Give Thanks...Felt Like Old Times

 Eleven years ago, a small publisher chose one of my stories to include in an anthology. Unlike almost all the authors I know, I did NOT know from childhood that I wanted to be a writer. Oh, I had dabbled, but I never thought I was smart enough or good enough to actually produce something anyone would want to read.

I went back to school, earned my masters in English, and started writing.

I was almost forty-five years old.

My story, a steampunk re-telling of H.C. Christensen's The Little Match Girl, was published through Xchyler Publishing and in the summer of 2013, a Steampunk Convention was held about ten miles from my house a few months later. I was asked to be on a writing panel about the book, steampunk, and writing in general. I was on Cloud 9. The first story I ever submitted was actually published.

For the next few years, I had a few other stories published, then a collection of my short stories, then a novel. And I kept going to book signings. Those first few were so exciting. My name on books...it felt sort of surreal. People actually buying my books was icing on the cake.

Then, when I didn't generate new material, I'd sit with friends and no one would buy anything from me. I still loved being around other authors, but things had changed. Eventually (and covid didn't help...), I stopped doing signings. 

Our little town has a summer reading kickoff party, in fact, it's called the Summer Reading Kickoff Party. This year's even took place last Friday and I asked if I could participate. They said yes, and I had a blast. I was proud of my little books, proud again of what I've written. That pride sort of dissipated over the years. I talked to everyone who showed up at my table, and as I packed up to go home, I had sold four books.

It's been a long time since I sold that many books at one signing. 

Maybe it's because I have two books written waiting to find a home. Maybe it's because it's been so long since I did a book signing. I don't know, but I do know I'm thankful for the opportunity, the chance to talk to people who love to read. I'm thankful for those who have supported my little hobby for the past ten-plus years and hopefully, for years to come. 

Last Friday...well, it felt like old times.

Find Me At FanX...And I'll Sign Your Book (Even If I Didn't Write It...)

One cool thing about anthologies (among many cool things...) is you get to have your stories along side so many other amazing authors's stories. The last story I submitted was fortunate enough to be included in a collection contained not in just one book, but four.

That's a lot of authors and a lot of stories.

Three of the books, All Made of Hinges, Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel, and Press Forward, Saints are now available (my short's in the yellow one...). The fourth book in the series is being compiled right now. In fact, here's the information on A Mighty Fortress:

Immortal Works (editor Holli Anderson) hereby calls for submissions for an anthology of MORMON STEAMPUNK to be called A MIGHTY FORTRESS.

Here is the deal:

1. The writer’s religious affiliation is completely irrelevant. We don’t care; we don’t even want to know.

2. The story does not have to be set in any particular world. The story must be in some sense “Mormon” and in some sense “Steampunk.” We’ll try to interpret those categories both broadly.

3. If your story is faith-promoting (Mormonism is “true” in the story), we’ll stop reading it. If it is mean-spirited (Mormons are all idiots), we’ll also stop reading it.

4. Stories should be at least 2,000 words long and generally no more than 8,000 words.

5. The deadline for submissions is April 23, 2019 or until filled.

6. Authors will not receive up-front payments. Authors will share in the revenues from sales of the book over time and will receive one (1) complimentary author copy.

7. Send submissions to hollia (at) immortal-works.com. Include the words “A MIGHTY FORTRESS SUBMISSION” in the subject line.

So, if you've got an idea for a great story and you're a quick writer, follow the instructions and submit!

I know what you're thinking..."Hey, I've got one of the three (or all of the three...) Mormon Steampunk anthologies. If only there were a way for me to get authors to sign them for me."

Well, your prayers have been answered!

Kind of.

If you're attending the FanX Comics Convention in Salt Lake this weekend, you will have the opportunity of running into (perhaps literally...) several authors with stories in these volumes. In fact, at 11:45am on Friday, there will be a mass signing at Booth 1546. I'm going to try and be there, but I know many of the authors will be there with pen in hand to autograph your book(s).

Don't have a copy/copies? No problem! We'll have them available, too!

If you're going, swing by Booth 1546, or several authors will also be at Bart's Tower on the vendor floor. Come on by, strike up a conversation. And I promise I'll sign any book you have, whether or not I've written it.

I'm sure I'm not the only one, either.

Hanging Out At A Little Book Fair...

Just like with anything, I suppose, authors have varying degrees of enthusiasm when it comes to promoting their works. I've seen writers who have published picture books that contain only slightly embellished stick figures. We all have our own opinion about what is good and what is not good art. Personally, I probably wouldn't have published books like that, but they did.

Wednesday night I had the incredible experience of participating in a book fair at a local elementary school. I don't attend a lot of these type events. In fact, it was a first for me. I had no idea what to expect. Okay, that's not completely true. I knew there'd be kids and parents and other authors. All of that happened. I didn't expect the students to make me an adorable poster.

I met some amazing local authors that I hadn't met before. As they unpacked their books it became obvious my books were not quite tailored to the age group (especially my copies of Redneck Eldridge...). And my book Chaser was written for jr. high schoolers. 

I wondered if I would sell any books. I ended up doing pretty good. Plus, I met parents who were invested in getting their kids to read--that's a great thing.

After the parents and their children all had left and us authors had all our books packed and loaded into our cars, I thought about my night. With all the options our society has these days--streaming videos, movies, sports events--it felt good to be part of an event that celebrated the written word, and that, in a small way, I was part of that world.

Yes, I need to do more self-promotion. And if that means doing more events like the one this past week, what a wonderful way to do it...

Even if it's embellished stick figures.

I Survived...My First Book Signing

Last week I announced on my blog that I would be doing a book signing on Saturday at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in West Jordan, Utah. Needless to say, the response was wonderful. I had over six-hundred views on my blog (I average about 100 views per blog post...), and I had several likes, comments, and shares from my Facebook post. 

It made the thought of doing a book signing less terrifying.

Perhaps I should clarify. 

I always thought doing a book signing could be an amazing experience. People would come over to the table, talk about books and your book in particular, and even buy a book signed specifically for either them or someone they knew. But there'a also a down side to doing a book signing.

What if no one showed up?

It's kind of like doing stand-up comedy. What if no one laughed?

I was contacted by a representative of my publisher, asked if I'd be available on the 15th, and I told him I was. I then asked if any other authors were going to be there. "Nope, just you," he said. 

Okay, I thought...authors do book signings all the time. It'll be fun. Besides, I had FanX and starting my Halloween gig coming up to distract me from the thought of people not showing up. The days passed and finally Saturday arrived.

Time for the big event.

I should say that walking into the store and seeing my book on the table was a very cool thing. I got a blueberry muffin and some orange juice, set up my table, put up my signs with quotes from my friend Marion Jensen, and then waited. 

At first, no one came. I then saw a familiar face, a face I'd known for decades--my cousin stopped by and picked up a book. I took a selfie. Next my family showed up. Since it was Saturday morning, I wasn't sure if they were coming--there's so much to do on Saturdays. They wanted to surprise me and they did.

I was there for three hours. I sold almost as many books as I did during the three days of FanX. Sure, there were times when no one talked to me (even with my signs...) or seemed interested in my book at all. This was what I was worried about. But something interesting happened. 

I look around. Even though I didn't have dozens and dozens of people lined up, nor were there boxes and boxes of books sold, nor did my hand cramp up because I was signing so many books, it hit me. I was in a bookstore and my book was just as accessible as all the other books and I could talk to people about it. At that moment I didn't care if no one was showing up or those other things weren't happening. I was at a book signing, it was my book, and I was the author. The feeling was awesome!

Thanks to everyone who stopped in and said "hi." Thanks to everyone who offered support on social media. Especially, thanks to my wonderful family and friends who have always supported me. You're the best! Now, let's set up another signing! I'm ready to go!

My First Book Signing Is This Saturday...AND I NEED YOU THERE!!

There are certain things that happen when you're an author, or things you think happen when you're an author. You write a book, sign a contract, hold a physical copy of your book in your hands, post (beg...) a request for friends/relatives to buy your book, wish you could have done a better job on the book, and ponder why more people aren't buying your book.

Another thing that's supposed to happen is you go on a world-wide tour signing books in front of thousands of faithful fans.

Of those things, I've done almost all of them--except for the book signing.

This Saturday, from 10am to 1pm at the West Jordan Barnes & Noble Bookstore, I will be sitting/standing behind a desk, looking at people as they wander in and hopefully getting them a book they've been looking for, but didn't know where to find it.

And I'd LOVE to see you there!



I've watched my friends hold book signings. I've been a bit envious, but at the same time, nervous at the prospect of being in their shoes. I spent three days last weekend at Salt Lake FanX Comic Convention and I saw thousands upon thousands of potential customers walk by. I spoke with many and even sold a lot of books--I found out today it was my most successful convention ever!

I think FanX was a good warm-up for my first book signing. The FanX guests were there for a myriad of reasons--cosplay, celebrities, panels, artists, and thousands of others. Yes, people who wanted to buy books were at FanX and we found many of them, but so many others weren't looking fo books. Saturday, except for those who go to B&N for the coffee and danish, they'll be readers, readers looking for middle-grade interplanetary stories about boys and their dogs.

So, if you can, I'd love to see you Saturday morning! Take out your phones, pull up your Calendar App, enter in the following information:

Scott Taylor's First-Ever Chaser Book Signing!
West Jordan Barnes & Noble Bookstore
10am - 1pm
Jordan Landing
7157 Plaza Center Drive
West Jordan, Utah 84084
801-282-1324

But seriously, it would be awesome to hang out and chat with you. Hopefully, I'll see you there!

A Book Signing In West Jordan, Utah...

It's been a while since I've been to a book signing. Back in the day, when I thought about book signings, I imagined what took place at book signings. There would be a table with books, of course, The author sitting with a collection of pens greeting each guest with a warm smile, a little banter, and a lot of autographs. I saw long lines of excited patrons waiting their turn to greet, banter, and receive the signature.

And I suppose many book signings are just like that. But there are other kinds of book signings out there and they go a little differently than what I've described. Sure there's a desk, some pens, lots of books, and (usually...) a smiling author. Sometimes, however, that long line of anxious and excited book-carrying people just doesn't materialize and people can approach the author without having to wait their turn.

This is, in no way, a reflection on the author, or the quality of his/her writing, it's just a fact of life. Unless you're a household name, or a household name among a specific fanbase or group of people, long lines just don't happen when you're doing a solo book signing. At least, that's what I've seen a couple of times.

At today's event while I was there, a few of Dave's friends gathered to chat and wish him well. If you know Dave, he's a great conversationalist, among other things. And he many times brings along a beautiful guitar on which he strums. I brought my copy of his latest novel. I did not buy it today, but I did buy it at a Barnes & Noble bookstore last month. I stood in line, sort of. I was a little anxious and a little excited, and I was greeted with a smile. So, I guess it's not the quantity of who attends, but the quality of experience of those who do.

Mrs. Hovley, Your Table Is Ready...

This afternoon my family got to go to a book signing, a real, live "watch an author sit at a table and autograph books that will be purchased" book signing. And what makes it even better is that the author signing the books is the moderator for my kids' writing class.

I've been to only one official book launch. It was last year at the King's English Book Store in Salt Lake City. Today's was different...more space. We picked up a book, signed to the family and brought it home. My daughter began reading the book in the car.

Unpublished authors wonder what it's like to sit at a table with a stack (or stacks...) of your freshly printed books before you. They wonder what it feels like to have friends and strangers approach--some excited, some a little embarrassed--and ask, "So, you wrote this?" And you say, "Yes." And they say, "What's it about?" And you tell them.

 

Well, tonight there's one less person wondering what that feels like. Congratulations Margot!