Readers who have followed my writerly journey will remember that I hit a dry spell between 2012 and 2020. I wasn’t writing during those years. Promoting my work was the last thing on my mind. I was emotionally, mentally, and physically unavailable for any kind of bookish event.
Which is why I was both excited and nervous about participating in an author event sponsored by the local public library. It wasn’t just a book-signing opportunity. The 10 participating authors also presented a mini-workshop on Getting Started Writing, Overcoming Writer’s Block, Avoiding Common Errors, and Getting Published.
Nerves and eagerness led me to over-prepare, as I do. I had new posters printed for my book table. I obsessed over what I should wear. I actually practiced—in front of a mirror—my five-minute talks on two of those topics.
It all went fine, of course. Book-signings and writing workshops are like riding a bicycle: once you learn, you don’t forget. I fell back into it like the old pro I am. Prior to 2012, I’d done a bunch of author events and writing conferences.
Here are a few pictures from my “comeback.” It was fun, and I’m glad to go back on the circuit.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.waterspell.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-Burleson-Library-table-1.jpg?resize=500%2C353&ssl=1)
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![](https://i0.wp.com/www.waterspell.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/APR23-Author-Event-Flyer.png?resize=500%2C647&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.waterspell.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Potions-bottle-necklace.jpg?resize=500%2C443&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.waterspell.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-Burleson-Library-event-swag.jpg?resize=500%2C667&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.waterspell.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-Event-table-closeup-1.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)