Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Darwin's Paradox: Book Signing at Chapters

Yesterday's book signing at Chapters in Richmond, B.C. was incredibly fun and truly a blast! A second only to that kraglet swimsuit competition on Rigel 9. Despite the fact that I'd sold and published two books prior to "Darwin's Paradox", this was my first big bookstore signing! And I was jazzed. I knew ahead of time, though, that many of my friends couldn't make it; I'd informed them with too little notice. Likewise, my relatives are few and far away (well, being an alien...). Given that friends and relatives are--with the exception of J.K.Rowling, that is-- customarily where an author gets her audience for a signing, I was prepared for a solitary experience, a sole journey. Instead, I got a soul journey...

Prior to going in I had entertained foolish notions of sitting behind a stack of books, bored, as strangers milled past without a glance in my direction. Well, the word bored isn't in my vocabulary and, besides, that isn't my style (as those of you who know me would certainly testify; though I've been also known to have my shy moments...no really! Especially when it comes to THAT....well, you know...I'm too embarrassed to say...) So, when I arrived, energized with a Starbucks cinnamon latte in hand, I donned my sales robes and made a point of greeting my stranger friends. We all had something in common, after all: we all liked books. Determined to sign off all the books Chapters had been kind enough to get for this event, I hailed the merits of my book ("Look at this beautiful cover!) to one and all like a French market vendor...and soon--to my surprise--my off-key singing voice actually brought people flocking forward and I made friends with some wonderful people (who probably don't sing). There was Mark, for instance, a young Vancouver student who studied evolution; there was Karyn, an avid science fiction fan and another Karin, also an avid reader; there was Jacek, an aspiring writer who is writing a very interesting YA novel, who came with his son; there was Craig Bowlsby, a local TV show producer (who I wangled an interview with...you'll see my interview of him here live on this blog later!); there was Kuldip, who wanted to talk philosophy during the whole three hours I was there; and Brenda Carr, another wonderful writer who is currently marketing her mythic fantasy novel (look for it soon!); and so many other wonderful people. My sole journey had become a soul journey. And I did manage to reduce that huge pile of books into a small rubble. It would have dwindled to nothing except that my husband and son wanted to celebrate and successfully lured me away with promises of wine and rich food.

Speaking of souls, Mel over at Monday Morning Power (see my last post), who bestowed upon me the badge for a "winning attitude", would be proud of me. He recently gave me another gift: the gift of friendship (see below). This is how Mel explains it:

"I didn’t start blogging until May of this year. As you may know, the reason I started blogging was to have a vehicle to put out my “Empowerment Process,” which I have been posting in installments. However, what I got was a home for friendships that I feel are as real as the ones in my “real” life. For this I am more thankful than words can express."

"There is something very special and unique about blogging friendships. In “real” life we all have to first get by the physical and superficial aspects of each other before we can get into who we are, really. In “real” life there is so much bull shit that we have to put up with, that sometimes developing true friends becomes very difficult. I feel that with blogging friendships there are no superficial aspects to it; the barriers do not exist. We open up in our writings as to who we really are. We bare ourselves and say “this is me.” For many of us this is the only way that we can truly express ourselves, our opinions, our strengths and our fears. I have also discovered a level of INTEGRITY amongst bloggers that I have not found in “real” life."
Thank you, Mel! You are a wonderful friend. I, in turn bestow this gift to all my blogging friends on MyBlogLog and Blogcatalog, my blogging communities. You folks ALL rock! I'd like to specifically mention the following bloggers who have added so much to make this place a home for me:

Jean-Luc (The Federation)...for your loyalty...(and being so SEXY)
Karen (Nameless Grace)...for your impeccable grace (and for always correcting my spelling! But mostly for your love and faith in me)
Tricia (Modern Matriarch)...for your justice and diligence (and clever mind...you make me think)
WalksFarWoman (Kissing the Dogwood)...for your compassion (and wonderful sense of humor...you make me smile)
Bob (Somerset Bob's Place)...for your honor and integrity (and all those drinks you sent me on Facebook!)
Deborah (Climate of our Future)...for your indomitable spirit (and ALL those MEMEs...geez! You know I love 'em! ... :)
Adria (In Cing)...for your joy and clarity (and endless enthusiasm)
Erik (AuthorsDen)...for your incredible sincerity (and stubbornness! I love our discussions! You keep me honest and I hope you keep doing so...)
Theresa Lucas (Fantasy and Sci-Fi Lovin' Blog)...for your impeccable mind (and warped sense of humor!)
Mel (Monday Morning Power)...for your positive attitude (and rather twisted sense of humor!)
Jennifer (Random Synaptic Transfers)...for your kind friendship (and warped sense of humor...wait...there's a wierd trend happening here...WARP NINE, MR. SPOCK!)
Virginia (Sumptuosity)...for your generosity (and all those beers we slugged back...and will slug back in the future! You slugger, you!)
Lynda (Reality Skimming)...for your sincere and down-to-earth goodness (and your crazy wonderful laugh)
Princess Haiku (Princess Haiku)...for your poetic wisdom (and astute calmness)
Melanie (A Quiet Symphony)...for your beautiful words (and REALLY twisted sense of humor!)
Jon (Chimeric Day Dreams)...for your gentle wisdom and beautiful mind (and beautiful everything.)
Heather (Heather Dugan)...for your kind spirit (and your incredible voice!...Hey, maybe we should do an audio book...oh, we ARE? GREAT!)
Margaret...(who doesn't even have a blog!) for your incredible and steadfast loyalty and friendship for aeons (God knows how you could stand me that long!)

more to come...there are so many of you!...
And here they are! Bloggers who welcomed me so long ago, when I first began blogging. Bloggers who welcomed me with kind advice as my blog clunked along on its new wobbly legs. Bloggers who provided comments and words of encouragement, challenges and amazing humor on my posts. People like:
I'm so looking forward to meeting more bloggers out there and making friends with you.

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Nina! Your novel sounds great--I'll pick it up soon. And I did stumble here and there! More power to you and cheers!

Jean-Luc Picard said...

That last paragraph says it all. There is so much to say for blog friendships.

I wish I was in that queue when you were doing the book signing.

I have given you a well-deserved Award. See my Journal for details.

Unknown said...

Congrats Nina!

I know you were so jazzed ~

P.S. ~ I liked the signs above your head that read: New and Hot...

Nina Munteanu said...

Thanks, Kathleen! Coming from another writer, that means a lot to me. :) ... What can I say, Jean-Luc.... You are a special friend to me...And Karen...my good friend, teacher, colleague, advocate...thanks. And YOU would notice the "New" and "Hot" in the background...Neat, huh?

Jennifer Rahn said...

Girl, you sure know how to come out swinging. (Or should that be singing?) The book looks so shiny! I got an email from Chapters today saying mine is in the post.

"New and Hot" is good. In one of mine it says "30% off Dummies".

Alison said...

Would'a been there, had I been able to fly to Toronto on points on Monday rather than Sunday, for some academic fun. On Monday I was hanging outside Bakka-Phoenix on Queen St W, waiting for them to open.

It will insulate me from reality on Thursday if the weather proves as dire as the forecast.

Congrats!

SQT said...

I'm so excited for you! Congrats on your book.

I love this meme. I have made so many friends through blogging and I'm honored that you count me among yours.

WalksFarWoman said...

Oh Nina! I felt I was there. I'm so happy for you, another day to confine to the memory box as a spectacular success. I wish to complain that I've had your book on pre-order since July 17th and Amazon UK still can't send it to me! I will positively expire if I don't get it soon!!! Love you! x

Nina Munteanu said...

Thanks, everyone for those warm wishes! I am truly warmed by them... Basking, in fact...suntanning even...oh, getting out the sunblock now...

Jean-Luc, thank you for that wonderful award...a kind gesture, friend!

Jen...what can I say...except to laugh. Aren't those signings fun? And you just never know what's behind you!

Alison: sorry I'll just miss you in Toronto! We could've had a few Napoleans together...ah well, the next con, then...

SQT: thanks! The honor is mine. You too have a cool blog, a worthwhile stop for readers interested in fantasy and SF!

WalksFar....Oh, WalksFar...You're going to have to give me your address and I'll send you a copy!!!

Modern Matriarch said...

Congratulations Nina,

I stopped by to check out your book signing and was surprised to find you turning your success into the eloquent praise of others, yet again.

It has been my pleasure getting to know you.

Nina Munteanu said...

And you, Tricia! Thank you. Looking forward to more!

Anonymous said...

NINA!! How truely wonderful!! Congratulations!! I am so honored to be considered one of your blogging friends :-)

Nina Munteanu said...

It's mutual, Deborah! And thanks for all the mem(ories)...hehe... You are a kind soul.

Aaron Wilson said...

I'm so glad that your novel is out there in the world now.

I hope to pick up a copy soon.

Good luck on your next project.

Mark Dykeman said...

Nina, I'm very happy for you. I look forward to purchasing a copy of this novel in the near future! And thanks for the mention!


Regards,



Mark Dykeman

Nina Munteanu said...

Thanks, Aaron and Mark! Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it! ... :)

Mimi Lenox said...

How wonderful for you and so exciting. You are just beaming in those pictures. Sounds like an intriguing book. I wish you great success with it.

Nick Phillips (15/03/1967 - 04/11/2022) said...

Hi, I haven't been here in a while but I just had to drop by and congratulate you on your novel. I wish it was available her for me to get a look see.

Jean-Luc Picard said...

Your Award, which I treasure so much, will be going on my post ASAP.

Thank you so much!

Nina Munteanu said...

Mimi and Nick: Thanks so much for your well wishes! Means a lot to me... :)

And, Jean-Luc...what can I say... :)

josh said...

Amazon says my copy is in the mail. I can't wait!

Congratulations, Nina!

Melanie Faith said...

You're my hero! (er, heroine!)

Joanne said...

Wow, congrats! That's wonderful you enjoyed your book signing so much...for some reason it's so gratifying when things turn out so unexpectedly better than you ever expected. I often find many of my friendships came about this way...take blogging for a prime example! =)

Nina Munteanu said...

Josh: thanks for being there when I started my blog. Sure enjoyed your insightful comments. Can't wait for you to get my book!

Melanie: (Me blushing...never been called a hero before...thanks) You are a great writer (sincere, honest, witty)...

Joanne: Your philosophy is wonderful, Laidback Buddhist! Yes, this blogging community is incredible.

jon said...

I'm with Joanne on this one. The unexpected, when it's wonderful, is an incomparable experience. :)

I thank you for kindness, it means an awful lot to me. :)

You're living my dream! One day, I'd love to share a book with the world. :)

SpacerGuy said...

I wish you every good fortune with Darwins Paradox!!! They say there's at least one book in everyone.

Nina Munteanu said...

Yup!... And looking forward to yours, Spacerguy!

Nina Munteanu said...

p.s. I just love your avatar!... those little people.... eeeeee