Yep, it’s almost that time! My new book (aptly titled Living With Intention—go figure) hits the shelves soon. What a rush! I’m running around doing some last minute touches to make sure that everything is in place for the big launch party this weekend and the even bigger online bestseller campaign on November 29th.
I’m feeling overwhelmingly blessed that a few minor things I overlooked actually worked out in my favor by some major miracle. Little things like forgetting to order a batch of my own books so that I can have them available at my signing tomorrow. Indeed, dear readers, I almost had a signing with no books. Nightmares this week consisted of me signing post-it-notes, random grocery receipts, and crumpled IOUs rather than the actual book itself. I mean, what if you held a signing and there was nothing to sign? Exactly my point.
It was a nail-biter. I actually interrupted a client appointment today to run out and greet the UPS delivery man with far too much enthusiasm for his taste. He seemed a bit taken aback. I think he was afraid I would kiss him. And, truth be told, I almost did, so I guess his fears were sadly justified. But I ended up stopping just short and simply patted him excessively on the right forearm, emphatically thanking him for saving the day. Not that he knew what he had saved the day from (perhaps media headlines shouting “Newbie Author Signs Cocktail Napkins In Lieu of Books”), but nonetheless I wanted him to know that he had saved it.
He left shaking his head, wondering, I’m sure, whether his salary compensates him enough for such unanticipated displays of emotion bordering on nervous breakdown. I guess that’s his issue to deal with because I’m just sitting here completely beside myself with unfettered joy looking at six glorious boxes of books. My books. They’re here—maybe just barely in time—but they’re here! And, thanks to divine intervention and a timely UPS dude, at this time tomorrow I will be delightedly signing my first books for a blissfully supportive group of family, friends, colleagues, and media representatives. Since they’re blissfully supportive, I’m sure they would have gingerly accepted signed cocktail napkins or post-it-notes, but it feels good to hand them the real thing. How cool is that?
I’m looking forward to sharing the rest of the journey with you. A journey filled with adventure into the unknown, a huge dose of good humor, and a few (I can only hope) of these last minute acts of grace when I most need them.
More later…