A Tale of Two Amazing Book Signings

What happens when an ambivert goes to two very different book signings in a month? She has two very different, but very good, experiences, and comes home with lots of things to reflect on. 

Truth be told, I’m writing this from my hotel room after the second event. Because I’ve learned to build in an extra day (or two) after the event before heading home. More on that in a sec, but first, the things I came home with.

Book Bonanza sent me home with some truly amazing memories, a couple of new friends, two new books, and the realization that I really am a small event type of human. Book Bonanza was huge. I think I read somewhere 2,500 people. It was at the Gaylord Resort in Grapevine, Texas. It spanned over three full days. It was very overwhelming for me, to be honest. I took part in the Thursday meet-n-greet with two of my favorite narrators (Samantha Brentmoor & Rose Dioro), assisted one of my favorite authors (Brittney Sahin) for the Friday and Saturday signings, attended two Saturday morning panels, and spent the rest of the time turtling in my hotel room. What I missed- Friday morning panels (2), Friday night party, Saturday morning panel (1), Saturday night party, Saturday night screening of It Ends With Us. 

Did you notice the pattern? I definitely did. I also ate my meals in my room. Intentionally. It was just such a huge event in such a huge space that my introvert brain needed massive amounts of recovery time. And what I realized was I had zero FOMO for the parts of the event I didn’t attend. And that is HUGE for me. 

The event was exceptionally well organized and run. I never felt like I was missing something because I didn’t know about it. But I also recognize that may be because I was seeing several things through the eyes of an author assistant rather than a reader. I had early access to the signing space. Lunch was provided within that space. And while the atmosphere carried a high energy vibration of excitement, it was pretty calm and chill back there. Had I been in line with so many excited readers, I’m not sure the experience would have been the same. But, I was exactly where I needed to be for that event.

This weekend I attended Knockout Book Bash. It was held at the Muhammed Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, and like BB, it was also exceptionally well run. This was one of my favorite signings when I went in 2022 and I was incredibly excited to be heading back this year.

I knew going in to this event it was going to be wall-to-wall friends and constant motion and interaction. This event was strictly for my extrovert side. The venue was perfectly sized for the mid-size signing (50 authors and around 500 readers?), I knew at least a dozen of the authors before I even got there, knew at least 20 readers who would be there. And I was traveling with one of my besties (Julie). So my comfort level was set, and I was positively vibrating with excitement. And was ready to welcome the exhaustion.

Unlike last time Julie and I went, this time we stayed at the Galt House Hotel, which is also huge, but not in the same way as the Gaylord. Last time it was just us at the Marriott. This time we stayed where nearly everyone else from the event stayed. And there were sooo many familiar faces at the hotel. We couldn’t walk through the lobby or the bar without recognizing someone.

I did all the things. And I do mean all the things. Friday dinner was with a group of 10 friends to celebrate the 50th birthday of one of my absolutely favorite people (Charissa G), then Julie and I went to meet with several authors and friends at the Grady hotel bar. Saturday was 6 hours of signing time, including an hour for lunch with the authors. I sat on the floor next to Janice W’s table and chatted while we all ate. Since I’d made the rounds to most authors before lunch, I took my time during the second part of the signing, hanging out with other friends and taking some downtime as well.

But I also met so many new people. I wasn’t so much wallflower as busy bee at this one. My comfort level was already super high, so mingling and fangirling came a lot easier. Dinner Saturday was quick and easy with a small group, but was followed by a sunset riverboat cruise, organized and sponsored by several authors. And it was perfect! And I wasn’t missing it. No FOMO this trip either, because I did absolutely all the things.

And last night, after all that, I was asleep before midnight and slept a solid seven hours. I cannot tell you the last time that happened!

But I can tell you why.  For one—it was freaking hot in Louisville. And we did a shit-ton of walking. Outside. In the ungodly heat and humidity. My step count was so out of control my FitBit must have thought someone stole my watch. For two—the days were long, but so packed full of fun stuff I didn’t notice how much I was doing until it was over. I mean, my feet are sore, my left knee and hip are a mess, so physically I am really feeling it, but mentally, that time flew by. I was constantly doing something and spending time with so many friends, I didn’t want to miss a minute with them. Because who knows when we’ll all be together again?

This morning, before leaving Louisville, 48 of us went to Le Moo for their drag brunch. Which was freaking incredible!

But I’m not gonna lie about this either—my emotional battery took a hit. I know I was grouchy with a couple people (sorry y’all), but when it all caught up to me, it caught up fast.

And now, I’m sitting in a hotel room outside Cincinnati, winding down and getting ready to fly home tomorrow. It’s just me and Julie. And other than the clacking of the keys on our laptops, it’s sooo quiet. And I can tell by that alone just how busy and loud and chaotic my brain was this weekend.

Here’s where that extra down day comes in. Getting on a plane to go home the day after either of the events was panic-inducing, and I hadn’t even gotten there yet. I knew I would need time to decompress, gather myself and all the things I needed to take home with me. Rest. Pack. Read. And write. I’m learning that attending events is a form of self-care for me, but so is providing time to recover before I jump back into the fray of navigating multiple airports and jumping back into home life and work life. 

So what did I really bring home from each of these events? Joy. Room to breathe. And the understanding that recovery begins before I even begin the journey home. And honestly, that extra recovery time has made a huge difference for me. It’s helped me look at the events and internalize the joy they each brought, the purpose they served in my life, with a clear head not clouded by travel chaos and exhaustion.

And for those of you wondering where I’m headed next? Nowhere until October. Then I’ll be setting off for LoveNVegas. And yes, I have built in extra time before and after the event, complete with a road trip to see a really big hole in the ground.