Between the Lines: Books, Readers, and a Record-Breaking Day

There’s just something different about being in a room full of people who genuinely love books.

Today, I had the opportunity to attend Between the Lines: A Fall Literary Affair at the Renasant Convention Center in downtown Memphis. From noon until 4 p.m., the room was filled with authors, vendors, and—most importantly—READERS.

And baby, the readers showed up!

I attended as both an author and a member of the hosting book club, with my table set up and my books ready to find some new homes. I’ve done book events before, but this one gave me a new personal milestone:

I sold 19 books!

I’m pretty sure that’s the most books I’ve ever sold at a single event. And even beyond the number itself, there was something special about watching readers browse my table, ask questions about my stories, choose which books they wanted to take home, and genuinely show interest in my work.

Several people even asked about my two newest books—which, unfortunately, I didn’t have copies of with me.

Trust me. Lesson learned. 😂

But as an author, that's a GOOD problem to have. Having readers walk up to my table already knowing about books that weren't sitting in front of them reminded me that people are paying attention. They're seeing the posts. They're following the releases. They're looking for what's next.

That meant a lot to me.

And Then There Was KiKi Swinson…

 

Now, y’all know I cannot write this recap and casually skip over the fact that I got to meet THEE KiKi Swinson.

Not only did I get the chance to meet her, but we actually had a great conversation. I purchased one of her books, had her sign it, and, of course, we had to get a picture together.

Definitely one of the highlights of my day.

But apparently, meeting KiKi Swinson was not my moment alone.

Because my son, Master, was with me.

And Ms. KiKi proceeded to tell me how fine my child was.

Not once.

Not twice.

I believe we landed somewhere around THREE TIMES. 😂

Ma’am!

She even gave him several gems and words of wisdom, and I couldn't appreciate her more! Sometimes these babies need to hear it from another mother who's already been through it.

Meanwhile, I'm just trying to have my respectable author moment.

I can't take that boy anywhere.

More Than the Sales

As exciting as selling 19 books was—and trust me, I'm VERY excited about those 19 books—the best part of events like Between the Lines is the connection.

Writing can be such a solitary process. So much of this career happens behind a screen or with a manuscript in front of you. We spend hours writing, revising, editing, formatting, promoting, and wondering whether the things we're creating are actually reaching people.

Then you walk into a room like the one I walked into today.

A room full of readers.

You get to put books directly into their hands. You get to talk about your stories face-to-face. You meet other authors. You laugh. You network. You take pictures. You watch somebody pick up one of your books, flip it over, read the description, and decide, Yep. I'm taking this one home.

Those moments make all those quiet hours behind the scenes feel a little different.

Today was a reminder that the work is reaching people.

And apparently, I need to start bringing more books. 😂

Thank you to everyone who stopped by my table, purchased a book, asked about my work, or simply took a moment to talk with me.

A special shoutout to Shannon, who bought a copy of every book I had on hand!

And thank you to Sheneca, my book club, The Beauties and the Books, and everyone involved with Between the Lines: A Fall Literary Affair for creating a space where authors and readers could come together and celebrate the thing that brought all of us into that room in the first place:

Books.

Nineteen books sold.
New readers met.
A personal record broken.
A signed KiKi Swinson book added to my collection.

And one teenage son who apparently needs to stop accompanying me to literary events and stealing my shine.

All in all?

I'd say the Kweendom had a pretty good day. 👑

 

***And before anybody asks where all my pictures from the event are… apparently, I was too busy selling books. I normally leave an event with pictures of my table, pictures with other authors, pictures of everything. This time? I have exactly two pieces of photographic evidence that I was there: my event flyer and my picture with KiKi Swinson. But considering I left with 19 fewer books than I came with, I’ll take it. 😂