My Favorite Book Signing Event: Alex George, Author of A GOOD AMERICAN (And Giveaway!)
I have a new favorite book signing event. Alex George, author of A Good American, came to town last Thursday night and it will forever be one I will treasure forever. Rainy Day Books brought the English bred, Midwest stranded transplant author to town to discuss his new book. Vivien does a wonderful job with her events because she conducts interviews rather than has readings, which I prefer. This format gives readers a great behind the scenes view of the author’s journey to publication and the book’s inspiration.
Speaking of inspiration, Alex’s came from his own descendants. His great-great grandparents eloped and fled England for New Zealand and many years later, his mother left New Zealand to live in England. His own journey to America provided him with first-hand knowledge of what it feels like to be an outsider. As soon as Alex begins to speak, he gets the “you ain’t from around these part, are ya?” look. Being an outsider is a universal theme most people can relate to and that was his way of “writing what you know.”
Music is a huge part of A Good American and that is no surprise after learning Alex is a huge fan of jazz music. The backdrop of New Orleans is where the main characters Fredrick and Jette land upon coming to America, not chosen by accident. Alex told the audience that immigrants coming to America via New York was a bit cliché so he thought of something different. I have just begun reading the story but here is how the characters “decided” on New Orleans:
Fredrick approached the ticket booth clutching a fistful of notes. He pointed to the waiting ship. “Are there still tickets available for that ship?” he asked.
The clerk nodded. “We have some for the third-class cabin.”
“And it’s headed for New York?”
“The Copernicus? No sir. It’s going south. New Orleans, Louisiana.”
Frederick frowned. “That’s in America? The United States?”
“Of course,” answered the clerk.
Frederick was doubtful. “I’ve never heard of it.”
Jette squeezed his arm. “New York, New Orleans, what’s the difference? They’re both New. That’s good enough.”
Love it!
Being an immigrant himself, Alex wanted to tell the story of an outsider, a universal theme most people can relate to. It took him five years to write the story since he was working full-time as a lawyer, having to rise early in the morning to pound out some words before heading off to the job that paid the bills. He had already published a couple of books in the UK, so he sent the finished manuscript to his agent in London as well as Emma Sweeney, his agent in the United States. The rejections came back one after another, including one from Amy Einhorn saying she loved the first two-thirds but after that, eh. If you don’t know, Amy Einhorn Books is an imprint of Penguin and carries some heavy weight. She joined Penguin and the first title she published was the bestseller, The Help. This feedback was HUGE! So he rewrote, actually put an ending in that he had already written in his head, and resubmitted to her. He waited, and waited, and waited some more. He ended up at a party for another writer friend in New York and Amy was also there. She sort of remembered him and said she would read his resubmitted novel. This is a two-fold phenomenon (or is that phenomena?-eh, whatever), folks. One, she sort of remembered him which wasn’t a lie. Two, she said she would read his novel and she did. THAT is a publishing miracle.
One of my favorite quotes from him was “Wear your research lightly.” Just because you have read three tomes about corn yields doesn’t mean your readers need to know it, too. He also said something so perfectly in relation to writing historical fiction. I wish I had written it down word for word but essentially he said he had to be careful when laying down his story’s tapestry atop the landscape of history. We have to respect the facts yet figure out a way to weave our story in with it. What a perfect way to describe writing historical fiction.
After the interview, I purposely got in the back of the line to have my book signed. Because it felt like we were old pals, I gave him a huge hug, thrilled beyond belief to finally meet him. We have been Twitter friends for a while-
whomever introduced us, thank you!-and it was surreal to talk in person. I stuck around afterward, totally feeling like a groupie, and chatted with Roger from Rainy Day while Alex finished up official author business with Vivien. We went for a bite to eat and talked about writing, family, Twitter (we gushed about all of you) and had a ball. It was wonderful, enlightening, and just like talking to an old friend. Alex in person is like he is online: gracious, charming, funny, and humble.
If you get the chance, please, PLEASE go see him. From what I have heard so far, the book will make you laugh and cry, which happen to be my requirements for a great book. The reviews have been fantastic and People Magazine will be publishing theirs any day now. Google his name and you will find great interviews and write-ups all over.
You can find Alex on Facebook, on Twitter (@AlexGeorge) and through his web site: AlexGeorgebooks.com
Because I want you all to read this book very badly, I am giving away a signed copy of his book. I will send you one directly from Rainy Day Books, my local independent bookstore. All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog, retweet the link to this post, or share it on Facebook. You will get an entry in the drawing for each one. Drawing ends at midnight CST on Thursday, March 1st. I will announce the winner on Friday’s post!
While you’re at it, wish Alex a happy birthday! Today is his birthday!
Cheerio!
Hallie
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I'm a midwest gal living vicariously through books, writing, her crazy family, and a few great friends. My blog covers all of the above as I attempt to figure out what the hell I'm doing at any given moment. Follow me:
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You are so wonderful to share this with all of us–you know we were there with you in spirit, my dear! And that picture of you two is the best (YOU are quite swoon-worthy yourself, by the way, Hallie dear!)
It has been such a joy getting to know Alex through Twitter, and reading A GOOD AMERICAN was every bit as poignant and tender and gorgeous as I knew it would be.
Erika, dear…you must have your eyes checked. I am about as photogenic as a toad. I look like a royal twit in the picture but I had to take a picture of us for you guys.
Perhaps it was you that introduced me to Alex, I have no idea. All I know is that I am truly grateful. To hang out afterward and talk was such a wonderful gift. I hope you get the chance to meet him someday as well!
XO, Hallie
I came over from twitter and just want to say I love this post, and I’m incredibly jealous you had this time with Alex George!! I have been talking to him on twitter for a while too, and loved A Good American. He is such an engaging person, with such a gift!!
No need to enter me in the drawing, just wanted to say hi!!
Thank you, Anita! I am so glad you stopped over and thank you for the kind words. I truly hope you get to see him in person one day because he is so, so awesome! Truly a gentleman. I love hearing about the story behind the story and he told his so perfectly, dotted with wit and charm!
Thanks again for the visit!
What a fabulous review of this event, Hallie. That you waited at the back of the line in order to get more time to talk with the author is not the sign of a groupie, it’s that of a journalist! Good job on getting “the story,” and thanks so much for sharing it with us. This book has been on my “to read” list for months. Can’t wait to read it.
Jessica, I think I was actually just being selfish. Alex was a good sport by letting me drag him off afterward. I’m sure Vivien and Roger are thinking about adding security to their signings from here on out.
That sounds like such an amazing evening, Hallie! I was smiling as I read this because it felt very similar to my evening with Sere Prince Halverson…it’s especially a nice treat to take some time to chat afterwards and realize that it feels like you already know each other, because in many ways you do!
I’m going to keep my eyes on Alex’s tour dates and hope that he makes his way to Austin at some point
Can’t wait to read this book.
I know! I saw your author signing-how cool! After reading your posts about Seré, I can’t wait to read her book as well. Twitter is the coolest thing ever. Actually, writers are cool, Twitter just lets us know “how” cool.
“Wear your research lightly.”
I love that piece of advice.
And, I know what it feels like to be standing around an author like a groupie
I’m glad you had a fun evening. Thanks for offering the giveaway!
I know! It’s perfect, isn’t it? I couldn’t write fast enough. I think I need a tape recorder next time to catch all the brilliance.
Yay! I’ve been waiting for your account of this event (especially after you hinted on Twitter that you’d had such a great time. I figured a dinner/drinks gathering might have been involved). For the record: I’m still jealous
. Sounds like a wonderful evening, and I’m SO glad you were able to spend time with Alex. Dee-lightful.
And I love his insight about the research-wearing. It’s so tempting, isn’t it, to want to put all those details in. But alas, we must spare our readers!
Hallie–Thanks so much for sharing this with us and allowing us to live vicariously through you, and I love seeing two of my favorite tweeps in a picture together. I’m hoping Alex is able to get to the East Coast at some point on his travels. I have read A GOOD AMERICAN so I won’t be greedy and enter the contest. I can assure you that it is every bit as wonderful as the reviewers are saying.
Hi, E! I told him that I had to take a picture of us for all my girls that wanted to be here with me. We talked about all of you and how much we love our Twitter family. Is it possible to become a book-signing groupie? I may have started something.
It was great to see you and Sarah together in her book-signing pictures, too!
What a wonderful event, Hallie. Gorgeous pictures and a wonderful And congrats over and again to Alex, always such a class act. This book is top of my list!
I’ve been hearing nothing but good things about Alex’s novel. I can’t wait to read it. What fun for you to get to meet him, Hallie. Thanks so much for sharing!
Although I am not a writer, I am never one to pass on an opportunity for a free book! I have heard great things about this novel. Thanks, because of you I have a never ending list of books “to-read” ( and I am never usually disappointed).
Hi Debbie! This blog is for anyone who is willing to read it: writers, book lovers, friends, family, people who speak mostly English, and those who don’t mind a cuss word here and there. But no children, this is where I come to escape mine. You fall into one of these categories so please visit more often.
I’ve been planning on purchasing this at my local bookstore (Nicola’s in Ann Arbor), but I would totally not object to a free copy.
So excited to read this, regardless—Alex is a dear and I have no doubt he’s every bit as talented as everyone has said!
Hi Camille!! If you win, I could get you one from your local store but then it wouldn’t be signed. I have just started but from what I can tell, Alex has woven his great sense of humor in this story. I am so, so glad you stopped by. XO
Have a very Happy Birthday, Alex!!!
We moved to a state without knowing anyone in it and the culture is different but it would be so much more challenging to move to the USA without knowing any English. I would really love to read this book that touches on so many emotions!
I shared on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1802916392#!/
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Carol, thank you so much for stopping by. We have all felt like an outsider at one time or another. Alex’s book should be a great one for you to relate to at some level! Thanks so much for the comment and good luck on the drawing!
Here we go book #3
I’ve been hearing about this book and really want to read it. What a wonderful event! You’re so lucky to have that bookstore in your area.
I love immigrant stories and have heard such great things about this book – I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for sharing the event with us and for hosting the giveaway.
So fun! Yes, book signings and book events are extra fun in a Twitter world where we get to “know” the authors first. I can’t wait to read Alex’s book. Don’t put me in the drawing though because I won a copy from Julia already!
Thank you so much for sharing the behind-the-scenes take on Alex George’s journey to publication, Hallie, and what a unique journey it was. How wonderful that you got to meet him in person!