I’ve had  four very enjoyable appearances in connection with my novel the past five days — two of them being broadcast interviews and the other two, book-signings.

Having been a broadcast journalist for the first fourteen years of my post-college life, I still find it strange to be on “the other side” of the microphone.  But Bob Lovell of 1070 The Fan (Indianapolis) and Chris Proffitt of WRTV, Indianapolis put me at ease. People who know that I’ve lived my life on the public stage, so to speak, would be surprised at the admission I still get a speck nervous before interviews, speeches, and other appearances.

I greatly respect reporters/interviewers who have done their homework prior to an interview.  None of this “So, what’s your book about?” as an opening question from Chris and Bob. Their questions were good and drew out of me what inspired me to write the novel, what I’d learned from the experience, and what I hoped to do next.  Another novel? We’ll see. I’ve given each of them an autographed baseball.

All authors love to sell their novels, of course, but I get just as much pleasure from meeting people and talking with them at my book-signing appearances. I was quite pleased with the turnouts at Barnes & Nobles @IUPUI and the Glendale branch of The Indianapolis Public Library — approximately seventy at the latter despite pouring rain.

As with any such appearance, some people come to purchase, some to inquire, and some just to talk, and I appreciate them all. Saturday, one father and his two cute, young daughters came to the signing table. I whispered to him that if my book were a movie, I’d rate it PG13. But I signed small promotional cards for each of the girls and urged them to work hard in school. By the way, my 13-year-old granddaughter, Lydia, thinks the book is appropriate for anyone 13 and above (some obscenities and some sexual references). She’s a voracious reader.

This week I’ll be at Barnes & Noble in Evansville and in my hometown of Lynnville, at book-signings.   I especially want to call your attention to the Novel Tea that is on my list of appearances. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association graciously invited me to talk about why I wrote the novel and some of the challenges involved. The appearance is a fund-raiser on April 24 and I hope you will support it.