How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Book Tour

This new episode of the SneakyArt Podcast was originally titled “Help, I’m an Author, Get me Out of Here” but, the times being what they are, I thought a Dr. Strangelove tribute was more suitable.

Standing on stage in front of strangers to talk about your book may sound terrifying - and sometimes it can be! - but what are some good reasons to embrace the discomfort? Halfway through the Sneaky Book Tour, I share lessons from the road, and reflect on what excites me about speaking about my book with as many people as possible.

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I walk about the store in the final minutes leading up to my event. The weather apps have predicted heavy rain all day, but so far they are wrong. The sun is shining out of a blue sky. The wind is rough, but I figure that is par for the course in Victoria, on Vancouver Island, where the airs and waters of the Pacific Ocean crash against their first rocks before making their way to the mainland.

My event is to begin at 2pm. Fifteen minutes to go. It is the fourth stop on the Sneaky Book Tour, and each one has been unique in its own way. The first was an interview, the second was a self-hosted talk and presentation and, at the third event, the projector stopped working five minutes before I went up. Today, at OPUS Art Supplies in Victoria, there is a table with a simple brown paper cover, copies of my book, and some art supplies with which I will demonstrate my drawing style. Conscious of the need for content, I plan to take lots of photos and videos during the 2-hour session.

As I browse the fine-liner section, in search of a chisel-tip marker, I spot someone picking up my book. I walk up and say, *You should buy that book. It’s really great. *We start talking. Al lives in the Yukon, far to the north. Beautiful country, he says. Al wants to buy the book for his wife who actually draws and paints. What about you? I ask. I do other things, he says, carpentry, metalwork. He tells me about the many things he has made. Al just got back into a reading habit too. We talk about the voices in our head when we read versus the voices that audiobooks force upon us. His wife comes over, and he shows her the book. He says that I should buy it, says Al. Actually, I confess, I wrote it. They laugh. Al cannot believe it, and they buy two books.

I guess this means the event has begun? Attendees are streaming in too. I bring out the sketchbooks I brought along, begin talking, and promptly forget all about taking photos and videos.

It is 4pm by the time the crowd begins to thin. Some have stuck around the whole time, listening to me talk, asking questions, sharing experiences. Only three copies are left unsold. I sign them, pack my things, and remember the chisel-tip marker again. Then, just as I walk towards the aisle, someone comes in and picks up a copy. I stop. We talk. They buy two books as well, one as a gift.

***

Before leaving, I give a thank-you card to the staff, with this drawing on the envelope.

I take the ferry back to the mainland, and by the time I am ready to drive home it is finally raining. Big buckets of rain, everything that was promised throughout the day.

Reader, were you at the Victoria event? Perchance, did you take any pics?

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