A Dream Come True!

Prefer to Listen? Press play to hear this post read byAvree Kelly Clark

7:22

Last week’s blog post covered some of the challenging bits of being a self-published author, whereas this post is about those INCREDIBLE first ten days after publishing my debut novel! It was a crazy whirlwind of pure bliss!! I mean, the kind of thing a debut author only dreams of!! I’ll tell you the story . . .

It all started on October 4, 2023—the release date of my debut novel, as well as the 148th anniversary of a small-town local murder I had written about that occurred in Pembroke, New Hampshire. My mom and I drove to the Josie Langmaid monument, across from Three Rivers Middle School on Academy Road in Pembroke, to leave flowers at the location where seventeen-year-old Josie was inhumanely slain on her way to school that autumn morn of 1875. We then stopped to place flowers on Josie’s grave in the Buck Street cemetery located on Suncook Valley Highway (see photos below). 

Placing flowers on Josie's monument located on Academy Road

Stopping to pay my respects at Josie's grave in the Buck Street Cemetery

We next visited the historical society out behind the Pembroke Town Library, after I dropped off a signed copy of my book—I also dropped off copies in Hooksett, Epsom, and Concord libraries that same day. The tiny building behind the library used to be the grammar school located on Buck Street (originally spelled Buckstreet) where Josie once attended school. I was disappointed to learn the building is seldom ever opened because I really wanted to tread the floor Josie had once walked herself.

While standing outside of the old schoolhouse, my mom played photographer to get a picture of me holding up my book (see photo below) to be able to share on social media. I got a little self-conscious when I noticed a yellow school bus in the library parking lot with someone sitting behind the wheel and probably wondering: What the heck are those two ladies up to? 

Posing with my debut novel outside of the Pembroke Historical Society (former Buck Street schoolhouse)

Well, it turns out that’s exactly what the bus driver was thinking . . . but before I get too ahead of myself, I should explain that I then went on to Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord to see if they’d be willing to carry Malice Aforethought in store. They graciously accepted three copies from me to sell on consignment (see photo below). I honestly wasn’t sure if my book would even move, but I thought it was at least worth a try . . . 

It was surreal to see my book in the Local Authors' section of Gibson's Bookstore

That evening, I created a post in a Pembroke community Facebook page, and I was blown away by the response!! In the post I shared that my book was available in a few local libraries in the area and that I had dropped off autographed copies of my book at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. One of the commenters on my post was the mystery school bus driver, Jennifer, who was so glad to learn what it was I had been up to earlier that day—relieved that I solved that mystery for her, haha. She let me know that she intended to check the book out of the library. She soon did and became one of my greatest supporters and promoters in the area!! (I'll never forget those who've helped me and been with me since the beginning!)

Soon people were sharing their newly acquired signed copies from Gibson’s under the post (see photo below), and by October 6, I was dropping off three more copies. By the 7th, Gibson’s was requesting EIGHT more copies!! 

The first image of someone ELSE holding my book!! Super special!

October 7 was a dreary, rainy day when I pushed my way into the vestibule with my hefty box of books. Walking through the main door of Gibson's, I see a woman is being assisted at the register nearest the door, and I hear the cashier explain, “I’m sorry it’s sold out, but we can order it for you.” 

At this time, I have no earthly idea what book the patron could possibly be looking for as I make my way to the other end of the counter to where I see a kindly staff member. I introduce myself by saying, “Hi, I’m Avree Clark here to drop off more books—” when I hear, “That’s her! That’s the author whose book I’m looking for!” (I mean, talk about a pinch-me moment! You really can only dream of something like that happening!)

While still holding my box, I turn to find the elated woman walking toward me, all too happy to see I came bearing books since she was just in the process of ordering a copy for store pick up—which wouldn’t have been signed. I learned that she was disappointed at having to order a copy since it was going to be a birthday present for her daughter, Amy—the very next day I believe!! I felt like a hero with that perfect timing!! 

The friendly woman, Dawn, asked if I wouldn’t mind taking a picture so we could remember this moment! Though I probably looked like a drowned rat from my long walk into the store, I was all too happy to oblige since I, too, wanted record of this my very first moment as a “recognized” author!! I will forever cherish this photo!!

All smiles with Dawn just truly making my day! Probably my year, even!!

The next great thing that happened was that my old alma mater, Pembroke Academy, soon learned of my book and invited me to come to the school library to speak with a class of students and be reunited with some of the old faculty! It was a terrific reunion, and I so appreciated my former creative writing teacher, Nate Graziano, coming down to see me (see photo below). Nate went on to interview me for his column in the Manchester Ink Link, which can be found here: Honoring Josie: Debut Novelist Takes a Deep Dive Into a Historic Local Crime

Eighteen years later, teacher and student are reunited!

This group of girls asked some great questions, and I was only too happy to discuss the real story with them!

Afterward, I then headed to Gibson’s Bookstore, who were seeking NINE more copies of my book!! I then shared my mini eighteen-year reunion at Pembroke Academy to the same Pembroke community page on Facebook, and let the community know that my book was back in stock in Concord. Once again, the outpouring was more than I could have ever hoped. Numerous people commented to say that they had recently snagged a copy from Gibson’s or that they were already reading it and loving it! 

On October 14, I was returning to Gibson’s Bookstore, desperately asking for FIFTEEN more copies since they couldn’t keep the book on the shelves, and they told me they were getting at least four calls a day from customers asking to have a signed copy held for them!! I would go on to sell over 200 copies of Malice Aforethought through Gibson's consignment program!!

Honestly, ALL of the success that I was seeing was due to the Pembroke community group who were doing a phenomenal job getting the word out and rushing out to purchase a copy, many of whom I'm still in close contact with to this day. I often quote myself in saying:

“Authors would be NOTHING without readers!” 

In a future blog post, I will share some memorable moments that occurred at various author events, including at Gibson's, and at local meet and greets. I also plan to share some of the gifts I've received from readers of my book!!

Until next time . . .