To sign or not to sign

by Carola Dunn

Seattle,
         Portland,
                   South Pasadena,
                                   Thousand Oaks,
                                                  Huntington Beach,
                                                                   San Diego

Seattle Mystery Bookshop, Mysteries to Die For, Mysterious Galaxy, Mystery Ink, Book'Em Mysteries--independent mystery bookstores and I love them all. But after getting home from driving up and down I-5, I start wondering whether it was worth the time, money and energy to sell a few books.

Mysterious Galaxy

Mystery Ink

Mystery Ink

There are pluses, though. For a start, my publisher can claim--in the catalog and other publicity materials--that I'm doing a West Coast tour. Looks good. I get to know booksellers and vice versa, so they feel a personal connection that may lead them to recommend my books.

And last but not least, I love meeting my readers. I love telling them about the books, listening to their comments, trying to answer their questions. I seem to have a particularly intelligent lot of readers, and we usually end up with a lively discussion.

It's fun. So I'll probably do it again when the next book comes out!