We have reached that point in the year in which my daily commute is conducted entirely in the dark. The days are getting shorter. It is one of the only aspects of Fall I dislike. To make matters worse, dense cloud cover blocked out what little light remained in the sky as I pulled out onto the highway. A misty rain ensured that traffic would be particularly brutal.
Luckily my destination was nearby. Unluckily that meant it was that much closer to show time. My knuckles were still white from clutching the steering wheel like a life raft. I began to regret eating a large lunch.
Get it together, Allie. I told myself. You will be among friends.
I entered the shop thirty minutes ahead of schedule, which was a good thing as the barista had lost my order. Fortunately we came up with a quick plan B. Please let that be the worst that happens tonight. I could feel my limbs begin to shake as my adrenaline levels began to climb. Where is Lamont?
I pulled out my phone and hit the icon for the find my friend app. There he was, on his way, but still several minutes away. I have to find something to do to stay busy or I’ll go crazy. I returned to my car and popped open the truck. I retrieved two heavy boxes – my sole reason for being at this shop on a dark and dreary night.
The boxes felt heavier than I remembered from when I loaded them just that morning. Balancing on one foot while bracing the boxes on my other leg I pulled open the shop doors and placed the boxes on a nearby table. I waited. Lamont’s dot on the map moved maybe a fraction of an inch. Agony. I waited some more.
I watched as the barista placed my order in the adjacent conference room. Another minute passed as I stared at my phone’s display. I felt my stomach lurch. You have to do something. Now.
I grabbed my boxes and walked toward the conference room. A pair of double doors blocked my way. I’ve gotten this far by myself. I lifted my leg to repeat the balancing act that had gotten me to this point.
Crash. The boxes tumbled down, their contents spilling out across the floor. Other casual patrons stopped their conversations and came to offer their help. As they picked up several copies of identical books, I realized I could no longer hide who I was or why I was there.
Yes. I am an author. My latest book launches today. Can I interest you in a copy?
Allie Potts 
Yay! Congrats Allie. I hope that it was fab. I hate the darkness commute too. Makes me feel as if all I do is pay bills and die. Grim but true. On a brighter note, I’m so happy for your book launch!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I occasionally pretend I am in space going from airlock to airlock. Ridiculous maybe, but it makes it seem a little more fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Congrats! Love the picture 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
Book launching is very stressful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least it is out there, for better or worse.
LikeLike
So exciting! Congratulations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excited is just one of the emotions I am feeling right now. I am also nervous, relieved, and exhausted. Thanks though for your support!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome! I’ve never done a book signing, though it’s my dream to one day pull a copy of my novel off the shelf at Powell’s.
LikeLike
I may never do one again. Actually it was fun after my nerves settled down. While the line wasn’t out the door, the room was at least full.
Powell doesn’t realize what they are missing. I thoroughly enjoyed your novel – although what did Rushmore ever do to you?
LikeLike
Thank you! I just downloaded yours to my Kindle this morning. I swear I did that before reading your comment. 🙂
I lived in Rapid City for three years when I was in high school. I love Mount Rushmore!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! All those parenting classes on laying guilt trips paid off (I am kidding though. I mentioned it only because I did really like it, but realized that I have been very slack getting my reviews up). I thought you wrote some great characters.I am starting to wonder where you haven’t lived.
LikeLike
Thank you so much! I appreciate the kind words. My dad was in the Air Force, not sure if you knew that, so I lived in a bunch of places. Many of them made their way into No Time For Kings! I did not live in Alaska, though. That was purely based on research.
LikeLike
That explains a lot.
LikeLike
I’m so excited for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on the book launch! I’m a few days behind, but still, sending happy and successful thoughts your way.
On a semi-related note, you have a widget up near the top of your page with “BOOKS” and then pictures of the two books. I tried to click on them, but nothing happened! So I’d suggest linking that image up to the book’s page, so people can click it and check out your awesome writing 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks! Darn widgets. Never doing what they are supposed to.
LikeLike
I do envy you, well done for getting there.
I’ve just downloaded a copy of your second book your first one sounded a bit too close to home!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am looking forward to your turn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You might be an old lady by then. At least you could use your free bus pass to come to my launch.
LikeLike
Ha! Sounds like good use of a bus pass
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! I trust everything else went well.
LikeLike
Yep. The rest of the event went better than I expected.
LikeLike
Hi,
I know Eric and Donna and Lucy. Thank you for liking my comment on her site.
Good luck with your book launch. That’s thrilling. I am developing a topic for my own book. Kind of nerve-wracking. Nice to see you again.
Janice
LikeLiked by 1 person