Page By Page Courtney C. Stevens "Faking Normal"

Another book event, another signing in TN!

On March 27th, 2014, Courtney was invited to speak at the Maury County (Columbia, TN) Public Library. There was a small crowd - certainly not the huge one that came to The Grille in Mt. Pleasant (also in Maury County) - but a nice number for a second event located very close to The Grille. It was an opportunity for Courtney to discuss Faking Normal and to answer questions about the purpose of the book and what inspired her. There were teens and there were "middlers" and there were seniors there, a nice following, which I found interesting. Faking Normal is a YA book, written to target teens who are 14 and up. But it has found a substantial adult market. The questions were insightful and interesting. Courtney's talk about getting past pain and finding hope on the other side resonated with a senior member of the audience. He said he needed to hear her message and that he knew he was supposed to be there! It is so amazing and special when an author's work and words are affirmed, we we're allowed to glimpse the effect of our purpose.

This library is the main county library, not the smaller branch in Mt. Pleasant that I loved from childhood, but it is rich in history and has a wonderful following. Including a resident "ghost" who claims the Director's desk as her own! Though the "modern" building was built in the early 60's, those in the know wisely preserved the original neon sign!

It is always great to run into (unexpectedly) old friends.

Our family had before and after "eats" at Puckett's on the square in Columbia. It is conveniently located by The Old Curiosity Book Store, who sponsored book sales at the nearby library.  Check out the bookstore, a wonderful "bookish" atmosphere in which to browse and buy your favorite books! Go "local" when you can!

Prior to the panel at the MCPL, Courtney was the guest on the library's cable show, Page By Page. The show, whose purpose is to promote literacy, airs on a local cable channel several times a week (check the Maury County Public Library's Facebook page) and is posted on YouTube, as below. Enjoy!