Signing Event Stories

My debut novel is now officially on shelves and I am officially a published author. Young me would struggle to believe it. Heck, even not-so-young me from fifteen years ago would find it hard to believe, too! Because here’s the thing—even though both earlier versions of me loved books and dreamed of maybe writing a book one day, neither one of them knew how to even begin.

A short visit with twelve-year-old me: books were my escape, and I was happiest when I could tuck away in some hidden corner (or stay awake looong past my bedtime, unbeknownst to my parents) to fall into the world of a book. Then, when my dad took me to a library book sale, I found an old guide book specifically about children’s publishing (I don’t remember if it was an SCBWI publication or Publishers Weekly or what—it was very long ago, but I do remember the cover being a robin’s egg blue). Between the covers were lists of agents, publishers, publishing houses, and authors and illustrators. I was captivated by all the information and wondered what else I needed to know to publish a book for kids. Alas, there wasn’t a step-by-step guide on what to do with all this information, with the key component of how to actually begin writing a book missing from the pages. Twelve-year-old me kept that book for a long time, though, and kept wondering.

One of the questions that came up at both of my signing events this week was this: How many books did you write before this one got published? The answer? Eight-ish. Nine, if you count the book that got split in two because it was over 120K words long, which I found out was too long for a middle-grade manuscript. Three of those projects were short form, meaning they were under 10K words (a picture book and two chapter book manuscripts). My third full-length middle grade book is what got me my agent. Then I wrote two more middle grade manuscripts. The Underwild: River of Spirits was the sixth project my agent took out on sub for me, and the first to be acquired.

It has been quite a journey to get here. And it all began when I stopped wondering and started writing.

Signing Event Stories

This week has been full of incredible moments. I’m still thinking about them all and will be for a very long time to come. I had two amazing in-person signing events where forever-memories were created. The first was at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing on Tuesday night, the day my book officially hit shelves. Laini Taylor moderated the event and we had a lovely discussion about storytelling, the craft of writing, and my stubborn refusal to give up. Most of the evening is a blur, but there are two unexpected moments I experienced with readers that I wanted to share with you. (A quick shout-out to everyone who showed up for these events! You being there made my launch week even more magical, and I loved seeing you all in person!)

I knew friends and family were going to be at the Powell’s event to support the release of my book, but I wasn’t sure anyone who didn’t know me would show up (this is a hard reality for many author events, with many authors sharing stories of having zero people show up for their signing). And because the event was at 7pm on a school night, I didn’t hold much hope that younger readers would show up to the bookshop to meet an unknown, debut author. But friends, there were people who had never heard of me before who attended the event.

The moments these strangers shared with me are ones I will never forget.

At the end of the event, two young teens came up to have their books signed. They said that they had looked over the upcoming events board at Powell's earlier in the month, saw my upcoming in-conversation and book signing, and decided that *this* was the one they wanted to go to. They told me it was the very first book signing they'd ever been to. We geeked out over Greek mythology, Uncle Rick, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. It was such an honor to talk with them and sign their books!

Another person in the audience was a thirty-something adult who wandered in when he heard Laini and I speaking to the audience. He said he was drawn in because of our discussion surrounding grief and how River of Spirits explores themes of grief and loss. He had his book signed and said that the conversation made him realize that he has long-held grief inside of him that he hasn't processed yet, and that hearing my story made him want to read the book so he could start his own journey toward healing. I teared up! I'm elated that readers are finding my book and finding something about it that they might need.

At my second signing event at Barnes & Noble at Clackamas Town Center, there were even more people I didn’t know who showed up for the event. Scott Kurtz and I got there early and sat in our seats at the front of the Kids’ section, where our event was going to take place. A young child in second grade named Aurora was there early, too. She had bought my book on Wednesday, then begged her grandma to take her to the signing on Saturday. They were early because Aurora did not want to miss the event. She was the sweetest! I was so happy to talk with her before the event and afterward, when I got to sign the copy she had been holding to her chest.

There was another child in the audience named Elizabeth (but goes by Lizzie), who was probably in fifth or sixth grade. She asked her parents to bring her to the signing, and during the Q&A she asked so many fantastic questions, such as “How do you come up with your characters?” (I hope she decides to write a book someday!) When I signed her book I told her a secret about book 2, at which she smiled and said “Cool!” She told me she was already on chapter 26 and couldn’t wait to finish reading my book. I asked her to tell me who her favorite characters are the next time we meet.

Anyways, I'm tearing up again. These were dream-list moments that I didn’t expect to happen so soon, and they happened within days of my book being in bookstores. I write for readers who need stories like this one, who want to escape in a story or go on an otherworldly adventure, or who might need to know they are not alone in their struggles with big feelings surrounding loss and grief. My books aren’t just for kids—they are for readers of all ages. They are for anyone who is reaching out in the darkness and hoping to find someone reaching back

For everyone who pre-ordered, purchased, or requested from your local library, you have my unending thanks! This week has been an absolute dream come true, and I am so thankful for all of your support!

Shana

p.s. Signed Copies Available

Over the week I visited three different Powell’s locations (Hawthorne, Cedar Hills, and Burnside), Barnes & Noble at Clackamas Town Center, and Annie Bloom’s Books and signed all the books they have on hand. Visit one of these locations or call for availability.

If you want a signed and personalized copy, they are available to order from Annie Bloom's Books in Portland, Oregon!

Signed books at Powell’s Books on Hawthorne