Saturday, October 3, 2009

Author Pimp Thyself


I spoke at the Book of Mormon conference today about Heroes of the Fallen and it went better than I expected. The book won't even be released for almost another 2 months and already people were asking for my autograph, that's a little surreal. I signed my postcards with my book cover on the front and an excerpt on the back.

I even found a moment to hawk fellow WiDo authors books, when some people wanted to know what else was coming out. Some were especially interested in Marilyn Brown's Fires of Jerusalem. I even had one lady ask to get her picture taken with me (2 pictures) like I said I wasn't expecting that much of a reception, but at the least I know I have spread the word about Heroes of the Fallen a bit more. I even bumped into some old friends I hadn't seen in years so that was cool. Did have a few Mom's that wanted to know what I meant by a grittier story though, they wanted to know if their kids could read it. I read an excerpt and let a few more peruse some other chapter tidbits and everyone seemed to
come away feeling that it wasn't too extreme. Have I failed?

I turned over some ARC's for review to a few of the bigger named presenters Bruce Porter, Rod Meldrum and Wayne May and hope to hear some good things back soon and I also had a great time just hanging out with some of the other artists there, namely the painter David Lindsley and the sculptor Jason Millward (its their works that are shown). We discussed inspiration and all other manner of nonsense for a good long while. Moments like these make me feel like Hemingway in Paris with other artistic expatriates.

Followers of this blog know how I feel about swords, so it was really cool to see on public display for the first time since the days of Nauvoo, Joseph Smith's lieutenant generals sword. A book about it has just been released by LDS Archive Publishers. I made it a point to tell them what a service I think they provide in reprinting old out of print books.

All in all it was a good time and I expect next years (april 1st and 2nd) to be even better, it will apparently still be held at the Zermatt resort but with more organization so that at least a 1,000 people can attend instead of just this years 400. That and I will need a good sized box of books to be autographing instead of postcards.

13 comments:

Mary Gray said...

I'm so glad it went well! *shrieks/gasps* People wanted your autograph!!!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Great news, I had been wondering how it went--I'm glad you posted about it. And you better get used to the celebrity status!

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

David,that is so so awesome! I'm thrilled you had such a great reception! How wonderful!

nephite blood spartan heart said...

Thanks WiDo Ladies.

Melanie Goldmund said...

Sounds like you had a great time there! (I'm almost jealous.) I'll bet the next time is even better!

nephite blood spartan heart said...

Thanks Melanie, I kind of think next time could be better too.

Nichole Giles said...

Congratulations. How cool to sign autographs and have your picture taken with people. Sounds like a fun conference. =)

Nichole

Karlene said...

Oooh! I want some of those autographed cards to sell on ebay. :)

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Wow. What an incredible, head spinning experience that must have been. And to think some day that'll just be normal to your famous author self. Congrats!

nephite blood spartan heart said...

Thanks everyone. It was kind of a surprise. I was trying to brace myself that nobody would listen to unknown me-but I had a decent turnout and more interest than I expected. I was a little pessimistic at first not wanting to give myself too high of expectations.

Oh and I forgot to mention that some one did give me some (Good???) natured heckling as i left the building. A woman and three of her friends were going inside as I was leaving and as I was about 20 feet away I heard her singing in my direction "Book of Mormon stories that my teacher tells to me," I am still not sure if she heard me speak or was just heckling the conference in general-I did not recognize her from my presenatation so I can't be sure.

Oh and Karlene, I do have a few more cards If we want to work out a deal for any other books of yours that haven't made it to e-bay yet.

L.A. DeVaul said...

Wow!!! That is great! If people wanted you to sign their cards, imagine what it will be like when you have the book and it is a huge success. I am so excited for you!

nephite blood spartan heart said...

Preciate it LA. How soon do I get to see your book cover?

L.A. DeVaul said...

Probably not for a while. I don't know exactly when my book will be released. Sometime in the spring of next year I think. So I am guessing the cover will be ready some time before then.