.
Another way for indies to get distribution (at least online) is to be involved with Indie Author Project: https://indieauthorproject.com/
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Great info, Jen! Thank you!
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What a beautiful library! Here in Queens NY we have some beautiful libraries, but nothing so historic. One thing that I’d like to see stay the same is fairly recent, having events with both in person and virtual attendance. I recently registered for an author event a couple of hours away, but felt ill that morning and stayed home but watched all of the panels on my computer!
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Judith, so glad you got to attend! I agree, hybrid events are fantastic. I particularly love to attend live/virtual presentations and classes offered by other Sisters in Crime chapters. I really appreciate that virtual attendees are included as direct audience members, too, (chat, Q&A, etc.). Everything but the snacks, ha.
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Change has to happen, so I look upon it as a new adventure to conquer.
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And we know you always do, Dru Ann! (But let’s talk about how we might deal with that situation regarding your beautiful view.)
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That’s a change that I lost. 😦
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I gave that a commiseration “like,” Dru Ann!
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What a lovely and historical library, Lisa! I like certain things to stay the same, like kindness. And I prefer changes that connect us such as video calling and email.
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The perfect changes to champion, Jen! (I admit to being weirded out by those new headsets, though. Maybe not those.)
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Good grief, what a gorgeous library, Lisa! Perfect setting for a—well, you know. As for change? I’m a big fan. I figure if I’m not moving forward, I’m standing still. And if I’m standing still, I’m not learning anything or growing as a person.
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Becky, I can’t imagine you ever standing still–and I mean that in the very best way. I usually imagine you tap dancing your way forward. Way to grow!
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Hurrah for libraries! Let’s hope they stay the same for a LONG time! And my, oh my, does that one look beautiful!
As for changes that COVID brought us, I do love that so many events are now virtual as well as in-person, since that means I don’t miss as much when in Hawaiii.
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What a beautiful library, Lisa. If that’s the one you wrote in, no wonder you miss it.
I am getting back to events – my schedule is pretty full for the next few months. I don’t want authors ability to connect to readers – in some way, shape, or form – to ever change.
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Sounds like a fun event. Wish I could have attended.
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Me too, Mark! Hope to see you in person again very soon.
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Lisa, your library is beautiful! I think you should don a Victorian frock and do a photo shoot on that staircase! We’re lucky here to have a Carnegie library that is also pretty posh.
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Ooo, Vickie, how nice! Is it the Ishpeming one?
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Both the Ishpeming and Marquette libraries were built by Carnegie!
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I do not like change. When watching a movie with Sean Connery as King Arthur saying something about change being good, I beg to differ. It seems that if we change things that are working, things just get worse. Like our world right now. Why do we want to change or transform America when it was working well. It is being ruined by the powers that be. I want life to be good and just let us all live our lives. That library is the epitome of America.
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What a lovely space for an event— I totally want to snug up in a corner there and read!
Stay the same—the joy of book stores and book conferences.
Change forever — the number of calories in cookies!
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Oh, this looks like such a lovely event! So happy that you had a wonderful time.
Please tell us more about the adorable tiny typewriter on your table too…
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That adorable tiny typewriter is actually…a working teapot! The roller lifts up and voila! I got it on Etsy after I saw another author on FB buying one on a trip to England.
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Lisa, I love this so much! What a fabulous venue that library is, and it looks like an amazing time was had by all. ❤
I'm fairly malleable to change, but I do pine for the days of pantyhose that came in eggs. I know it's a pretty unpopular opinion, but I loved donning "Suntan" hosiery with any dress or skirt!
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