Maestro's book signing

Lilybiz · Sep 9, 2006

I hope I can post this here. Since it was for a novel, "The Pacific Between" by our own Raymond K. Wong, aka Maestrowork, I figure this is the place.

I went to Maestro's book signing today at Borders in Arcadia, California. He had a great turnout and sold a lot of books (and not just to his family)! He read from his book, answered questions, etc. Very cool. I was extremely proud.

Ray and I write for the same website and had only met online before today. It was great to meet a friend from AbsoluteWrite in person. We had a lot to talk about.

He's not online right now and he can't defend himself, so I'll just tell you that it was wonderful to meet one of our own and see him do well. I'm going to check the announcements right now to see if any of the rest of you are in my area!

Maryn · Sep 9, 2006

Thanks for sharing that it went well. He's one of the ones you root for--but don't tell him I said that, okay?

Maryn, playing it cool and disinterested

aadams73 · Sep 10, 2006

Way cool! Thanks so much for sharing!

TwentyFour · Sep 10, 2006

I'm so happy for him! (and a little jealous...lol...joke) Way to go!

StoryG27 · Sep 10, 2006

Thank you for posting that! I would love to see Ray at a book singing, but no one ever comes near my neck of the woods. I'm so glad it went well for him, and thanks again for sharing the news with us.

Congrats Ray!

Ken Schneider · Sep 10, 2006

Yep, that's my home boy. I live close to Cincinnati, and know where Ray hangs out and drinks coffee.

Lilybiz · Sep 10, 2006

Ken Schneider said:
Yep, that's my home boy. I live close to Cincinnati, and know where Ray hangs out and drinks coffee.

Yeah, Ken, I was very lucky to catch him in California. He only did a couple of appearances here. It was so fun to meet him after knowing him online all this time! And I'm glad you all were glad I posted this here. I wasn't sure this was the place.

Yes, Maryn, one roots for Maestro. He only asked the manager for a few chairs at the beginning, but it turned out not to be enough because so many people showed up! Yay! After he read a lot of people stopped by, asked questions, bought the book, got them signed, visited, etc. It wasn't hundreds, but it was a lot. A decent turn-out. You hear these awful stories about no one showing up for book signings, but this was a good one.

I think it was a good day for Ray.

DamaNegra · Sep 10, 2006

That's excellent!!

So... when's he going to come to Mexico to sign books?

Lilybiz · Sep 10, 2006

DamaNegra said:
That's excellent!!

So... when's he going to come to Mexico to sign books?

I don't know, but if he can't make it I'll come. I'll even bring copies of "The Pacific Between" and sign his name to them.

Beautiful Mexico!

TeddyG · Sep 10, 2006

I am really happy for Ray..Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maryn · Sep 10, 2006

Hmm, there's the seeds of an idea here...

What if AW people routinely hosted other AW people in town for book signings? Surely there are scads of people here trustworthy enough to use The Kid's empty room overnight and who might also be allowed in one's car to take to Barnes & Noble or Border's. Especially if they bought me lunch.

Authors, you arrange the signing and get here. I'll take it from there.

Maryn, thinking aloud

TrainofThought · Sep 10, 2006

Way to go Ray! I need to keep up on publishing and signings. If anyone heads to Chicago for a signing, I would definitely love to meet them. I post to nameless, faceless people. Hearing a voice and experiencing their excitement would be rewarding to an unknown like me. This is very cool. CONGRATULATIONS!

JennaGlatzer · Sep 10, 2006

Maryn, I think that's a very good idea. One of my writing organizations used to do that... the National Writers Union, I think. There was a database of people who were willing to offer up a spare room for NWU members on book tours.

Hooray for Ray! And hooray for Petrea for being so cool to get out there and give us the report, too.

I bet it meant a lot to Ray to see you there.

I think we have a serious shortage of AWers in New York. I only ever had maybe 2 or 3 AW people show up to my signings. I remember the AW subscriber who showed at my very first signing, though. He had made a decent trip to get there and it made me feel so good-- he just showed because he had heard the book signing horror stories and wanted to make sure I wouldn't be alone and dejected on my first signing. It was for Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders, a subject that was totally irrelevant to him.

ChunkyC · Sep 10, 2006

Excellent news, thanks so much for posting it! Attaboy, Ray! *so proud of him*

Lilybiz · Sep 10, 2006

I just wish I could be there to see Ray blush when he sees this thread.

I like Maryn's idea, too. What I'm doing for now is checking the Announcements forum on a regular basis to look for AW folks in my area so I can go out and support. I got such a good feeling from being there, I probably had almost as much fun as Ray did.

Another thing we could all do: before we travel, check the announcements to see who's doing what in the area we're traveling to. I get to Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, all sorts of places...AWers could lurk in all those places. You never know who's up to something, and it sure feels good to connect.

Or post an "I'm going to be in such and such town" message and set up an AW coffee date. Perhaps PM is best for that.

DamaNegra · Sep 10, 2006

aertep said:
I don't know, but if he can't make it I'll come. I'll even bring copies of "The Pacific Between" and sign his name to them.

Beautiful Mexico!

Good good good

And bring Jenna's books too. We don't get any of those around here

priceless1 · Sep 10, 2006

aertep said:
I just wish I could be there to see Ray blush when he sees this thread.

Ray blush? Surely you jest. Ray couldn't blush if he tried. I had the immense pleasure of having dinner with Ray before his signing in Rolling Hills, my old stomping grounds. It was a Thursday night in a bedroom community, and the store wasn't exactly teeming with customers. Ray was a great sport about it, and I think we'd both agree that dinner was a lot more fun. He'll hate me for saying it, but he's a true gentleman.

jdkiggins · Sep 10, 2006

Ken Schneider said:
Yep, that's my home boy. I live close to Cincinnati, and know where Ray hangs out and drinks coffee.

I thought he was my home boy!
Ken, have you been peeking through the trees in my woods again? :roll:

Congrats, Ray. Glad your signing went well.

Thanks for posting this, aertep. I met Ray awhile back and he's a great guy. Deserves the best.

Lilybiz · Sep 10, 2006

priceless1 said:
He'll hate me for saying it, but he's a true gentleman.

Maybe *that* will make him blush.

henriette · Sep 11, 2006

hoo-ray!

Soccer Mom · Sep 11, 2006

That is good to hear. We've missed him around here, but I'm glad to hear his signing was a big success.

Lilybiz · Sep 11, 2006

I just had an e-mail from Maestro. They only had six books left by the time he was finished, and I know he brought in a whole box of them, plus the store had a full end-cap at the beginning of the event. So it was a good day! :e2dance:

NeuroFizz · Sep 11, 2006

Thank you for posting this. Ray's success is well deserved. And, after all, he is family. Good on him.

CaroGirl · Sep 11, 2006

Simply marvelous. WTG Ray!!! Thanks for the update.

Tracy · Sep 11, 2006

Congratulations Ray, for whenever you read this. I'm so glad for you that it was a huge success. May there be many more of them!

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