Hello Sweet Readers!
It’s June! Can you believe it?
Now, I know, normally I tell a story for my monthly blog post. But I thought this month I’d do something a little different. I’m gonna give you a bit of an update on me and I’m going to ask for your help. Ready?
This past January I started releasing my Flyboys series which is set on Sweet Briar Ranch near Sweet Water, North Dakota. It was the third series I’d written that is set in Sweet Water – I love it there, can you tell? : )
This month I will release the twelfth and final – almost – book in the series. I say “almost” because I’m going to write a bonus book that will only be available on Say with Jay. In case you don’t know, Say with Jay is the YouTube channel of my lifetime narrator, Jay Dyess. He has over seventy of my books performed and produced in audio and available for free for your listening pleasure! You can see them by series here: https://www.youtube.com/@SaywithJay
It’s a little sad for me to be wrapping things up in Sweet Water, since, for the rest of the year I’m going to be writing fun and sunny beach romances set in the lakeside town of Strawberry Sands, Michigan. I’m sure I’ll be heading back to Sweet Water sometime, next year, most likely.
In the meantime, the tenth book, Just a Cowboy’s Love Song releases tomorrow. The eleventh book, Just a Cowboy’s Lifetime Love releases in two weeks and two weeks after that, on June 30th, book 12, Just a Cowboy’s Dream Come True will release. Whew! I told you I had some news! : )
This series has been getting awesome reviews and I’d love for you to check it out.
In other news….
I’ll be joining many of the other fillies in Deadwood, South Dakota for Wild Bill Days and I’ll be at The Lodge on June 17th with a table filled with books. One of those books will be my contribution to the Pink Pistol Sisterhood series, Pistol Perfect. I’d love to see you and sign a copy for you, so if you’ll be in the area, please be sure to stop by and say hi!
Now, I grew up in Pennsylvania, but my family took a lot of driving vacations 
and I’ve been all over the US, including South Dakota where we saw the badlands and stopped at Mount Rushmore. But, to my knowledge, I’ve never been to Deadwood. I’ve also never been to a book signing, either as an attendee or as a signer.
and I’ve been all over the US, including South Dakota where we saw the badlands and stopped at Mount Rushmore. But, to my knowledge, I’ve never been to Deadwood. I’ve also never been to a book signing, either as an attendee or as a signer.Have you? If you have, or even if you haven’t, I would LOVE for you to give me your best advice! What do you expect from an author? What should I wear? What books should I bring? How many pounds of M&Ms will it take for me to make it through? I’m kinda kidding about that. Mostly.
Please comment below and tell me what I should expect. : )
Thanks so much for spending time with me today!
USA Today best-selling author Jessie Gussman writes sweet and inspirational romance from her farm in central Virginia. Having attended, but never graduating from the school of hard knocks, Jessie uses real life on the farm to inspire her cowboy, rural and blue-collar fiction.
When she’s not chasing kids, cows and the occasional roll-away haybale, Jessie enjoys wading in Naked Creek and not cleaning her house. Most of the time her main goal is to keep from catching herself on fire…again.
If you enjoy fun stories with vivid characters showcasing strong families with a ribbon of faith tying everything together, you might enjoy Jessie’s books.
What to wear? If it was me, I’d say dress in something you’re sure to be comfortable in. Who wants to gussied up in duds that leave you wishing you were somewhere else? If you have to talk to people, dress comfortably, but the colors can be pretty. Bring enough m&m’s to get you through a couple of hours & enough water (or Dr. Pepper) to go along with them! I wish I could come, but I live In Wyoming, & I don’t travel safely on my own. I did order the ebook, however, & can’t wait to read it!
Right! I need Dr. Pepper! GREAT idea. ; ) I’m sorry you can’t make it. I probably shouldn’t be allowed out on my own, either. ; ) Hope you enjoy the book!
I have been to many book signings.
Make sure you engage with each person as if you only came to se them. Ask them something personal, Ex: where they are from? Or What’s their fav book by you, Or ask about their family. Anything to make the person who came to see you, feel very special. All the book signing I’ve been too where the author acted Like they cared as much for me, as I did them, really have stuck with me.
Another words make them feel like part of your world and family. You’ll have the fan for a lifetime.
I say wear something comfortable.
Great advice. Thank you. I’m terrible at asking questions because I have a big fear of being too nosey. So, maybe I should put a list of questions together that are acceptable small talk? I know that’s terrible, but I’m awful at it. I have a tendency to love boring conversations about information. Thanks again for your wonderful advice!
I’ve been on both sides of the booth for book signings. Wear comfortable clothing that you like, and be yourself. I’ve never been to Deadwood, so I don’t know about the amounts you’ll need, but the hostess of their Facebook page does a good job of answering questions. By the way, I plan to join you in Deadwood this year as a participant. I’ve enjoyed many of your books and look forward to meeting you and the other fillies.
Oh! That’s great that you’ll be there! And thank you for the advice. Julia wants to dress me up and I want to wear a gunny sack. Maybe we can compromise. ; )
Congratulations on your first book signing.
Wear something comfortable but also nice–readers may want a photo.
If you can afford an extra rolling checked bag, I’d fill it with books. Easy to transport to a signing.
Oh. I hadn’t thought about photos. Thanks for that tip. And, yeah, I might end up checking another bag just for books. (Julia is going to be limited in her outfits! lol)
Congratulations on getting out there. Just be comfortable. Enjoy meeting your fans and let them get a few pics with you. It will give your fingers a rest from all the signing! Wish I could be there!
Haha! I hardly think there will be too many people who want me to sign books, but it’s a nice thought. I’m sorry you won’t be there – it’d be so nice to meet you, finally!
I too have never been, so I am no help – but this place is at the top of my bucket list!!
Ha! I hope you make it sometime! : )
Wow that is Awesome! Well, expect for readers to be wanting to ask you questions about your books and about your farm animals, it would be nice if you were to read a chapter from one of your books, now that would be really nice, for me it is Always so very nice when and author reads from her book, I really enjoy that. Wear something you are comfortable in but that looks decent. Have alot of fun my friend. God Bless you and have a great trip and a great time signing books.
Oh! That’s a great idea. I’m not sure there will be time for that, but something to tuck away for the future. Thanks!
Comfortable layered clothing (I always end up under airconditioner vents), unspillable drink container, snack/mints , signage for bathroom break.. Lots of tourism in area, Look at private tours for best time usage.. My suggestion is go to Custer & view Crazy Horse Monument.
Some kind of self spa for post signing.. bath bombs or just something to relax & self care.
But most of all…. enjoy the moment/experience.
Haha! I will probably end up under the ac as well – I get cold easily! Thanks for the tip about the layers. Actually, thanks for all the tips – sounds like you have a lot of experience. : )
Very comfortable shoes and at least a couple pounds of M&Ms. 🙂
That sounds about right. Now I just have to figure out how to keep my daughter from eating them. Or maybe I should just admit defeat and bring a pound for her. : )
Where whatever your comfortable in, just the nicer end of your comfy clothes. I’ve been to a couple author signings and I always enjoy having a few minutes to chat with the author and maybe get a picture. Try not ot be too nervous, if they’re there to have you sign a book chances are they already like you ?.
That’s a good point. No need to be nervous. When everyone says “comfortable” clothes, I think of my nightgown. I guess I should dress up a bit more? : )
My parents spent their Honeymoon at Mt. Rushmore. The man and his sons were still working on it, and took the time to explain that they hoped to carve the bodies of the presidents, also. And when they were through with that, they had plans to carve out the back of the mountain, and make a museum in it. That was a very long time ago, and my parents have been gone for some time now. but it is a great memory.
This will be a very exciting year for you, as a writer, and I will be cheering you on…every step of the way.
I will be sorry to see this latest series end, but Please…..Never stop going back to Sweet Water! I feel that I know each person there, and I want to keep in touch with all the friends I’ve made in your books!
What a neat memory! I always wondered about the bodies. And the idea of museum carved in the back is such a great plan!
Oh, I don’t think I could leave Sweet Water. I love it there! And I’m so glad you do two, my friend! : )
Jessie, just be yourself. I would wear something that you would wear to church. Make sure you have plenty of pens to sign your books. Be prepared for your fans to give you love and hugs. Just sit back and enjoy the time. I know you are an introvert, but try to have fun. I wish I lived closer. God bless you.
I put the Deadwood event on my conference and had convinced my husband we needed to go, but my daughter called and is headed to Germany a week later and wants me to come and be “nanny” to her daughter. Kind of hard to pass up time with my daughter and granddaughter and … Germany and the Netherlands. Too bad, I have wanted a Western author event featuring P&P authors and now have to miss it. Wish I could manage both.
I have been to a couple events. RomCon in Colorado Springs was my first and just the right size for it. I attended the last RT Booklovers Convention in Dallas May, 2015. It was huge and overwhelming. It was an awesome experience. I would love to go to another such event and Deadwood would have been perfect. Be yourself. Be friendly and spend a bit of time talking with readers. I went to a signing once by a very well known author. I bought her book (an expensive hardcover) and waited in line to have her sign it for my dad. She was abrupt and rude, acting bored to be there and having to s put up with us. I haven’t read any of her books since. Chocolate is always good to keep up your and your readers’ strength. Dress comfortably and a bit in keeping with the place and theme. New York City business suit and heels – no. Denim skirt and nice blouse would be fine. Nice but not fancy. There are often themed sessions and them dressing properly is more important. Most importantly, enjoy yourself. I am sure it will be a great group of people.
We have been to Deadwood many years ago. I would have loved to go back. There are things we didn’t get a chance to do. Maybe there will be another western author event.
Jessie, dress like a cowgirl and be comfortable. You will definitely fit into the Deadwood scene. It is a beautiful and relaxing place to visit as we (my husband and I) have visited this are a few times and love the old west vibes until you see all the casinos they put in which take away from the ambiance of Deadwood. It still is a beautiful place to visit. Enjoy.
I’ve been to one book signing. I got to meet Beverly Lewis there. It was fun to meet her in person and nice to talk with her. Have fun!