My writer's group has embarked on various ways to promote the books we've published. This event was organized by Gloria with the library in her town of Exeter.

I arrived early to help set up the room. The expectation was that a Book Group that met in the library would be the audience. At the appropriate time we had two people as guests. The husband of a woman in the Book Group said his wife would be late. There was a fund raiser in town she must attend, but will be here soon.

It was decided I would go first. I introduced myself. I shared the two books in front of me quickly, then read a five minute excerpt from The Donkey Song. Gloria went next.

Gloria told the story of the five books in front of her. Close to the end of her presentation five women showed up, so Gloria stopped and waited until they found seats. She then proceeded to begin again from the beginning to catch the late comers up. It occurred to me, for a second. that going first put me at a real disadvantage.

Then Irene told the stories of her four books in front of her, plus the children's books that she didn't have with her but are available on Amazon. She added that all of our books are on Amazon. 

Judith took over and  presented her books. But just before she started, one of the late ladies interrupted and asked me to tell her my name. So I introduced myself and then did a little presentation, similar to what Gloria and Irene did, for my memoir, But What About the Children. Then I picked up The Donkey Song, and the same lady stopped me mid-sentence.

"I don't want to have the people who were on time have all of this repeated."  

Judith went on with her presentation.

I admit, my feelings were hurt. Gloria had gone through her presentation twice, fully. No one in the room stepped up to help me, and now the disadvantage to me was quite clear. It was shocking. So I sat there listening to Judith, who did the same thing Irene and Gloria did, tell the stories of each book. I thought, I shouldn't have read, just told the story like the others did.

I was not going to sell my books, I thought, because I obviously did not handle this small crowd of people well. Was it because I described the diversity of my family? I didn't think so. There was an Asian woman who was the one woman on time. And she was in their Book Group.

Questions were asked, but only of the others, not me. My humiliation was complete.

The evening was at an end. The guests moved up to the table and were buying from each of the others. And there I sat, smiling, and watched.

The woman who stopped me mid-sentence came to me. "I am sorry. I was rude. I get way too controlling. I was rude. I am so sorry." I responded, "Well, your lucky. I am one who likes very direct people. So I accept your apology," smiling from ear-to-ear, but seething inside. She looked down at my books and asked the price of The Donkey Song. "$5.00."  She handed me a five dollar bill. I signed it to Patty, her name. 

A minute or so later, another of the late ladies stood in front of me. She looked at The Donkey Song and asked the price. $5.00. She handed me the bill, and yes, she wanted it signed, too. Geraldine was her name. I almost told her my new great-granddaughter's middle name was Geraldine, but I didn't say a word. I signed her book, handed it to her and she left. My emotions were rocky and I just didn't feel free to speak. 

I sold two books, which was better than I had thought earlier. So be happy, I said to myself. And I was.