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Celebrate Lit Authors and Associates

I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more excited I am to see God’s hand in every life experience, whether good or not so good. The unexpected can either be a source of anxiety and fear, or it can be an opportunity to identify His blessings at every turn. Take this last weekend for example. I was scheduled to attend a book signing at the Christian Book & Gift Shop in Greeneville, Tennessee. The opportunity came by way of an email from my publisher a few months ago. She, along with an author-friend of hers, had this signing scheduled, and I was invited to come alongside. Greeneville is about a four-hour drive east of where I live, and it sits just on the border of North Carolina. And no, I didn’t spell it incorrectly. Greeneville was named in honor of Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, and is the only Greeneville spelled as such in the United States.

Although I didn’t ask at the time, I wondered how these Southern California residents chose to do a book signing so far from their home. It was a wonderful opportunity for Chris and me to sneak in a mini vacay, since we’d both been wanting to see the Biltmore in North Carolina. What I came to learn is that there would be other Celebrate Lit Publishing authors also attending—one from Tennessee. I was the outlier. The others had been part of Celebrate Lit’s Independence Island Series, which you really should check out. Each book in the series is written by a different author. Quite an undertaking.

My amazing publisher, Sandra Barela

I will admit, as time for the signing came close, my enthusiasm waned. I often battle the insecurity of being an introvert. I told a friend recently that whenever I’m put into a situation where I need to connect with more than one person, I feel like my sixth-grade self entering another new school mid-year. Awkward, unsure, inadequate. What I want to be is confident, outgoing, and engaging. I gave the situation up to the Lord in prayer and went full speed ahead, leaving Him to handle the details.

And He certainly did!

Editor and Virtual Assistant, Denise Barela

The Christian bookstore where the signing took place has been a staple in the community for over fifty years. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much, and we even wondered as we drove past the city limits if we had the right address. But just as they say to never judge a book by its cover (which I’m apt to do), never judge a store by its outward appearance. It is a true gem owned and operated by a warm-hearted woman named Sonja. Her staff was efficient and accommodating, and they made us feel so very welcome. But that was just the beginning.

I discovered this particular store was chosen because one of the authors (Chautona Havig) has a good friend (and audio book narrator) who lives in Greeneville and is a close, personal friend of Sonja’s. Not only was it a joy to get to know these other authors, but I was also able to spend time with my publisher Sandy (a beautiful, godly woman) and her daughter, Denise, who happens to be my virtual assistant (and a joy to work with). It was like old home week. Yes, it was a book signing, but more than that, it was an afternoon of meeting and connecting with new people, some of whom I believe will be in my life for a long time to come.

I do not do book signings because I want to sell books. It’s the most inefficient way, to be perfectly honest. I do book signings because I want to meet new people, as uncomfortable as I am with the prospect at times. As an added bonus, my sweet cousin, who lives about forty miles from Greeneville, made a surprise visit to the signing along with her adorable daughters. New friends, old friends, and family all in one unexpected afternoon in the sleepy little town of Greeneville. Who would of thought?

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