Cindy Bradford book signing

I have a book signing tonight at Paragraphs on Padre, here on the island. This will be my second at this location, but the first for Promises Kept. As always, I’m looking forward to it, but worried about how many will attend and how it will go.

The bookstore owners, Griff and Joni, who are so supportive and special, placed a great advertisement in the local newspaper and notified folks through the Chamber of Commerce list, but lots of locals are on vacation, and visitors are too busy putting aloe on their blistered skin and tossing back a Corona to come see me. They just don’t know what they’re missing. The sun will be down, and there’s plenty of beer on the island to last—believe me!

Nonetheless, I’m always excited and greet the event with anticipation and a positive attitude; as positive as a struggling writer can. I remind myself it’s not about how many books I sell; it’s about how the book is received by those who read it.

Of course, my perfect signing would be in New York City or Paris, with people lined up out the door, clamoring to get in, fighting over the last book. Quit snickering—we all have our dreams! I’m just willing to share mine.

If you’re in the area, drop by tonight. There will be wine and cheese, and lots of good conversation. If you are miles away, just think about me—that’s what friends are for.

If you have a relationship with a bookstore in your area, I would appreciate if you could make an introduction. I may be coming to a book signing near you. You can go to BookTour.com for my schedule or other book signings in your area.

You Don't Have to Shovel Rain

(Continued from No Electricity No DSL Feb. 8 ) It was pouring buckets of rain all through the 1:00 book signing, but a few brave souls ventured forth and bought my book. They were all from northern climates so cool air and rain didn’t deter them. One lady said, “Hey, you don’t have to shovel rain.”

After the signing, my agent, Chris and friend Gayle went to Zeste, a local bistro, for a late lunch and of course, a celebratory glass of wine. As we were admiring the local art adorning the walls, the artist, Carol Plumb, and her mother came in with some of her small paintings. It was fun to meet and talk with another “local” struggling to let the world to know there is talent on this tiny island!

Before long it was time for the evening book signing. (Still pouring rain!) I was super excited and for good reason. Visiting with friends and making new ones was special, not to mention hearing compliments on Keeping Faith. I was truly fortunate to have the signing at Paragraphs on Padre. Not only is it a beautiful store, it is homey and welcoming, and feels like a book store should. The owner, Joni, and husband, Griff, were wonderful hosts and kind enough to provide hors d’ oeuvres and wine.

To top off what turned out to be a very special day, in spite of the dubious beginning in the early hours, a group of us went to The Shrimp Haus where Leslie, unquestionably the best performer on the island, was singing ‘50’s music. Of course, there were so many “Winter Texans” there that we couldn’t find a seat. Heck, at first I was thinking I should have had my signing there.

At least a 100 Q-tips (you have to have read The Q-Tips Are Coming to understand) filled the place, but then I was brought back to the reality that these people are “tight as Dick’s hatband,” (Did You See the Blue Moon) when I noticed the tip jar had about four one dollar bills in it, and Leslie had been singing her heart out for at least an hour and a half. These folks must have thought we were back in the 50’s! It was a magical day and night, and one I won’t soon forget. Hey, it’s not every day that a person is blessed enough to read a passage of her own book to strangers and sign a copy for a friend.

The book signing at Paragraphs on Padre went great and even though the weather was cool and very wet, the turnout was pretty good. But at 7:00 that morning, you would have had a difficult time convincing me the day would turn out well.

First, I woke to a loud pop, pouring rain and no electricity. Apparently the loud pop was a transformer gone wild. So, I dragged myself out of bed to call the electric company and got the standard, “We apologize for any inconvenience.” “Inconvenience Lady! I’m calling you using a flashlight!” That is what I wanted to say, but instead I remained cool, calm, and polite, which sometimes in situations like these, is not easy for me. This time, I knew it wasn’t her fault or that of some incompetent person who screwed up. (That’s probably a blog all its own)

Besides I was saving my tirade for AT&T. An hour later the power came on, and I quickly checked my computer to find that AT&T had finally reset my DSL, but the modem wouldn’t work. Now, this is a real inconvenience, and once again came the apologies which I had heard for the last two days, so I just told the lady to forgo all the canned statements and FIX MY INTERNET!!! Remember in an earlier blog (Yes, I’m Internet Dependent), I wrote about not having service for a few days in Ruidoso, and I didn’t handle it well. Ditto, this time!

And actually this whole problem was self-induced! For the first time ever, I had decided that I was going to be gone so long that I would put the home phone on “vacation.” Bad decision on my part, but my understanding was that AT&T would turn on the phone and DSL on the agreed upon date. Wrong! Not only were neither working when I returned, the DSL was completely disconnected so I had to start over like a new customer.

After five days of no DSL, I then spent two hours with some representative in Michigan, getting the modem to reconnect and so on. The first 30 minutes I got the idea that her morning hadn’t started out too well, either, but shortly thereafter she warmed up and we sort of bonded I guess, because she told me what she had for breakfast—pretzels and peanut butter.  Then in the middle of the “modem fix” I heard a loud slurp and she said she was having a cup of tomato soup!!!! Geez, Lady. I really didn’t need to know about the weather in Michigan or the fact that she was going to spend some time in Ft. Worth this summer, but admittedly, we did have a lot of wait time, while things were rebooting and so forth.

Finally, I was back on line and much happier, but running way behind schedule. After a haircut, I returned home to put on my make-up and get ready for the first signing at 1:00, and guess what??? The electricity went off AGAIN. Now, I wasn’t about to go to the book signing with one eye made up and one not, so I dragged all my paraphernalia and a small mirror to the nearest window for light. Presto, the power returned; I finished my second eye—thank goodness I don’t have more than two because the power went off again, but I was ready and out the door. (to be continued)

Paragraphs Book Store

Although I was tremendously excited for my first book signing of Keeping Faith, which was held at Atticus in Ruidoso, NM, I am totally giddy about tomorrow’s signing at “Paragraphs on Padre.”

After all, South Padre is home, and hopefully, many of my friends will join me to share in my excitement. What makes it really special is my agent, Chris, is flying in from Houston as are my friends Iris and Paul.

The first signing is from 1:00-2:00, and then the owner has asked if I will return at 6:00-7:30 for book signings, discussions about how and why I wrote the book, and Q&A. Wine and cheese will be served at the evening event. If you are in the area, please stop by this warm and friendly bookstore right on Padre Blvd. It’s a beautiful, charming recent addition to the island, and a great place to find your favorite book and even enjoy it in one of the comfortable chairs. If you are miles away and can’t be here, then please wish me luck.

Atticus Books & Teahouse

In all the holiday excitement, I almost forgot to share my book signing experience with you. Obviously, I was excited and a little nervous. After all, it’s not every day someone has a book signing. I should not have worried because most of the people there were locals who apparently hang out at Atticus Books and Tea House to drink tea, eat scones and hear the musicians, but it wasn’t a complete bust, and I did finally get to sign.

The musicians were good, the crowd jovial, except for one cranky old woman who said my book was depressing and so was the music!!! She didn’t even read the back of the book, much less the inside, and the music was a wide mixture, including some upbeat Christmas. I was glad when she left, and everyone else probably was too. But before she left, she was bragging about being a Sagittarius who spoke her mind, and then I found out we share the same birthday!!! Urggggggggg!

As you can see from the photo, the place is quaint. The inside is quite Bohemian, with all sorts of “bookish things” one might not find elsewhere—a fun, cozy place for a cold, Saturday afternoon in the mountains.

Cindy Bradford's first book signing at Atticus

Dateline: Ruidoso NM, Nov 30 — I am sitting in front of a blazing fire, having a hot chocolate and taking in the beauty of the snow covered pines and Sierra Blanca Mountains. It has been snowing since early yesterday, and the weather experts are predicting it to last until Wednesday. Right now, I’m loving it, but by Thursday I may have a severe case of cabin fever. Since I’m not exactly good at driving in snow, I think I’ll stay holed up until things look at least slushy.

I have plenty to keep me busy, not the least of which is editing the final copy of Promises Kept, the sequel. I think it is so much better than the first book, but maybe I am just tired of dealing with Patrick—after all it did take a few years for him to leave home and go on his publishing journey. Never been so glad to get rid of a man in my life!!!

And speaking of Keeping Faith, I am beyond excitement because I have my very first book signing scheduled here in Ruidoso on Dec. 19. It will be at the cutest, quaintest little book store you can imagine. On a hill among the trees, Atticus Books and Tea Room is a cozy place with shelves lined with books from every genre, wooden floors, fresh scones made daily and almost any kind of hot tea a person could want. And although I’m not a hot tea person, I wish I were every time I go there. On the Saturday of my signing there will be a young woman there providing Joan Baez kind of music (do you remember her?) so I think that will be pretty cool!  The whole place reminds me of a throwback book store from the sixties, and it has “come in, sit awhile, read, visit and enjoy” written all over it.

Cindy Bradford enjoying the snow (and the fake bears) in Ruidoso