Speed Dating

Saturday morning, I nervously stood amidst tables filled with fresh-baked pastries, delectable fruit trays, and coffee cups ready to wake the world up. Even though everything looked and smelled delicious, there was no way I could eat anything. My stomach was in knots. I was about to participate as an author in my library's annual Local Author Breakfast. I was to talk about Midnight Playground, writing, myself, and answer questions from strangers and neighbors for 120 minutes: eight 15-minute periods. It was speed dating but between readers and authors.

All in all it was an enjoyable morning. It was flattering to hear comments from readers who'd already read Midnight Playground. One said, "Tango became another character for me." It was fun to watch the facial expressions when I 'warned' them that the book is 'pretty passionate.' But, I assured them, no one had complained to me about it, yet. One reader excitedly stated after our table's discussion that she was extremely interested in my book now.  She rushed to purchase it from the Left Bank book employee and brought it to me to sign, saying she'd never had a book signed by the author before.  What a humbling moment...

Many complimented me on Midnight Playground and said they looked forward to reading anything else I wrote.  There was laughter, great questions, and tons of encouragement from the participants. 

I'm hopeful they'll invite me back after the next book comes out, and the next, and the next...
This is the kind of speed dating I could get used to.
​xx-SR