Monday, December 22, 2008

An INCREDIBLE book launch!

On Saturday, I had the MOST INCREDIBLE EVER book launch at The Yellow Book Road.

At home, before the launch, I was pretty much freaking out and worrying and giving my family fits. What if no one shows up? What if I forget how to spell my name? Why did I ever agree to do a presentation?

Anyway, my family totally put up with my neurotic behavior. Even my poor in-laws who came here from Oklahoma to enjoy a peaceful (?Say what? In my house where we don't even know the meaning of the word peaceful??) Christmas with the grandkids. So, to keep me quiet and out of a straitjacket, they all covered Hershey miniature chocolates with little sleeves of the book cover, stuffed disposable coffee cups with candy, said chocolates, cute I So Don't Do Mysteries pencils, notebooks, rhino tattoos and I So Don't Do Mysteries tattoos.

Child #4 and her streaky blue hair

Child #4 and I escaped to see Jamie the Wonderful Hairdresser who pinned teal streaks (yes, to match the cover!) in our hair. We picked up the cupcake cake on the way home. By this point, I was hyped beyond belief and talking three million miles a minute. I may have frightened the cake lady.

THE cupcake cake!

Then, it was off to The Yellow Book Road where my very amazing friends Eileen B-R, Eileen C and Vicki S set up the food table with cheese and crackers (Eileen B-R created extraordinary cheese trays), raw veggies and dip, m&ms, Chex Mix, water bottles, the cake and wine.

Mary and Kristin and Anne of The Yellow Book Road were remarkably calm and professional and did not even come close to slapping me around even though they probably wanted to see if that would snap me out of my hyperness.

DH set up the screen, projector and computer for the powerpoint while I tried, in vain, to convince The Yellow Book Road personnel that there was no real need for me to do the powerpoint. They good-naturedly ignored me and rolled book cases out of the way to make room for a signing table. And then they set up the raffle table.

And then the guests arrived. And more arrived. And they kept on arriving.

And they bought books. And more books. And more books. Until The Yellow Book Road ran out of books. And DH brought in some of my author copies from the car for the store to sell. And those sold out. So, DH raced home and got the rest of the author copies.

The signing line went right to the door.

Here are some people waiting to have their books signed. I signed way way over 100 books!

And people hung around and chatted and ate and drank and got to know each other.

It was truly an EVENT.

Me in the middle of the powerpoint presentation. It's not the most flattering photo, but I'm giving it to you anyway!

The powerpoint went very well. Although I did cry a little. Mary and Kristin said I did an awesome job, one of the best author presentations they'd even seen. Which I'm sure is an exaggeration, but does mean I didn't fall flat on my face. So, yay.

Now I feel like Sherry is well and truly launched. Thank you to everyone who helped. Thank you to everyone who came. Thank you one and all.

before and after









Sigh. And now I can put up my feet and relax. Oh no, I can't. Because it's CHRISTMAS and I have bought a total of THREE gifts. You might remember that I have FOUR children. So....if you see a blur with teal streaks fast-forwarding through the stores at the mall, it's just me in a holiday panic.

35 comments:

  1. This is so thrilling.
    The photo of you is terrific.
    Glad all your family was there to celebrate with you - and very cool cup-cake cake.
    Marry, merry!

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  2. You sooooo ROCK!!!! You should be vry proud - can you hear me cheering form Ottawa?!?!?!?

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  3. I am SO happy for you!!! Bravo.........

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  4. Wow!!!! What an amazing book launch! Congratulations. ;)

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  5. Congratulations on the successful book launch! Keep up the good work on the blog. It is very enjoyable.

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  6. so much fun, and now i want cupcakes. don't feel bad about your christmas shopping. husband is in the same boat.

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  7. Wow! What a great day, Barrie! Congrats on your book launch and the cupcake cake looks divine. Yummmm.......

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  8. Glad to hear it was a great time. I had to order my copy as my local store didn't have it in stock. Hopefully it will arrive and be available when I get back from Florida.

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  9. Oh congrats Barrie!! What a great party. :)

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  10. I love the cupcake cake! Congrats! What a wonderful success! I shall now get out of the way so you can Christmas shop. :)

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  11. I am so glad it went well. I am just sorry that I was not there to be a part of it and sorry I am not there to help with the shopping and wrapping. I do love it all. Good luck. Love you! xo

    -YPN

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  12. Barrie!!! So exciting. I'm so glad (but not that surprised) it went well.

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  13. Big congrats!!! What a fabulous turn out.

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  14. So happy to hear of your success. Best of holidays.

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  15. Over 100 books? Wow!. I don't think I've ever had more than about 10. Congrats. Sounds like it's going very well.

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  16. I've never had a cupcake cake but I'm pretty sure I would like it. Congrats on the success!

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  17. Hi Barrie,
    I'm one-fourth of the way through your book and I am loving it!
    -Lauren

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  18. Signed 100 books?
    Sounds like a success to me. way to go.

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  19. grats barrie!

    and season's blessings to you and yours :D

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  20. The book signing went off without a hitch. The cupcake cake looks very tasty, and I bet it was. Congrats on signing and selling the 100 books. Way to go.

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  21. Congrats! I bought two copies for our library.

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  22. Looks like it was a great party Barrie. Your book deserves it! I was in my local independent bookstore yesterday and I saw a stack of "I So Don't Do Mysteries" and I thought "Yay Barrie!"

    Happy Christmas Barrie - and Happy Book Launch!

    Kerry

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  23. OMG! What a great launch! And the best picture of the bunch?

    The "After". I bet that felt REALLY good.

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  24. Goodness, Barrie, you found your way to The Emerald City where empty bookshelves = success!

    Merry Holidays!

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  25. Huge congrats on the release of your novel!!!

    I’ve just ordered a copy and can’t wait for it to arrive!

    And... Happy Christmas! :)

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  26. What a fantastic event.... I'm so glad to have witnessed all the well-deserved excitement. Loved the details with the teal streaks, the cupcake cake, the coffee cup favors. How wonderful that your family was all part of this. Wishing you continued success! And for those that don't know, the day before this signing, Barrie organized the holiday party for my 3rd grade class! Is she amazing or what?!!!

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  27. Oh, and I meant to say your talk was charming, sincere, and funny! What a great combo!

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  28. I don't know why, but the before and after photo's have me a little choked up -- call the sap patrol.

    Congratulations!

    I haven't gotten my copy yet -- will the snow ever stop? But I will, if it's not sold out by the time I get to the store :o).

    Merry Christmas.

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  29. Amazing cake and cool streaks, too! Congrats congrats congrats!

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  30. How utterly AWESOME! Sounds like it was fantastic--so sorry to have missed it! :)

    Glad you made it through BEFORE you got sick.

    Congratulations!

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  31. So so sooooooooo happy for you. Congrats!

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  32. Hi Barrie. Just catching up on blog reading and loved reading this post! Congrats on a fantastic launch event!! :D

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  33. Wow. Now THAT'S showing'em how to do it. Congratulations!

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  34. I adore the way your launch turned out, Barrie. You totally rock! How long did you keep the teal streaks in your hair?

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Comments are always welcome!