Mr. Big Stuff

One week ago, I posted a sober reflection on my first signing event for Writers of the Future, Vol 42. It was a reminder, both to myself and all those aspiring writers out there, that success in writing doesn’t happen overnight. And it doesn’t happen right after you get your first publishing credit. Or second, or third.

Well, on Saturday I had my second book signing. After the signing at Joy and Matt’s landed with a thud, I’d spent the morning tamping my expectations for Tome Books and Novelteas. I kept listening to the song Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight.

“Mr. Big Stuff,

Who do you think you are?”

And that was my basic attitude on Saturday morning: who do you think you are? Stephen King? Andy Weir? Douglas Adams? I actually dug through the dresser drawer where I’ve stashed all the “to be sorted” items from Los Angeles until I found the red clown nose I’d had in my pocket during the awards show. I seriously considered bringing it. To again remind myself that I’ve still got miles to go. I might think I’m a big deal. But I’m still just the clown.

I arrived at Tome to find Nathan already setting up and chatting with the owner, Jeremy, which was great to see. My illustrator, Nathan, is an excellent communicator, and never passes up the chance to schmooze, which I appreciate. I unpacked my trophy, my shelf-talker, started setting out my books. Not a soul was there. Except Jeremy, who, to be fair, has one of those personalities that really fills up a room in the best way.

For the first few minutes, to quote Yogi Berra it was, “Déjà vu all over again.” Nathan and I began an intense conversation about AI (every writer and artist’s favorite and least favorite topic these days). The first two customers who walked in didn’t pay us any mind. Soon a couple of my beta readers showed up, looking to meet Nathan and get his autograph (I had already signed their copies of the anthology).

Then I heard someone tell Jeremy they were there to see us.

That person turned out to be author N.V. Haskell: a third place winner from Writers of the Future, Vol. 38. I’d known there were a few other Writers of the Future hopefuls around here, but had no idea there had been another winner. She’s from across the river in Northern Kentucky, but when she learned that the grand-prize winner and his illustrator were both local, she drove up to meet us. Her copy of Vol. 42 was our first sale of the day.

As foot traffic picked up, people began flocking to our table. At several points we actually had a line. We almost sold out. Through it all, we talked to readers, actual readers, about our work. I smiled and shook hands. Nathan passed out business cards. I directed new readers to my Substack, Martians and Lasers. Gillian, the reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer who interviewed me after I got back from Hollywood, showed up for a copy of the anthology.

Look, if you follow my blog, you’ve seen a lot of pictures of me over the past month and a half looking like a big deal. Receiving awards on a stage in Hollywood, signing books in a tuxedo. And that was a big deal, don’t get me wrong. But at those events, I was surrounded by people who’d come there to see me. I was the point; me and my fellow winners.

Saturday marked the first time I had casual readers walking up and asking about my book, and walking away with a signed copy. On awards night in Hollywood, I felt like a star. At Tome Books and Novelteas on Saturday, I felt like an author.

We ended up staying late. The foot traffic had largely died down, but Gillian had lingered and Nathan and I were talking to her. Just as I was getting ready to call it, realizing we were already thirty minutes past our scheduled stop time, Woody walked in.

I’d met Woody at Tome last Thursday, when Jeremy had me come in to speak with his writer’s group. He was what you normally expect from an aspiring spec-fic writer: quiet, introverted. But he sat right up front, and asked some great questions. After that workshop, I’d figured if only one of the Tome writers showed up at the signing, it would be him.

I haven’t read anything he’s written yet, but I know I will. Because I can see it in him. You’ve gotta watch out for the quiet ones. They’re quiet because they consider their words carefully. They’re strategic, and they’re driven. I urged Woody to start submitting short fiction, particularly to the Writers of the Future contest. He left with a signed copy of Writers of the Future, Vol 42. I hope he finds inspiration within its pages.

As an aspiring writer (or debut author), you don’t have the luxury of standing still. You can’t slow down, not even for a second, or the waves of the literary market will crest over your head. But I always tell everyone how important it is to take just a moment and appreciate every victory, however minor. Frankly, I don’t take that advice often enough myself. This was a victory, however minor. My first taste of what it really feels like to be a debut author. To connect with readers.

And this is the kind of feeling that’ll keep me going for a while. – MK

Writers of the Future, Vol. 42 is now available, through Amazon and wherever fine literature is sold. I am currently hoping to set up more signing events, so if you live in the Cincinnati area, keep your eyes peeled. I’m not done.