March Madness: Book signings

March has been a wonderful whirlwind. On March 3rd, Borderlands Books in San Francisco graciously hosted the launch event for The Song of All. The seats were full as was my heart to see so many smiling faces looking back at me as I shared how this amazing journey all started and answered questions about the book, writing, evolutionary biology, and family folktales.

 

San Diego’s Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore kept the magic going as they opened their doors to me for an author talk and signing on March 22nd. It was great to be back in my hometown, seeing old friends and meeting new ones as I answered questions about The Song of All.

The book signing in San Diego also came with the opportunity to attend WonderCon for the first time and be part of a stellar panel with Jenna Rhodes, R. A. Salvatore, and Patrick Rothfuss. I have to admit it was intimidating to be a debut author among these tremendously talented writers. My friend and artist, Ramona Szczerba, painted this gorgeous mandala stone for me to keep in my pocket as an Introvert’s Talisman. It definitely gave me the confidence to speak in front of a large audience.

Thinking back on all the fabulous opportunities this month has afforded, I am most grateful for the incredible community of friends and supporters who have encouraged me every step of the way. When I look at these pictures, I see the power and magic of human connection.

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THE SONG OF ALL Book Release and Beyond.

Not that long ago a friend and established author assured me that it would all seem real when I got the book in my hand. What I took away from the conversation was the sense that writing can feel ephemeral and abstract, for most of the process occurs in one’s head–a dialog of one. In truth, the struggle for me has not been to see the tangible products of my effort. Instead, the challenge has been to acknowledge the accomplishments.

When I first committed to finishing The Song of All, I always focused on the next hurdle, both in the craft and the profession. I had a steep learning curve in each area. It was difficult for me to stop and say, “Well done, you!” when I found myself deficient in so many ways. Plus, the nature of rejection inherent in traditional publishing reinforced in me, not a sense of failure, but rather another hurdle to surmount. Even when I reached the level of being agented, the next mountain rose, and the vista beyond appeared populated with peaks even higher and more intimidating, both for what I knew of them and for what I did not know of them.

I am standing on one of those peaks now. I am looking back and seeing all those accomplishments that I did not acknowledge along the way. I am also present in this moment where I am grateful, not only to all the people who have helped me get to this point but to those who have lovingly made me stop and celebrate. It is a beautiful moment, one which has taken a while to sink in, one which I am so honored to share with you. Writing may be an isolating endeavor–a dialog of one–but the unveiling of a book is very much the celebration of a community.

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Tina