My Event w/ Mary Higgins Clark! Cape Cod #Book Signing #Author Panel

Not just meeting Mary Higgins Clark, but sitting on
an author panel with her and signing books right
across from her - a dream come true!

A few weeks ago, I had the tremendous honor of not only participating in an author panel and book signing to raise money for a children’s charity, but doing so with some very big names in the industry, including my childhood idol, Mary Higgins Clark.  I still can’t believe it all happened, really, but I have the pictures (and my name card for the panel, autographed by Mary Higgins Clark!) to remind myself.  So, I thought I’d share the pictures here as well, as a testament that dreams can come true!

I blogged about the event here, but in a nutshell, I was asked to participate in the event last spring, with no details other than the proceeds would benefit Dream Day on Cape Cod, an organization bringing children with life-threatening illnesses to Cape Cod for relaxation and vacation time with family.  I had no idea who the other authors on the panel would be, but I immediately said yes—a chance to help children and gain visibility for my novels is a win/win.  I didn’t learn the identity of the author panel until a few weeks prior to the event, and you should have seen my expression when I opened the promotional flier and saw “Mary Higgins Clark” next to my name.  Then I saw other very well-known names such as Hank Phillipi Ryan, Sally Cabot Gunning, and Jacquelyn Mitchard and nearly fell off my stool at the kitchen island. 

Trading books with Hank Phillipi Ryan!

The event was held at the Cape Cod Museum of Art, and it was entitled Art, Word, and Wine.  What a great night!  There were nine authors, each with a large table displaying our books, bios, and cards, and while we signed books there, Brewster Book Store employees took care of the sales.  Local shops offered wine tasting and appetizers, and there was a large raffle table as well.  We had a 45 minute author panel with a quick Q&A session; for the most part, we signed books at our tables and chatted with attendees.

Our author panel during Q & A

I was able to chat quite a bit with Mary Higgins Clark and Hank Phillipi Ryan, whose tables were near mine.  What an honor!  Mary Higgins Clark signed my author panel name card on request, and was so very gracious about it, and Hank Phillipi Ryan suggested I Facebook friend her.  Done!  Quite a few of my friends came to the event, as well as a number of members of the gym where I work.  And my mother-in-law came to drive with me, help carry my stuff, take pictures, and offer general support, which I appreciated very much. 

My name card from the author panel, signed by Mary Higgins Clark!

I met a lot of new people as well, including the County Administrator of Barnstable, who works right near the Old Haunted Jail from my novel Haunted Souls (which he purchased and said he enjoyed very much in follow-up emails!).  Since the building in that area of 6A are so old and filled with history—and possibly ghosts—he offered to give me a tour, which is coming up soon.  I can’t wait—maybe a new story idea will strike!  And I’ll take plenty of pictures and notes, so check back in for that post.  Thanks for stopping by!

My table!

Attendees received a hand-painted wineglass
made my children at Dream Day's camp