Barbara J. Hamby

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Today I dragged my lazy self and my books to the Convention Center to sit at a Willamette Writers’ table and let my little darlings be mauled. The writer next to me complained that in two hours no one had even opened one of her books. People left handprints all over mine, but left no money behind. They just smiled and a few said, “Thanks,” and they moved on. All but one of the lookers were women.

My entertainment at these book signings is watching men glance sideways at my book title, Find Romance in Later Life, then quickly turn and walk away before anyone can see them. Heaven forbid that someone might think they need help finding romance or finding their way anywhere, for that matter.

I always meet a few fascinating people at these gatherings. Some are writers, others are readers. Along with people watching, the writer at the table next to me and I conversed to pass the time. The book she brought to sell was on gun control and gun rights. She had been asked to write it, she told me. She thought it would be interesting to learn more about the subject, so she did. However, after a long, contentious conversation with a male who didn’t open her book, she said she wished she hadn’t written it. She added that the publisher has sold a lot of copies to libraries, so she does make some money on it.

I gave promotional material to a woman who works at a bookstore on the coast, who thought my book might sell there. She will talk to the owners and maybe something will come of it. I also picked up literature from organizations that might be of interest to me. As I was leaving, I traded one of my books for one of another author’s books. Just another day away from the keyboard.