Last night I had the privilege of reading and signing copies of my novel BLISS at the venerable Collected Works Bookstore here in Santa Fe. (It is the premiere indie bookstore in town, woo hoo!) The owner Dorothy made me most welcome, and the very talented Candace Walsh, who wrote the memoir Licking the Spoon, was kind enough to introduce me.

Allowing the BLISS to wash over me, all windswept-like.

I wore my favorite Anthropologie dress, and a pair of heels that hurt the hell out of my feet, but even so armored, I was quite nervous! My mouth was dry as dust, and my hands were trembling.  Until I stepped on the little stage, coughed into the mic, and started to read…

Me at the podium (ie, giant spatula-like thing)

It took me a few sentences, but pretty soon I was really enjoying myself!  I even started doing some of my characters’ voices and gestures, drawing out lines for suspense…

Getting into the swing of things

And I felt rather saucy! I mention this only because I’m the last person who enjoys having a spotlight on her. My husband is an actor, and I’ve always admired his ability to lay it all out there on stage, while feeling “oh, I could never do that myself!” I’m a classic, garden variety introvert, and I like to be appreciated for my wit on the page, rather than the stage. But I do have to confess, it was a blast hearing people’s reactions to my words; getting the meaning across just the way I wanted it to be received, and getting instant feedback in the form of laughter and smiles.

Rapt audience?

And after I knocked ’em dead with chapter 4 (ok, mildly amused them), Candace did a little interview with me and I totally didn’t make a massive ass of myself.

Q&A with Candace after the reading

I wouldn’t say this public speaking stuff is my forte, but I will say that it was a surprisingly fun time, and I’m looking forward to more!

Me hamming it up with BLISS