Just had a great couple of days promoting my book in our nation’s capital. Although the on-going debt crisis was the real big news, I did manage to get the word out about my book. My two older sister’s, Trisha and Susie live in the Maryland/Virginia area so it was great to see them and their families. Thanks to my sister Susie, she introduced me to a good friend of her’s, Kelly, who happens to be a publicist, artist, author, etc. She does just about everything! She managed to book me on 2 shows in the DC area, plus secured a book signing at Barnes and Noble in Tyson’s Corner, VA. I drove up last Tuesday and stayed thru Saturday. It was a great, fun, tiring time.
I took a picture of Duke who sat on my bed as I packed on Tuesday. He was depressed and so was I. I hate leaving him.
Duke watching me pack for DC
Before I get to the photos of my DC trip, we had a big family event a day before I left. Our youngest, Hannah, turned 21! Does not seem possible.
Hannah's 21st birthday dinner at Divine's in Murrell's Inlet. Brian with his beautiful daughter's.
My time in DC was jammed packed with stuff to do. Met my publicist, Kelly, for the first time. She took me over to the CBS studio to see the site before hand so I would be a bit more comfortable with the setting.
Me, sitting at the news desk - very fun.
Thursday, I was picked up by Kelly and we went over to the ABC affiliate station, channel 7. My sister Susie came with me so that was fun and very re-assuring for me. We sat for a few minutes out in the waiting room and we met another guest on the show that day, author, Stuart Diamond. He wrote a book called, “Getting More”, How to Negotiate to Achieve Your Goals in the Real World. My sister started talking to him, and I introduced myself to him and asked him if I could take a photo with him as we were both going to be guests on the same show. He was so gracious. Stuart went on the show first and I was going to be the second guest. When they introduced him at the beginning of the show, my jaw dropped. He is a Pulitzer Prize winner, and a NY Times best-selling author! I think I said this in an earlier blog, but there just seems to be this wonderful generosity among writers and sometimes I have to pinch myself because I can’t believe I am now part of this world.
My first live interview - very nervous and excited!
My sister, Susie and author Stuart Diamond
I was interviewed by anchor Natasha Barrett, and she was wonderful! She made my first live interview as comfortable and easy as possible. I hope to have a copy of the segment on my site as soon as it is sent to me.
Next stop, Nordstrom’s – for some shopping fun. Went straight to the Bobbi Brown make-up counter for some powder. Unlike the Dr. Drew show, I had to do my own make-up, which is difficult because I wear very little make-up, ever. The lights on TV set’s are very hot, and I think I started sweating in the middle of my interview. I did not want that to happen to me for the next day’s interview at CBS. My sister and I had fun just hanging out and shopping – we don’t get to see each other nearly enough so I was thrilled to have such a big chunk of time to spend with her.
Friday morning was a bit more nerve wracking for me. The Thursday show on Channel 7 is more geared to women. My Friday interview was going to be a part of the live, 12 noon broadcast. JC Hayward is a very popular, much-liked journalist in the DC area and I really wanted to come across professional, articulate, and not scared! Once again, I am happy to report that JC could not have been kinder. I was only on for about a 3 or 4 minute segment, but she was so kind and really put my book out there. The interview was over before I knew it. I asked her if I could take a photo of us together and she was wonderful. Look how great she looks!
JC Hayward and Me. She was so cool! Just as nice and supportive as she could be.
Interview done - leaving CBS
Will write a new blog tomorrow, if we don’t melt first. We are having such a humid, hot summer here in Myrtle Beach, our power went out twice, early tonight, as I was working on this blog. The strain on our local utilities must be amazing.