First published book

In case you wonder what a book launch has to do with Toastmasters, it’s this. We take what we learn in Toastmasters to our life, our profession, and our chosen vocations. As Marj said to me earlier, “Toastmasters is like soccer practice, getting ready for the big game.”

Life is the big game, that’s what we prepare ourselves for in Toastmasters. For me it was communicating in my business and my personal life. For me, it was also gaining leadership experience. Here’s how it played out that day in July 2011 at my first book launch.

I asked my friend and fellow Toastmaster, Doris Tuckett, to be my emcee for the launch. I asked another friend, Wilma Marie, to help with book sales. I contacted family and friends and invited them to join me for the launch. And I invited folks from my church to come and be there with me.

the art for my book

I also made sure that my artist friend, Deborah Pryce, could be there to help me celebrate, to give her recognition for her work. Unfortunately, my editor, Susan Deefholts, was unable to take time away from her law school studies, but she was there in spirit, that I knew.

I was excited, and I will admit a little nervous, but I remembered I was among friends and family and was finally able to relax and enjoy the event. It had helped being in Toastmasters, getting up in front of people and speaking, in communicating well with my audience. It was celebration of an accomplishment—writing a book, going through the process of rewriting, revising and editing of my work. Then the publication process that Richard at Hidden Brook guided me through. And finally the printed book. When it arrived, it brought all that work to fruition. It was only then that I planned a summer launch.

My family supported me well that day. Mom ordered a fruit tray, someone brought a bouquet of flowers, a fellow writer, Diana, and also member of The Word Guild, showed up and helped prepare the lemonade we’d serve, and someone in my family brought a large plate of cookies.

And friends were there too, supporting my efforts, buying my book and celebrating with me. That meant so much too.

with sandbox, inspired by fellow writer Elaine Ingalls Hogg

I remember my opening when I got up to read, “This is surreal.” My Mom, Dad and three of my four sisters were there. My brother was in Calgary and was likely remembering the day. I read pieces from my book, one of them about Kim and her pets that caused people to laugh. I think I embarrassed my family a little when I asked them to stand to be acknowledged—the subjects of many of the stories in the book.

speaking at my book launch

A launch is not the end of the book journey though, it’s really only the beginning of more opportunities to meet people and tell them why I write and what I write about. And the beginning of more books to come. More opportunities to promote and share my stories with a wider public audience that began with mainly family and friends.

Deb with her piece of art at the Uptown Gallery in Waterloo