Anna Questerly

Anna Questerly
Bookseller and bibliophile turned author, Anna Questerly writes medieval fiction and fairy tales for smart kids and young hearts. For adults, she creates Utopian fantasy as A.J. Questerly.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Prerelease Party

There are days in our lives that are truly special, moments of celebration shared with those we love. Yesterday was one of those days for me. I was excited about the prerelease party for my first book, The Minstrel's Tale. Thom had ordered a cake and created a beautiful display of my books in the lobby of the bookstore. Friends had called and stopped in to say they'd be there. My son assured me he and his girlfriend wouldn't miss it-and the books arrived in time. I was a little nervous, but knew it would be a fun day.

Two nights before the party, at midnight, my daughter made a surprise visit from L. A, and the weekend took on a surreal quality. My daughter is extremely busy right now with school, work, and her own business. I hadn't even asked her to come to the release party. I didn't realize how much I wanted her to be there until she showed up.

Thom treated us all to brunch on Sunday morning, and we made it to the bookstore in plenty of time to make sure everything was ready. The kids surprised me with a pink rose and asparagus (wizard's weed) bouquet for the signing table. People began arriving even before the store opened. I wrapped my minstrel's cloak around my shoulders and began signing books.

I looked across the table into the eyes of the people who came to have me sign their copy and realized how lucky I am to have friends such as these. I know how busy our lives are these days, how hard it is to make time on the weekend for an event, and with each new arrival, my heart swelled a bit more.

At one point, I looked up to see a line forming around the lobby and knew this is what it feels like to be an author. I will never forget this weekend or the people who made it such a wonderful experience. I told Thom and my kids that if I get this type of "star treatment" each time I write a book, I would certainly be writing more books.

By the end of the day, I was happily exhausted; like my daughter's wedding and my son's graduation, this day was one for the memory book, a day to be tucked safely away and drawn out from time to time to reminisce over and enjoy again.


There are more pictures on Anna's Questerly's Facebook page.

5 comments:

  1. The prerelease party for "The Minstral's Tale" proved to be the high-point of my Sunday afternoon. I read the book and have been riveted by the dual nature of the story: The mystery surrounding life in 1300's France and England and fairy tales, an oral tradition...sort of a form of pre-media entertainment. I look forward to the next two books in the sequence and encourage all of you to buy the first in the set.

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  2. We are so excited about the release of your book. I am enjoying reading it (again) and will share it with your Dad when I am done. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Don't make me wait too long.

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  4. Thanks, Mom. I hope Dad likes it too. I can't wait to hear what he thinks of it. Love, Anna

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  5. A brilliant book, as an avid reader of medieval stories, The Minstrel's Tale becomes one of my favourites. Congratulations Anna on a really marvelous book, can't wait for the next two. Marie Fullerton (UK)

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