Feeling Open to Opportunities for Self-Growth & Connection
"One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again." - Abraham Maslow
This month my theme is self-growth and transformation. I’m currently on my first-ever book tour promoting my novels, so I’ve decided to write a blog about how this experience has hurled me out of my comfort zone and provided me with massive opportunities for new learning. There’s a lot to cover, so I’m going to divide this one into two parts and will post the continuation in May.
The first big challenge to overcome and get creative with was trying to book author signing events from my home in Saudi Arabia at bookstore locations on my X-Canada tour, six cities in 5 weeks. With Covid still causing so much uncertainty, every trade manager I contacted was unwilling to schedule an in-person event. I didn’t let that deter me. I decided that since we were going to Canada for Mister’s block leave holiday anyway, why not take a leap of faith? I went into it with no expectations, only intentions, woven into the fabric of acceptance.
Amidst reunions and connections with family & friends, I carved out space to dive into book tour mode. I excitedly opened the box of business postcards I’d ordered, only to discover that the order was messed up. 500 copies with illegible text and the photo of me with eyes as two black triangles making me look more like a vampire-zombie hybrid than an aspiring indie author. It was an experience in self-growth to stay calm and get the situation resolved, but with some help from my Mister, my team and a few skype calls, I achieved success.
Disaster averted; my next task was to drop into local bookstores and inquire about hosting in-person author signings. On my first attempt, I was informed somewhat curtly that such events were not yet being scheduled, despite relaxed covid restrictions. Disappointed but determined, my next stop was at the Chapters Indigo in Victoria. To my absolute astonishment and delight, the trade manager engaged in a warm exchange and agreed to host an event the following Friday. My feet floated across the chilly cement floors of the parkade and I glowed with gratitude as I made my way back to the car, giddy with anticipation of things to come.
I had two more independent bookstores on my list. The first was a dead-end - sorry, no. The person I spoke with at the second location said they weren’t booking in-person events but would be open to scheduling me in for an online guest appearance. Unfortunately, they were already fully booked well into May. I was discovering that for every reach-out there were more nays than yeas and I returned home feeling deflated. I vented my feelings to my Mister and he comforted me by reminding me of my commitment, to have no expectations and stay present to the opportunities for self-growth.
I wrote social media posts announcing the Chapters event as well as a 5-star review of The Holding from an advanced reader. I sent emails and made phone calls in an attempt to secure more signings. I picked up the replacement shipment of business postcards from my kind and accommodating Airbnb host and, thankfully, the issues had all been resolved.
Before I knew it, Friday had arrived. I entered the Mayfair Mall with Mister by my side, carrying the box brimming over with copies of both of my books and my stack of postcards, butterflies in my tummy a-flutter. I took several deep, calming breaths and reminded myself of my goal, to be present and engaged.
As soon as we walked into Chapters, I spotted a staff member setting up a table, in conversation with a customer who was inquiring about the event. The woman turned as I approached and asked, was I the author, Lynda Faye Schmidt? I answered yes, and her face lit up. She went on to explain with enthusiasm that she was one of my dear friend’s sister-in-law, sent on her behalf with clear instructions to be the first to purchase a copy of each of my novels. She exuded positive energy and our exchange set the perfect tone.
The Chapters manager introduced herself and scanned my books into the system. I sat down behind the table with both books and a stack of postcards on display. Foot traffic was light, but I did my best to make eye contact and smile as people passed by. Most people stayed focused on their tasks, but a few stopped by to ask questions. About a half hour into it, I was taken completely by surprise when I looked up to see my daughter walking towards me, radiant with a huge smile. I stood up to hold her in a deep welcoming embrace and I felt so loved and supported. She bought a copy of The Holding and I wrote her a note of gratitude inside.
Over the next hour and half a few more people stopped by and then, before I knew it was time to pack-up. The manager requested that I leave signed copies of each book for their shelves, with the promise to affix “author-signed” stickers to the covers. Mister and I thanked her for her kind assistance and as we walked back to our car I felt my gratitude cup overflowing. It was a soft beginning, but it felt in perfect alignment with where I am on the journey.
The next morning dawned bright and early. We caught the ferry to Vancouver, where my second signing event was scheduled at Chapters Indigo. The wind stung my cheeks as, head down, I made my way up the packed Saturday afternoon sidewalk, but inside the bookstore it was warm and cozy.
The trade manager I’d been in communication with over emails, wasn’t available, but he sent his colleague to show me to the table already set-up at the top of the escalator. They’d printed off a poster advertising the event and it was displayed on a black cloth covered table along with a plastic Covid protection shield and a bottle of hand sanitizer. Another Chapters team member introduced himself as I set-up my novels and then I settled into my chair with nervous yet excited anticipation.
The top of the escalator proved to be a prime location and soon I was catching the eye of passersby who stopped to inquire more about the content and themes of my novels. In the first half hour a young woman from Denmark became quite interested when I told her The Healing was a story based on the transformative experiences of my main character, Cate Henderson. We ended up getting into deep conversation and over the course of our lengthy interaction she ended up purchasing four copies for herself and her friends. It was more than I’d ever imagined.
As it was, that first exchange was the highlight of the day, with only a few people trickling by for the remainder of the time. When it was time to pack-up, I thanked the team, who were all so kind, and we posed for a group photo to commemorate what was also their first author signing this year. They offered to shelve signed copies of my books and I left a-glow with positivity.
Our next destination on our tour was Calgary, and after packing up and checking out of our hotel we boarded our plane for the just-over-an-hour journey. We rented a car and drove to my brother’s house, which was our home base. Each day, I had to work hard at balancing book tour tasks with connection with my loved ones. At times it felt overwhelming, at others everything seemed to flow with hardly an effort at all. Chapters Indigo had agreed to host a signing on Good Friday, so I dropped in on Wednesday to introduce myself and leave copies of my novels for them to load into their system.
I had more opportunities for growth when, having sold all the copies I had of The Healing, I’d put in an order for a new shipment to be sent expedited delivery. My box of books was scheduled to arrive Thursday, in time for the signing, but as it was, a massive winter storm caused delays and my package didn’t arrive in time. I felt even more frustrated because I was flying out of Calgary the next day, my books still in transit and the tracking showing they’d arrive on Monday, when we were in Winnipeg. I decided I would have to make do with the single copy I’d left at Chapters Indigo and prayed that all would be well.
On Friday, Mister drove me to the bookstore. We walked in and spotted a table set up in a great location close to the door. One of the team members approached us, exuding sparkly energy. She was thrilled that the store was finally able to host in-person signings and welcomed us warmly. We were setting up my books in stacks when the trade manager came over and introduced himself. As we discussed details, it came to my attention that the staff member I’d met with on Wednesday had taken the copies of the books I’d brought in home with her and there was now no copy of The Healing for display. I was momentarily disappointed, but the manager responded quickly, printing off a poster and requesting the books be returned.
I squared my shoulders and set my resolve to make the most of the situation and focus on the positives. Mister took some photos of me while I waited patiently for customers to come forward or to catch their eye with a smile as they walked past my table. The store was quite busy, but no one seemed drawn to come check out the new, unknown author. Then a woman who I’d noticed glancing over a few times came over and we began a conversation. It was a pleasant exchange of life stories and she even purchased a copy of The Holding.
There was a short space with no activity and then the highlight of the event occurred when a lovely woman I’d made contact with through my publisher arrived. I’d never met her before and it was such a delightful surprise. Her smile went right up to her eyes and her gorgeous bright-auburn hair was like a tiger lily in full bloom. She gave hugs, offered kind words of encouragement, posed for a photo, bought a novel, and totally made my day.
A few people ventured over after that and I was able to share some more interesting conversations and give out my postcards. One rather unusual man came over and laid on the floor. He asked me to read him a bedtime story, then stood up and proceeded to place his business card on my table, then make a sales pitch for his nutritional supplements. He quizzed me on trivia and hung around longer than was comfortable. I realized more important information, that I still have a lot of boundary work to do as part of my self-growth journey.
That evening, as I packed to prepare for my flight to Winnipeg the next morning, I reflected on the first half of my tour. I felt grateful for all of the experiences, noting there was something special that really lit me up and something that challenged me at each one. It seemed in perfect alignment with life and in synchronicity with my goals of self-growth and transformation. As always, I trust the process of life and I have faith that everything, including my book tour, is occurring exactly as it should.
So yeah, I’m feeling open to opportunities for self-growth and connection.