A Hometown Blessing!

There was probably no one more excited and happy when Courtney's book sold than her nana (okay, maybe except for Court's mother). We accused my mother of running up and down the beach telling anyone who would listen that HER GRANDDAUGHTER is an author!

It's exactly what we all felt like doing!

So it was only natural that Nana offered to host a book signing in Mt. Pleasant at The Grille, a local eatery located on the square. A wonderful book store, The Old Curiosity Book Shop in nearby Columbia, agreed to sponsor the sale.

The day before the signing, Courtney made an author visit to Mt. Pleasant High School. Originally, she was invited to speak to the school's book club, but the visit was moved from the library to the auditorium and expanded to include any of the student body who wanted to come. Between two and three hundred students came to hear Courtney encourage them to dream and to work hard - "Channeling their Brave" - to make their dreams come true. It was a lively event! Though I didn't attend, I enjoy an unexpected connection with the teacher who sponsors the book club. Her mother graduated from high school with me. Not from the present Mt. Pleasant High School, but the older Hay Long High School that closed about 1980.

A book signing is an uncertain event. There can be anywhere from "ten to ... a lot" of people to attend. An author might sell three or four books or many, many more! A lot of Mom's friends were excited to come, so we hoped for good weather and no last minute conflicts.  I hoped my old friends would come, too. The bonus would be a chance to visit with people I hadn't seen in a long time. Courtney has no personal ties in the area other than through her mother and grandmother. So in the end, we just hoped and kept our fingers crossed.

Our expectations succeeded beyond the wildest dreams! At four-thirty on the dot friends began to come, and there was a steady stream for two hours - and a loud buzz that filled the back room at The Grille with laughter and excitement. A line formed and the books flew off the table. The book store owner, the grandmother, the parents, and the author herself inhaled one big sigh of relief! And enjoyed!

Mt. Pleasant supported it's "own" and we are so thankful!

 DREAM BIG!

 Three generations of "Book Love."

Hay Long High friends!

Friends who came from "afar" to chat and have a book signed.

 Court's "Nana," who hosted the signing at The Grille.

 James and Heather provided copies of Faking Normal from The Old Curiosity Book Shop.

The signing line was long!