Readers are Writers

I am a bookaholic.  I enjoy reading and have since I was very young.  I could read at an advanced reading level at age 4.  Yes, I started that early!  I had special assignments in school above my grade levels because of it and I could check out any books I wanted no matter what grade level they were intended for at the time.  

My childhood consisted of weekly trips to the public library, and I would check out as many books as I could.  I also climbed trees and would sit their for hours reading my books!

I still love books and reading.  It goes without saying that I have a thing for bookstores, too!  Any time I go out of town for a business or personal trip, I look for a local bookstore to visit.  

This past weekend I went to one of my favorite bookstores in Asheville.  I like this bookstore (Mr. K’s) a lot because it has an excellent Poetry section - even better than the ones at the “big box” stores.  I found plenty of other books I wanted to read too - short stories, sci fi, fiction, new thrillers, etc.  

To do anything well it helps to practice - I know I see an improvement in my guitar and ukulele playing from this.  That’s what makes reading so important for writers.  I see many authors I follow on Insta posting about books they are reading as well.  

Do you read?  What books are you reading?

Here’s my weekend book haul:

What’s In a Book Signing?

Last Saturday, I had a general book signing.  My local bookstore partners with local authors and is very supportive of them all.  

Why have a book signing?  As a reader, I really enjoy getting signed copies of books, especially if it’s a book I really end up liking!  I also like finding bargain books, usually poetry, that are signed - those are the best finds!

I am a poet and writer, so I have poetry books, mysteries, literary fiction, non-fiction, short stories and romance to offer.  Many of my books are locally set.  Several of my poetry books are place poetry books - place poems define place.  I have written one cookbook with my dog!  Actually, I did the writing and he posed for the pictures.  

It’s good to have a book signing so you can connect with your readers.  I find that I have loyal readers who like to read a variety of my offerings.  It’s also good to have a book signing to connect with your local literary community.  While I was at my signing and because of my signing, I made a few useful literary connections as well.

Like most writers, I am most comfortable simply writing, publishing or submitting and pretty much keeping to myself.  But it is good to do online open mics, online literary events or in person lit events (as you are able) so you can really talk to your readers.  It’s like those review snippets in magazine pages or ones written on index cards and pasted to bookshelves in your favorite bookstore - you can talk about your stories or poems and let people know what you’d recommend of yours for them to read!