Some things you need to know about problems we had during set-up for the event tonight.
The stray dog was a
royal pain. It made the rounds of our tables, walking under the tables, trying
to chew on the tablecloths, and nosing at our boxes and bags. It obviously knew
Fran was scared of him and kept going back to her table every time the rest of
us chased it away from ours. She jumped up on a bench twice when he got too
close, and a third time he chased her nearly to the bathroom. We all cheered
when Victoria called Parks and Recreation to complain and ask for help, because
after all, dogs aren't allowed out without leashes. Still, we had no idea if
anyone was coming in response to Victoria's phone call, since she could only
leave a message.
For the last 15 to 20
minutes before the event officially started and our guests showed up, we were
all scattered, checking our cars, changing our clothes, taking phone calls, and
walking in circles trying to get a better wireless signal. We were checking
social media for last-minute responses to our posts that the event was about to
begin and the "doors" were opening. As far as any of us knew, the
pavilion was never left without someone to watch our tables. Still, how could
we be sure? We had so much still to do, and we were kind of behind schedule
thanks to that dog. A few times we were busy anchoring things down, when the
breeze picked up and blew flyers and business cards off the tables.
Then with everything
else happening, I got an emergency phone call. Not something I wanted or needed
right then. Some of my writing friends
have been having trouble with people posting accusations that they stole other
people's stories, and trying to get them banned from Amazon and Goodreads and have
their reviews taken down from review sites. I was getting threats from people
who claimed some of my books were stolen, but they hadn't followed through yet.
Well, the phone call
was from an agent I have been trying to get interested in representing me for
about six months now. She had questions about these accusations. It turns out
these "trolls" have been contacting various agents, making their accusations.
She wanted to ask about several titles that were on the accusation list. No,
none of those titles were stolen -- they had been published years ago under
different titles. These idiots were accusing me of stealing MY OWN BOOKS,
making a few cosmetic changes, and then republishing under a new title.
Yeah, problem solved.
Sort of. I hope. We just won't know until she and the other agents being
targeted by these trolls take some serious actions of their own. Nice to know
we have some powerful people who want to shut up the trolls!
So yeah, I was kind
of distracted when I was busy with that phone call.
BUT -- not so
distracted that I didn't see Fran go running into the bathroom when that dang
stray dog showed up again. I was about halfway through the phone call, and
pacing back and forth in the parking lot by the bathroom, trying to keep the phone
signal strong, when she peered out and asked me something about the dog. I
wasn't sure what she was asking, but I didn't see it, so I tried to signal her
it was all clear, while trying to listen to the agent.
We were all
re-gathering in the pavilion when Christy's husband showed up to make a
"we're ready to get started" video, to post. That was when we
realized the camera was missing.
(REMEMBER: "Facts" presented during the mystery are not actual, real-life facts, but made up for the sake of the mystery.....)
WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? There's a mystery to be solved, with a PRIZE to be awarded Friday, May 6. Check this page on Facebook, and get to work!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/869333297800405
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