David Fingerman

Friday night I did a reading at DreamHaven Books in south Minneapolis (thank you Eric and Greg) and all of my worlds collided. You know how you try and keep one group of friends separate from other groups of friends, and all friends separate from family? I had family show up, writer friends, non-writer friends, even some former co-worker friends who I haven’t seen for ages stop in. And I could feel a few friends show up in spirit who couldn’t make it physically. There were even a couple of people I didn’t recognize. The reading went great and I got bunches of kudos for my reading abilities (friends and family would tell me if i sucked, right? well, I know of a few friends that would – and they didn’t). The night ended with a number of us going down the street to a local bar (I’ll say no more about that).

The next morning I packed my books and headed to the Bloomington Book Fair. Was it a success? If I was there just to sell books, it was a disaster. I sold one book. But I had a blast. Setting up I was pleased to see my good friend H. L. Montgomery (Skinwalker Moon) at the table next to me. One table down on the other side Chuck Tindell (The MAC Detective Agency Mysteries) had already set up, across the way, friend and poet Diana Lundell (Awaking Indigo) and friend and writer Maria Marud (I apologize, Maria, I can’t remember the name of your book – color me embarrassed). Down the hall, another good friend and romance writer Deborah Krider (Even in Stillness There is Rhythm) was setting up. In the children’s book section, Stacy Waibel (Rudy Gets a Transplant) was all set up. I had a lot of support. And even though I didn’t sell books, I met a lot of talented writers and interesting readers. I networked and even chatted with William Kent Kruger (if you haven’t heard of him, you probably don’t read mysteries). It was a long, but fun day. To top the day off, I checked my email before going to bed and got a note that my short story “An Almost One Star Hotel” has been accepted in “The Ghostly Dreamspell Anthology.” I’ll keep you all updated as to when it will be available.

My next reading will be at Common Good Books on April 7th. Until then I think it’s time to get back on my butt, give marketing a bit of a rest, and return to writing.

In downtown White Bear Lake, on the corner of 4th Street and Washington Avenue, sits a quaint little book shop called Lake Country Book Sellers.  The entire downtown area has a small town feel, and walking into Lake Country Books I felt instantly at ease.  It’s area is small but nicely laid out with as many books as one could fit in while still making it comfortable to move through the aisles. There  were some best sellers, but mostly they were books you would only find at an independent bookstore, or would have to special order at a B&N or Borders.  Even though it’s a small store, I could easily spend hours browsing. (And it feels like a real bookstore!)  The owner, Susan Fruncillo, made me feel welcome, and being that this was my first ever signing and reading, I felt no pressure.  In fact, she left it up to me on whether I would do any reading.  We decided to play it by ear.  I was under no delusions.  I knew a few, but not many friends were going to make the drive from Minneapolis.  And even though there were ads in the newspaper, I knew that being an unknown would not draw in many (if any) strangers. 

Go  back one day: Nervous and edgy, it also felt like I was coming down with a cold. I had practiced reading (folks in my writers’ group say that I read way too fast) and tried to put more emotion into my words.  Friday night I thought I might lose my voice.  When I woke up Saturday morning my nose was stuffed and I could barely swallow.  Still, there was no way I was going to miss this event.  Fortunately, my wife is much better organized than I.  So while I’m fumbling with my jacket and looking for my glasses, she made sure I didn’t forget my books, poster, favorite pen, etc.

While driving the twenty-five miles an amazing thing happened.  My nerves settled, my nose cleared and my throat opened up.  I never figured myself for one of those  psychosomatic,  hypochondriac  types, but there ya go.  (My wife says it’s allergies – I’d like to believe she’s right.)

Well, my friends who said they were coming, did, and a few more surprised me by showing up – thank you all!  I did end up doing a reading and was told that I sounded good (my friends wouldn’t lie, would they?)  While I was reading, a few strangers walked in and quietly sat down to listen.  They even applauded at the end.  All-in-all, I had a blast.  

Next stop – I’m doing a reading at Dream Haven books on March 20th.  I’m no longer dreading the experience.  In fact, who woulda ever thunk, I’m actually looking forward to it.