A welcome first

Have you ever gotten someone’s phone number you knew you wouldn’t dream of calling? Maybe someone you would love to call, but didn’t dare?
When I was in college in 2000, I supported myself and two of my children by working as a computer tech, providing customers with telephone support. It was fun and interesting, and gave me some free time to do my class work. But once in a while, I would get a call from someone I would have loved to have called back. For one reason or another. Of course, that wasn’t permitted, so I never did it. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to.
In view of my upcoming book signings (West Virginia Book Festival this weekend in Charleston, W.Va.; Barnes and Noble in Morgantown, W.Va., next weekend), I’ve been handing out business cards for my book. I’m not sure how productive this is, but I do know that people really seem keen on getting them. So two nights ago, I got a call from a clerk at a store where I had done some business. The card didn’t have information about the signing, so I had mentioned that to her when I gave her a card. She and some coworkers tried to find the information about the B&N event, but couldn’t—so she called me.
And I was delighted. Gave her the time, the date and the location, so hopefully, I’ll see her and her coworkers there. If not, then at least I know that it can’t hurt to tell people about something you have, that you think they might be interested in. The worst thing that can happen is, they aren’t.
But better yet, they will be. They might even call to ask you for more information!
Editor’s note: If you love to read, or simply attend lectures, I hope you’ll join me at 1 p.m. today at the WV Writers’ table inside the Charleston Civic Center. I won’t be the only writer there; several other great WV authors will be there.
Next weekend, I will lecture, read and sign books from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 29 at our local Barnes and Noble. The store has several copies of Sister of Silence available, and I would love to sign your copy. If you aren’t local and/or can’t make it that day, but you’d love to read the book, you can buy it here: Nellie Bly Books