Some Notes (and Images) from the Last Few Days
Posted February 04, 2012 by
I don’t even know where to begin. The last few days have been an absolute whirlwind. My book has been out in the world for just three days and already my inbox is full to the brim with the most heartfelt emails from readers I’ve never met, with new Twitter followers, Facebook friends, photo after amazing photo of my book in stores, or in the hands of blog readers. My phone is stocked with voicemails, my heart with love, and my eyes with tears.
Really. I’ve been crying for the last twenty minutes just overwhelmed by it all. Greg just took Vera to the playground and the moment they closed the door behind them I began crying, just from the immensity of it all. Crying because fifty people came to my reading at Book Soup last night, crying because strangers are reading my book and liking it, crying because the reviews popping up in my Google alerts every day have been overwhelmingly positive, crying because some of my very best friends in the world came from all over (even as far as West Virginia) to be with me last night, and crying because tomorrow morning I get on a plane for New York and leave my husband and daughter for five days while I record my audio book.
It’s a lot. I’m wildly humbled, incredibly grateful, and quite overwhelmed.
Thank you so much to everyone who has emailed me and called me and Facebooked, and tweeted at me. I’ve read and seen every single one of your messages and posts, even if I haven’t yet responded. Please know that each one means the world to me. Just thinking about the notes and photos you’ve been sending are making me cry all over again right now.
Here are some photos from the last few days to help better demonstrate how amazing it’s been.
A gift on publishing day from my wonderful husband:
A montage of my mother-in-law visiting my book at a Barnes & Noble in Naples, FL.
A blog reader in Boston. This photo makes me cry every time I look at it!
With two of my best friends, Holly and Liz, yesterday afternoon before we went to Book Soup for the reading. Liz (pictured right) is the Liz mentioned throughout the whole book. She lives in Long Beach and is pregnant with her third child. Holly (pictured left) is the Holly from the start of Chapter 12 and she left behind her husband and two kids to fly all the way here from West Virginia yesterday.
My book on display at Book Soup last night.
With Liz again, both of us pregnant and kind of disbelieving that any of this is real.
With good friends (and great writers) George Ducker (left) and Jacob Strunk (right).
My new favorite photo of me and my amazing husband.
Four of my favorite women in the world. Holly, Liz, Rhonda (my old neighbor from my Venice days) and beautiful Abby (far right, who can also be found in the chapter about my dad’s death). I also have to mention that Abby’s ENTIRE family came last night — her parents, her sister and her husband, and Abby’s brother and his girlfriend. They are, hands down, the best family I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing (outside of the Booses, of course) and it made me cry (surprise!) to have them all there.
The view from the podium where I stood:
View to the right of the podium:
With Brad Listi, founder of The Nervous Breakdown literary website, who introduced me last night. Wait until you hear this awesome podcast I did with him (airs tomorrow) on Other People.
A few words of thanks before reading.
Signing a book to one of my former professors from Antioch. I hadn’t seen him in years and was thrilled that he showed up! And look at that line behind him. I can’t believe how many books I signed. Word on the street is that we sold Book Soup out of all their copies.
This picture makes me cry. I look like a real author! This moment, signing books to this line of people was, hands down, the most surreal moment of it all yet.
Look at my beautiful girlfriends! This was us just before we headed out to a sparkly after-party at Picca, hosted by my gorgeous friend Lien Ta who couldn’t be at the reading but who made up for it with hugs and piscos and empanadas for us all.
Okay, that’s pretty much what the last few days have looked like. I’m off to New York in the morning (probably tearfully) for what is surely to be the next most amazing week of my life. I’ll no doubt be blogging fairly often, but you can also follow along on Twitter or Instagram.
Here are a couple of cool links from the last couple of days:
An essay I wrote on wowOwow entitled Reacting to Our Mothers, Until We Can’t Anymore
An interview with me on author Caroline Leavitt’s blog.
A link to my book tour dates. I would love to see you, if you’re in one of these cities!
And lastly, just thank you. Thank you.
A Brief Note on Putting Myself Out There
All This: Reflections on Atlanta
Notes from AtlantaFiled under: Book Tour, The Rules of Inheritance by Claire Bidwell Smith
28 Comments
Claire, Jack and i are so proud of you. Finally was able to get the book yesterday. You are a great writer.
Sue
Comment by Aunt Sue on February 4, 2012 at 12:22 pm
So happy for you and wish you only the very best. Love from your mother-in-law
Comment by Rita on February 4, 2012 at 1:31 pm
So fun to see all the pictures from the inaugural reading! Everybody is beaming and we can feel the energy that was in that store.
Xander was looking at the pictures with me and said “There’s Aunt Claire with her books. Hey look there are kids books behind her – what are those dad?” Xander will keep you humbled like Veronica.
Comment by Eric on February 4, 2012 at 1:44 pm
I’m so happy I could be there with you yesterday and last night. It meant the world to me. xoxo
Comment by Liz on February 4, 2012 at 1:59 pm
I can hardly believe that you took (let alone even found!) time out of that whirlwind to take us along with you in this post, Claire. Vera will be fine in your absence this coming week, and Greg, of course, wins uber-good-husband points for that perfect gift. May the exuberance just go on and on for all of you
Comment by Carroll on February 4, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Oh, you deserve every minute of this fame! I know that you have helped m in my own journey with grief. It makes me cry, with joy, thinking of all the others who probably feel as healed as I do now, with many thanks to your book.
-Kristine
Comment by Kristine Hansen on February 4, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Claire,
These photos are magical! You must think you are dreaming! Can’t wait to get my copies on Jan. 7. First time I have seen your belly baby bump!
Love you and enjoy every minute! See you in March,
Love Auntie Pam
Comment by Pam Purdy on February 4, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Wow, Claire, it’s looked like an amazing turnout. What a success! And this is only the beginning, isn’t it?
Can’t wait for your Chicago readings!
Comment by Sara on February 4, 2012 at 5:18 pm
So excited for you! This is only the beginning!
Comment by Suzanne Morrison on February 4, 2012 at 7:03 pm
We are SO proud of you!! I wish I could be there, but know that I am in spirit. And as the person before me said, this is only the beginning! XOXOX
Comment by Ashley on February 4, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Claire, yours is simply one of the best books I have ever read…spare, and true and elegant. Thank you!
Comment by Nancy franke on February 5, 2012 at 6:53 am
Thank you for writing your memoir and sharing it with us. I think you are amazing and what a road you’ve traveled in such a short period of time. Blessings to you and your family.
Comment by Sherry on February 5, 2012 at 9:45 am
So happy we were able to join you for the book reading. There was so much energy and love in that room. It was simply amazing! Craig and I wish you all the best on your book tour and the rest of your readings!
Comment by Wendy on February 5, 2012 at 11:13 am
Wendy, it was a true gift to have you and Craig there! Thank you so much for celebrating and supporting me!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:18 am
Thank you, Sherry!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:18 am
Wow, what kind words. Thank you, Nancy!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:19 am
Aw, thank you Ashley! You’ll be there for the Chicago reading and that will be just as great! xoxo
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:20 am
Thank you, Suzanne! See you SOON!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:20 am
Thanks, Sara! Excited for Chicago!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:21 am
Thank you, Pam! Yes, what a baby bump I have going on, huh? Excited to see you next month!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:21 am
Aw, thank you so much Kristine! Your support has meant so much! xo
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:22 am
Aw, thanks so much Carroll! Can’t wait to see YOU at one of these readings!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:22 am
Liz!! I cannot imagine it any other way. Amazing to have you there. Thank you for everything.
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:22 am
Thanks, Eric! So cute about Xander. Wish I was coming to Cleveland too!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:23 am
Thank you, Rita!! Loving all the B&N photos from Florida!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:24 am
Thank you so much, Sue!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 6, 2012 at 5:25 am
Congratulations! What wonderful friends and family you have … Enjoy all the moments! I’m so looking forward to reading your book.
Comment by nicole on February 7, 2012 at 10:53 am
Thank you, Nicole!
Comment by Claire Bidwell Smith on February 19, 2012 at 9:09 am
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