Thank you, Safe and Sound of Barhamsville VA

"Sunset of Lost Memories" ©Mary Montague Sikes

On Friday night, we were traveling along a narrow road in New Kent County en route to Williamsburg for a book signing event when our right front tire blew out. It was dark and we are uncertain of the cause--a metal object in the road or the rough tar edge with a drop-off. Whatever it was, having a tire explode from a recently-purchased new set caught us totally by surprise.

There was no place to pull off, so we couldn't stop where the explosion occurred. A short distance down the road, although it was after 5:30 p.m., we were fortunate to discover lights on at Safe and Sound in Barhamsville and four kind men who stopped what they were doing and came out to help us. They found the little temporary tire secured beneath the vehicle and discovered the way to reach it which included dismantling a floor panel. Had we been on our own in the dark without the professional equipment these men used, I don't believe we could have found and changed the tire.

Two of the men even took the time to find the telephone number for me for the William and Mary Barnes and Noble store, so I could call and explain I would be late for the 6 p.m. signing of the Chesapeake Bay Writers Club anthology, Harboring Secrets. Eventually, after learning the Goodyear Tire business near New Town was open until 7 p.m., we limped there only to discover the bent tire rim could not be repaired because it was made of aluminum instead of stainless steel. In purchasing a new car, who would think to ask about the material used in the tire rims? Not I.

Eventually, we got to the book signing at a little after 7 p.m.. Since I was working a shift with Pamela Kinney, author of the Haunted Virginia books, my tardiness was covered. I got to sign one book that Pamela purchased, and I discovered that the Barnes and Noble store had about 10 copies each of five of my titles on display in the "Local Authors" section of the store.

We now have a car in our garage with a temporary tire awaiting the order of a new rim and a new tire to replace the destroyed one. More importantly, we have special memories of the Christmas Miracle for which we are extremely grateful to the people at Safe and Sound. Thank you!

Spending the Day at the Williamsburg Book Festival

Courtesy of Williamsburg Book Festival Facebook Photos

 The First Annual Williamsburg Book Festival was months in the planning. Many people were involved, including those who paid for the opportunity to programs in a side room throughout the day. Those free-to-the-public talks proved quite popular. At the end of each session, attendees flowed out, and many moved around the Community Building, talking with authors and buying books. The Chesapeake Bay Writers Club had a table where they introduced the anthology, Harboring Secrets. My memoir short story and a poem are part of the book. The William and Mary Barnes and Noble Bookstore handled sales of all the books.

Courtesy of Williamsburg Book Festival Facebook Photos

Views from a Book Signing in Williamsburg VA

People View Art Work Displayed Outside B and N Last Sept.

A book signing event at the William and Mary Barnes and Noble in Williamsburg VA on Saturday presented many learning experiences for this author. Because of the prime location in the heart of the historic colonial area, many people who enter the store are wearing Colonial Williamsburg neck lanyards.

Many of the people who spoke with me were from other states and visiting for three or four days. The first several people I talked with are no longer buying paperback books. One said she had traveled for many years in her job. Now that she has a Kindle, she loads it up with books. Another woman says she likes her Kindle because of the light that enables her to read at night. I gave these readers my card and noted that all of my books are available for Kindle and that most are also obtainable as Nook Books.

One lady visiting from Pennsylvania explained that she has a book coming out in several weeks. She's excited and had lots of questions about marketing.

A local author pulled out a copy of his self-published math book. He wanted my opinion of the cover. He also had questions about marketing. I asked him about social networking on Facebook and Twitter. He was unfamiliar with that route but expressed hope the company that published his book would help him with the marketing process.

When a man wearing an Indiana Jones hat and vest entered the store, I spoke to him and encouraged him to purchase my Indiana Jones-style adventure story, Jungle Jeopardy. I was delighted when he came back and got a copy.

During the four hours of my signing, I spoke with people from all over the country. Some had recently moved to Williamsburg. Others were weekend tourists.

My free gift of a signed original art card with each book purchase attracted some buyers. I didn't wear my Indiana Jones outfit for this signing, but I might wear it next time.