Well Saturday was my first book-signing. I was at a Barnes & Noble here in Houston, and I have to admit, it didn’t go at all the way I expected it to. First off, I was placed smack in front of the entrance, seated at a long black table with a small pyramid of books to sign and sell. I was a little intimidated, but I supposed this was a good set-up, being a high-traffic area, and I certainly didn’t want to run out of books prematurely. (I didn’t). To my right, was a charity gift wrap table, with the charity being retired greyhound racers…so there were between four and six greyhounds beside me at any given time. And then it was the day before Father’s Day, so busy, busy.

What I didn’t really expect, but maybe should have, was that the second people came in the door and saw a person sitting there facing them, they immediately looked away–at anything but me. And it wasn’t because I was hawking a book not to their taste (although perhaps the innuendo inherent in Unladylike Pursuits made some a bit uncomfortable…). Still, it didn’t seem as if they even bothered to look it over. They were intent upon escape.

Only a couple of people looked at the typed up reviews I’d set out on the table, no one took a bookmark, and only women who had already had their books signed took one of my cards. In truth I expected the women to be more curious about a romance author–and a new one at that! The men, however, were plenty curious (again, maybe I have the title of the novel to thank for that). A couple wanted to talk about publishing, one about absolutely anything (he came back for an encore), and several either inquired whether I had written the book or stared covertly at the books and little announcement sign.

I have to admit to being a bit befuddled. Authors are normal people. I was happy to talk about my book, and my feelings weren’t the slightest bit hurt if someone looked at the book and didn’t buy it. Romance is not for everyone (or so I’m told). Maybe I should have asked to borrow a greyhound for my table and helped put a few people at ease. Live and learn.

Just finished reading Ann Brashares’ The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and I loved it! It was such a fun read, so magical and intelligent…and so addictive. And it was a debut, no less! I have a special little interest in debuts. Of course I can claim the connection that have a recent one myself, but as a reader, I love coming upon new discoveries. I feel like a founding member of the fan club, in charge of membership.

When the book is finished, there is always the immediate let-down that there aren’t any more to read yet and then the great anticipation of waiting for the next one and savoring each and every word. But while finding a new author gives me a little moment of giddy excitement and hours of private enjoyment in the reading of her work, I’m never stingy with my good fortune. I want to tell everyone and encourage each and every one of them to buy the book and read it. A good author can change your life–for just a few hours or maybe even for forever–so holding on to the good ones is important. And finding a new one is full of promise.

Now I just need to get my hands on The Second Summer of the Sisterhood and find out what happens to those girls…

I got my first comment! And while I appreciate it, I don’t much understand it. The commenter indicated that people go to movies with someone–like a significant other, but they read books alone. My response is, “Yeah, so?”

Does that mean that a romantic movie is somehow going to inspire or rub-off on a couple seeing it together? Maybe. But is that the only reason to see the movie? Of course not. And that is not to say that movies that dabble in romance (Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, National Treasure…even Robots!) have nothing else to offer.

The same is true of a romance novel. Romance has found its way into virtually every sort of genre: suspense, mystery, historical, contemporary, paranormal, inspirational, classic literature, and more. Why? Because it’s part of life; it’s exciting, entertaining and fun. The relationship between the two main characters need not even be the reason you read a book classified as romance. You could be looking for humor, escapism, fantasy, or thrilling scenes. And you can find all that in a romance novel. The kicker is that you can find it in the romance portion of the story too. Two for one! Come on now, who doesn’t love a bargain?

I challenge all smirking nonbelievers to just try reading a romance written in the style of your normal preference. See what you think, and if you like it, have the guts to admit it to someone.