I drove to Nye Beach this last weekend for my first official reading of in a real live bookstore. The bookstore was Things Rich and Strange, owned by my friends Michael and Mary Babinski.
I can't say it was a huge success. The weather was against us, for one thing. It was far too lovely for anyone to need shelter in a bookstore. And then there was the serendipitous book launch taking place across the street. Serendipitous, I say, because the author, Carla Perry, was one of the people that Michael and Mary had most wanted me to meet. But instead of meeting her at my reading, I met her in the aftermath of hers. She is a well-known, well-loved member of the Central Coast community and I can understand why her many friends flocked to celebrate with her. The few who didn't, flocked to mine - and I loved meeting them. They bought books.
I bought a copy of Perry's novel, - I believe that hers is, like mine, a first - and I'm looking forward to reading it. I'm also looking forward to seeing her again sometime, when there is time to talk. I liked the look of her. If my friends succeed in luring me to the Oregon Coast, I like knowing she's there.