Relationships--The End-all

Today was a good day, and it all happened because of relationships. As you know, Missing, my mystery novel which wouldn't be nearly as good without the romance--grin--was recently released. To celebrate, on October 22 I had an opening night book signing party at our local bookstore. The event was advertised in our city newspaper, and I sent out 100 postcards to dear friends I've made over the years.

To my surprise and joy, so many of my friends, along with a few people I didn't know, showed up that we sold out of books. That party, to me, was a Jimmy Stewart-like, "It's a Wonderful Life" moment, when suddenly so many of the friends I'd made over the years came to see and support me. It was "wonderful," and it was all due to the relationships I'd made over the years.

Today, however, I received joy from a somewhat different kind of relationship. In past years, I worked at our local middle school. I got to know several of the teachers there, especially those involved in books, and I learned about the dynamics of schools, students, and teaching. Today, I made an author's visit to that school, and though I was busy all day teaching a total of five classes about my pathway to publication, I also basked--literally--in the praise of teachers who had read my book. Literally, I basked, because I didn't have to promote my book. They did. They told the students how good it was, and provided ways for them to get hold of it. And it was all initiated by relationships I'd built over the years. Afterwards, two other teachers asked me to speak to their classes in a month. I'm grateful for these opportunities. I'm thankful for the relationships I have with so many good people. And as far as "authordom" goes, I learned that relationships really are what initiates word of mouth marketing.

But then, you probably know all that. Since you're reading this blog, you're probably either a romance reader or writer, or perhaps both, and you know that good and caring relationships are the core of anything valuable. I mean, what else could make our hearts trip a little too quickly as we turn the next page or or our thoughts sour as we reach for another good book?

Signing Copies of "Illuminations of the Heart" in Arizona Costco's

I've been signing copies of my sweet medieval romance, Illuminations of the Heart, at various Costco locations in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area for the last two weeks. I'm staring down at week three, and will continue the signings through Christmas week. If you live in Arizona, I'd love to have you stop by and say "Hi!" (Click here for my signing schedule.) If you live elsewhere, you can share my "adventures" vicariously via my JDP NEWS blog:

Adventures at My Costco Book Signings

Further Adventures at Costco 

I am way out of my comfort zone here, so yes, it's truly an adventure!