Patricia Stoltey

Author

Book Signing at Old Firehouse Books

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Don’t Cricket McRae and I look as though we’re having fun? Thanks to the great staff at Old Firehouse Books in Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado, that’s exactly what we did yesterday from noon to three. We talked to dozens of readers, passed out bookmarks and shared our tray of sweet treats from Fiona’s Deli and Cricket’s delicious homemade chocolate molasses oatmeal cookies, sold a few books, signed more to leave on the shelves, and had a great time.

I have a side story to tell. In various places around Fort Collins there are rearing horse statues, with another one coming soon to a corner near our excellent Senior Center. I’d been looking for the horses that are on public view, so imagine my surprise when I walked right into one yesterday.

With the signing scheduled for noon, I had packed up my signing supplies and the tray of goodies and headed for Old Firehouse Books. After toting my things inside the store, I moved my car to one of the Old Town parking garages and walked the two and a half blocks back, taking a short cut through Old Town Plaza.

There I happened across one of the rearing horse statues I’ve been looking for. Being one who is easily distracted, I stopped, pulled out my camera, and took a few pictures.

This one is a lot more attractive and a lot less intimidating than the bright blue devil horse that guards the Denver International Airport grounds. That scary creature has bright red eyes and probably gives kids nightmares.

I took a few photos and hurried on to Old Firehouse Books.

One of the toughest things about book signings in bookstores is that most writers are also heavy readers. The desire to browse and buy can be overpowering. The bad news for Cricket was that our table faced the cookbook shelves, and she loves cookbooks.

The good news for me was that thrillers and mysteries were toward the back of the store. Out of sight, out of mind. I did wander a bit, however, and wouldn’t you know it, I found a book about Twitter. I bought it to donate to the Northern Colorado Writers Library (as soon as I finish reading it, of course).

For you Colorado authors (and out-of-state authors visiting Northern Colorado), remember Old Firehouse Books when you set up your signing schedule. You’ll love ’em.

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Comments

  2. Susan — the signing was excellent(but note that I consider any signing with a purchase excellent — all other signings are good because I always find interesting people to talk to). I sold four books total. Two new readers were the mother and daughter who chatted with us and left the store, and then returned in minutes to buy each other a gift — one book from Cricket and one book from me. They were fun.

    Welcome saschup from Fort Collins. I’ll be at the Senior Center Holiday Market the two days after Thanksgiving and Reader’s Cove on December 12th. I hope you’ll stop by and introduce yourself.

  3. You might like the giant painted boots up in Cheyenne also. Spend an hour or so and go through the Depot Museum downtown and get your picture taken next to a boot! Maybe not as cool as our Fort Collins’ horses, but close! Congrats on a successful signing.

  4. We had dinosaurs here in town, of course. Go figure… Some are still around, even.

    How’d the signing go? I notice you don’t mention the cool new readers you met… Or is that your next post???

  5. Thanks to everyone for stopping by today. I wasn’t sure my weekend posts would bring any visitors at all since I haven’t made Saturday and Sunday posting a habit.

    Terry — I’ll definitely be dropping by (which I do often although I don’t always leave a comment).

    Elizabeth — I keep imagining my husband saying, “Put your hands over your head and step away from the books, Pat.” Doesn’t work, though.

  6. Sounds like a great bookstore. Like you, I am likely to whip out my wallet when in a bookstore. Can’t resist. Sounds like you were strong though. Hope you sold some books and found some new readers.

  7. Just for the record: my blog tomorrow will recap my signing experience, and on Tuesday, my guest, Elizabeth Spann Craig will be talking about Twitter. I hope you’ll drop by.

  12. Good morning, ladies. I think these painted creature ideas are great. They always make me smile. I never saw the lizard sculptures in Florida, but I have seen whimsically painted cows somewhere. Fun stuff.

    Sounds like your fund-raising signing was a huge event, Terry. Glad it went well.

  13. We had lizard sculptures in Florida. It was always a treat to come across one and see what the artist did with the basic premise.

    Glad you had a successful signing. Mine went well too, and I hope we raised a significant sum for the Adult Literacy League. With over a dozen authors participating, there was something in every sub-genre.

  14. The town where my hubby grew up, Plainview, Texas, had painted cows all over the town. It was a very big deal. The horse is amazing. And the book event sounds like it was fun. Congratulations.
    karen