Bushnell Unscripted for handmade, DIY, books, writing, pets, and vegan food
For less than a dollar, you can add a wonderful book to your favorite device, and visit the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. Act soon, for like the colorful leaves, this deal won’t last forever.
and that one doesn’t get ya…
I just wanted to post a big “Thank You” to the gang at The Last Word in Charlotte, North Carolina. They hosted me for a book signing on October 10, 2015 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, and I had a great time. If you are looking for a great bookstore, check them out when you are in Charlotte. Stay tuned to their website, as they are getting some new digs in a few weeks!
Here are a few photos from the event, and I want to say a special “Hello!” to Jeannie from New York. I love meeting another Jeannie, and I hope you love the story of Kirby and Sage.
Here I am at my festive fall table for Manual Exposure. I made some vegan caramelized onion dip to eat on “leaves” of Healthfull seeds and nuts bread.
You never know when I might bring food to an event!
I love being accessible to my readers and meeting them at book signings. I appreciate each and every person who stops by my table.
and finally, I had to get a photo with the infamous “Frankie” at the store.
Friendship is just another word for sisters between Fritzi Stanton and Sage Brant. Best friends since the fourth grade, the girls are college freshmen and ready to take on the world. Their friendship has been tested, and it has endured. Love and heartache may come and go, but their friendship is forever.
[typography font=”Lobster” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Fall[/typography] at MSU Asheville is in full swing, and as the season unfolds, the opportunities for new relationships, growth, and love surround the inhabitants of the cozy mountain town. As the colors of the forest emerge and the canopies thin, the change of season in Asheville is an event to behold. An accidental meeting among the fallen leaves intertwines the lives of Sage Brant and Kirby Chapman.
[typography font=”Lobster” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Kirby Chapman[/typography] doesn’t sweat the small stuff. In his world of wealth and privilege, there aren’t many things that cause him to sweat. The only tension that raises the pulse to that extent is a little friendly competition on the disc golf course. He doesn’t spend his afternoons worried about his future plans. Generations of his family have cleared the path that he intends to follow. Why break with tradition and a system that works? Rewards come easy to Kirby and his family. Comfortable in his life, Kirby isn’t concerned with making any major changes that could alter his desired future.
I’ve sold eBook and paperback copies of Manual Exposure, but until the Bookmarks Festival of Authors and Books, my book has never been available for purchase at a local venue where any member of the public could pick up the book, flip through the pages, and feel the weight of my words in their hands. As a child and teenager, I attended book festivals and dreamed of the day I would see my book offered to interested readers. Thanks to the local Charlotte chapter of the Women’s National Book Association, I was able to reach that important milestone.
Fellow members of the local WNBA traveled to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to promote both the organization and member authors at the festival. The volunteers set up a lovely booth that featured published works from the members of the organization. Can you spot Manual Exposure on the table?
Between you and me, I would have happily stayed and watched the people come and go from the booth all day. I enjoy watching them scan the books and pick up the titles that intrigue them. I closely watch their reactions as they read the cover of the book and make a momentary judgement as to whether or not that specific title is destined to go home with them. I am frequently that reader, but I’ve never seen anyone do that with my book, and frankly, I can’t imagine ever growing tired of watching that dance.
I’m a new WNBA member, and I’m so glad to see the local chapter working to expand the name recognition for both the organization and the members. It takes time, money, and a great deal of energy to make it to an event like Bookmarks, and I appreciate the efforts and challenges the volunteers faced during the day. The calendar may have rolled forward to September, but this festival day was hot and humid. The volunteers always had a sweet smile and greeting ready for all who stepped up to the booth, and I can’t thank them enough for the work they did.
I really didn’t anticipate that I would sell any books at the festival. Aside from the big names that drew the crowd to the event, there were hundreds of titles waiting to be gobbled up by excited readers. Just having my book available for purchase was a big deal to me. I am the type of person who celebrates the little moments that others tend to overlook or downplay. When Manual Exposure went live as an eBook, my eyes were filled with tears. I felt the same giddiness when I saw my book on that table at the festival as I did when I hit publish on Amazon. Every step of this journey is a dream come true, and I don’t intend on ever forgetting it or ignoring how it makes me feel.
“Shut up!” were the first words out of my mouth when I checked back at the booth during a mid-day break. The volunteers told me that I had sold a book, and I couldn’t have been more excited and shocked if they had told me I had won a lottery jackpot. This was my jackpot. They explained that the woman had liked my cover and thought the summary sounded interesting. She loved that I’d signed the book, too.
Just as they were telling me the news, the woman who purchased the book returned to the booth and I was introduced as the author of her new book purchase. Seriously, that alone was enough to make me want to squeal.
She said that the cover of my book was beautiful and the photograph just drew her in. As a photographer, the title and photograph on the cover were big pulls for her. I desperately tried to not burst into tears. I took the cover photograph in Asheville, North Carolina, during the peak of the fall season of 2011. My husband and I had driven our beloved dog, Grandbury, on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Grandbury had such a wonderful day in the sun as he watched the landscape swirl around him. I’m so thankful that I captured that beautiful day and moment. Later that day, Grandbury would have the first of many seizures that indicated the likelihood of a brain tumor.
If it isn’t clear, my love for Asheville runs deep and in every pore of my being. To see someone connect with a photo that I took, a photo that is washed in memories and love, a photo that represents Asheville to me, means the world to me.
Her excitement about reading a book by some unknown author tickles me to no end. I’ve been that reader. I’ve been drawn to a book and purchased it for no other reason than liking the cover or book synopsis. Except now, the book that drew someone in and prompted them to take a gamble with their time and money–is mine. My book, my words, and ultimately me.
I’ll admit that I am not a cool author. I walked to the next discussion panel with tears in my eyes and the goofiest grin on my face. That reader will never know what her purchase meant to me, and I hope that she isn’t disappointed and loves my story and characters. Because of her, I ached to go home and get back to work on my second novel. Seeing a person connect with my book on a personal level is the most addictive part of being a writer. Knowing that I have had an impact on someone as so many authors have had on me is almost impossible to perceive.
You’ve been warned. I’m not a cool author. I may appear shy at your praise because I’m afraid if I open my mouth I may howl with tears of joy. I’ll try to get better; but never doubt that sweet words from a reader go straight to my heart and inspire me to return to the page. I never want to be so cool that I ever forget this feeling and what it means to connect with my readers. I always dreamed of it, but as a child who grew up in many trailer parks, I never knew if I’d ever get to see someone point to my book, choose it over the other selections, and take it home as a new treasure they had discovered.
I’ve now seen that happen in my lifetime. To other writers, young and old, I hope you dare to dream that for yourself. The time it takes to get to that moment doesn’t matter. I just want you to know that it can happen. No matter your circumstance, I encourage you to dream that your work and words will and do matter. The key is never to forget that this is what you wanted and to recognize the moment when it happens. Should a moment like this ever fail to impress you or mean something to you, for your sake and that of the readers, I hope you put the pen down.
As for me, I’m writing. I am uncool and greedy. I want to experience that moment again and again.
Sincerely,
The most uncool author you know-
Jeannie M. Bushnell
Looking for something to do this weekend? Come out to the Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
You can purchase a signed copy of my book, Manual Exposure, at the Women’s National Book Association festival booth!
The schedule is packed with some great authors and discussion panels! I’m especially looking forward to the discussion about publishing across multiple platforms.
If you can’t make it out, you can check back here for my wrap-up.
When: September 6, 2014
Where: Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and Spruce Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Cost: FREE
Ages: ALL
Image credit: Bookmarksnc.org
[typography font=”Dancing Script” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Sage Brant[/typography] sees the world through her camera lens. She focuses on the things that matter to her: family, nature, and Asheville, North Carolina. She doesn’t have time for anyone or anything that may derail her future career plans. Sage is not your average college student. When she isn’t in school, Sage can be found working, visiting with her family and best friend, and pursuing her passion for photography. She isn’t giggling over cute college boys, and she isn’t searching for love.
[typography font=”Cherry Cream Soda” size=”21″ size_format=”px”][typography font=”Cherry Cream Soda” size=”20″ size_format=”px”]Mountaintop State University Students: [/typography]
[typography font=”Cherry Cream Soda” size=”20″ size_format=”px”]It’s Time to Come Back to Class![/typography]
Sage Brant and Kirby Chapman are students at Mountaintop State University in Asheville, North Carolina. Their story begins at the start of the fall semester. The entire book spans the semester term.
Starting September 1, 2014, I’ll begin posting new snippets from the book. I hope you enjoy this fresh look into the story of Sage and Kirby. See you on campus at MSU!
Continuing with my series of reader reviews with my original photographs, I’d like to highlight a 5 star review written by Melissa Ann for Manual Exposure. For those who haven’t read Manual Exposure, I believe this review provides great insight into the book.
I receive a number of questions wondering about the level of sex in my book. Melissa says, “I consider the book to be quite steamy without being too much. It isn’t erotica, but it also isn’t innocent. Intelligent and sexy, you need to read this book!”
I love that! Yes, there is some sexual content in my book—I do not fade to black. I can’t decide for you if there is too little or too much sexual detail, as every reader as their own personal preferences. I feel I’ve tackled the scenes honestly, and I want you experience the passion between my characters.
Thank you for a beautiful review, Melissa! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the book and took the time to leave such a compelling review.
This photograph was taken at Reedy Creek Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Check out this sunset photograph and another reader review of Manual Exposure!
