Friday night I gave a reading at the Barnes & Noble in South Bend, Indiana. Technically it was in Mishawaka, which I understand is a village within South Bend.
The Mishawaka B & N is huge. In Manhattan, four to six apartments could fit inside it. It has a big friendly cafe and spacious friendly feeling; the parking lot was jammed and no corner of the store was empty. When I commented on the flow of people, lovely Jennifer, the events manager, told me that the B&N was a hang-out within the community.
At my stage of the publishing game, a first time novelist, mostly unknown, readings are really parties for my family and friends. I have family in that area and an uncle and some cousins and their families showed up. My mother’s best friend since 2nd grade came with her daughters and their families. It was touching to see her; her health has been poor and she has suffered, but she was determined to see her best friend’s daughter read. They rolled her in in a wheel chair and she sat there beaming at me from under the beret that covered her head, where her hair had fallen out from chemo. I hugged her several times and thanked her with love, but I didn’t quite know how to express my gratitude at the courage and determination it took for her to show up and support me this way.
In addition to family and friends, there were a few readers there. One was a lovely woman who had emailed me a few weeks ago, saying she had much enjoyed IMMORTAL and was happy I was coming to South Bend. I was delighted to see her in person. It wasn’t easy for her with two small children to get away for an evening. I was flattered and awed that she had made the effort to hear me read. And there were two teachers there from a teacher’s reading book club which had studied IMMORTAL. They were smart, charming, and interesting, and I came away with the impression that their students were lucky to have them. Teaching is one of the most under-appreciated professions. It’s back- and heart-breakingly difficult, requires constant energy, imagination, and creativity, and doesn’t earn what it deserves. Yet here were these two women of sparkling intelligence, pursuing arts & letters outside working hours. You have to respect the interest and commitment. I hope they enjoyed the reading.
And so I would like to thank them all. My family and friends who come to my readings: I’m grateful! And to readers who have never met me and don’t have a blood obligation: thank you! I appreciate your interest. It matters more than you know.