Surviving an Author Event

I did it!

I managed to survive, although a bit mentally scathed, my very first author event.

Talk about an invigorating, heart-pounding, palm sweating, life changing experience that I will forever cherish and remember. If you have never had one for your book, you need to do it!

I was fortunate to have A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove, CA, be the magnificent host for my author engagement on a very special day in support of World Down Syndrome Day. Why that day? Well, for one, I am the proud parent of a child with Down Syndrome, so celebrating my book to coincide with a day important to my family was an invitation I could not turn down. Second, my book, Pandemic-19, just so happens to have a character integral to the plot who has, you might guess, Down Syndrome!

Wait, say that again?

Yes, Pandemic-19 has a character central to the story who has a disability.

You mean in a mainstream psychological suspense thriller fiction book?

That is correct my friends.

As a parent I couldn’t be prouder to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and talk about my child and what it means to me to also be a writer who breaks the mold of modern fiction and include characters with disabilities in my stories. And, not just side note characters.

I don’t do that.

I mean, I write about characters who play key roles in the tale I weave, so much so you better pay attention. They kick ass, do things unexpected, save the world, lead adventures, all of the things that any character in a book might do and be a rock star.

Well, that’s different.

So true! We need more diversity and inclusion in modern fiction! Especially, in the adult fiction arena where the same formulas and cast of similar types exist. Inclusion of disabilities in a story means you represent what and who we have in society and around us in our family and friends. As an author, why would I not want to bring a bit of modern mentality to my books?

So, how did it go?

Well, it was spectacular!

I met a wonderful mother Magdeline and her daughter Katina who came to check me out. I must say and I mean it, Katina is a rock star of a young woman breaking the mold. Down Syndrome does not define her. She is out tackling the world and showing society that she is beyond awesome in the things she does, the advocacy she promotes, and being a genuine human being living her life every day the way she wants. Plus, her smile is awesome! I enjoyed getting to talk to them before the event and learning about what Katrina does as an adult to support people with Down Syndrome and educate everyone that disabilities do not define anyone.

Katina is now one of my heroes.

After that life-changing interaction, I had to regroup and focus because the spotlight was on me! The number of people who came and the book sales exceeded my expectations. I had a sea of faces staring back at me and had to really use the microphone to get to the back of the bookstore so they could hear me. But, beyond all of that, it was an opportunity to tell people why I do what I do and the reasons behind it. I am not just an author of fiction. I am a writer who chooses to be inclusive with his books. To me, that is a defining aspect of who I am.

My life changed when I became a parent. My books changed a bit too.

So, there I stood, looking out at strangers and familiar faces, being the center of attention. A huge poster next to me exalting World Down Syndrome Day and the event details because, well, I was there to promote World Down Syndrome Day as a special part of my life and also sell a book.

Everything intertwined.

Feet first to jump into the pool. I explained what World Down Syndrome Day meant to me. Not just as a parent, but now as an author with a published book that is inclusive of characters with disabilities. I have been writing professionally for many years and fiction has always been my sanity check against business and technical works. I have numerous books written, in fact, my first journey saw a fiction trilogy full of suspense and thrills. Sat at a café and wrote them all longhand and then typed up.

But, they did not have characters with disabilities.

Life took over and trying to get them published took a backseat. Travel for business and the everyday became a focus to just live. I kept writing all along, just more for me than anything else. Then, I had a child with a disability, and my world forever changed.

So, I discussed that in my talk. The author me and the father me. All the time trying to keep focus on why I was there on a special day important for my family and how that allowed me to write a book that breaks the mold of modern fiction by being inclusive.

To me, that is the most important part of the new me as an author.

Then, the hard part. The agonizing aspect that kept me awake for weeks. Which chapter to read and share?

I scrutinized, studied, went back and forth, asked my wife, and then finally settled on a significant chapter that told the story without divulging too much of the plot. Taking book in hand, microphone right there, I read the pages. Emphasized the words the conveyed the feelings that Ryan Carmichael was experiencing, and highlighted certain sentences that really capture the moment.

That part was probably the most nerve-wrenching part of the whole experience.

How do you select the right one? Choose which chapter you want as a writer to elicit in your audience a desire to buy your book? Based on the eyes that looked upon me, it seemed to work out just fine. The paranoia I felt was just my own mind playing tricks on me. There is no real right or wrong answer. You just have to believe in your words, your expertise, that the chapter to read will be the visual that takes all of your hard work and paints the mental images you wanted people to see.

I think I did just that.

Success! Whew. I got what I thought were the hard parts done. Moved onto the next part of my event.

The dreaded Q&A.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I like questions and answers. It provides an opportunity for people to get to know you a bit better. Dive into your mind and the reasons behind what you do, especially as a writer.

So, what’s the dreadful part then, Mister?

In all honesty, it is and was right then and there, ensuring that I did World Down Syndrome Day justice. Was articulate enough to explain myself and answer detailed enough to get the point across. Feel I did my child a great service by me being there and choosing to be inclusive as an author and putting ourselves out there for all the see.

So to speak.

I was asked some great questions. Topics like my process to writing, overcoming life to find the time to actually sit and put pen to paper, how long it took to write my book, and being able to offer the background as to why Pandemic-19 tackled the plot it did. Being able to dive into those subjects and offer insight was gold. As authors we want to people to understand us, so this time was so much a time to share and really know what others wanted to absorb to better relate to Jason, the man standing at the front of the room who writes stories to entertain.

When that was all finished up, to the best part for me of the evening. Being able to meet, talk, sign books for people, and take pictures. The sales are the sales. While it is part of the deal, the selling of the book, to me the meet and greet and being able to engage individually is what I love. While it is a tiny fraction of an interaction, a small snippet in time, each encounter is something I will forever fondly remember.

For full disclosure of course, I personally knew some of my audience. Many have known me for a very long time.

Others, this was the first time to meet and have a chat. Sign a book and take a photo. Create memories with me, but more importantly, for me. Without readers and support, I have little except my imagination and a love of writing books. Being able to share with people and get more word out, expands my platform.

Not just all about book sales. But, more importantly, giving me a platform to advocate for a cause that drives my soul and really, and truly, is my life mission as I continue to write and be published. I will break the mold of fiction by being one of the best sellers who just happens to be inclusive of characters with disabilities. I will promote causes and drive change for a modern audience in search of more in their books. Use my status to support and ensure voices are heard. Put my best selling money to work for what I believe in to help others.

I’m already a top 1% best seller on Amazon across my ebook, paperback, and hardcover. You can find me at major bookstores and retailers around the globe. This is just the beginning for me and the journey I have chosen. Come along for the ride. It’s early and we have so much more time to watch this all grow into something magnificent that changes the world.

I survived my first author event and look forward to many more. You can survive it too.