The bookstore signing event is coming up on Saturday March 9th from 2-4 pm at the Dolphin Bookshop and Café, in Port Washington, on Long Island, and the promotional materials have been sent out (see below). Mom also made up her own poster, just for my book, and put it up around town. Fingers crossed there will be a good crowd and I won’t be too terrified.
“You’ll be okay, Mommy.”
Mom is doing an amazing job as my agent, calling around to get the bookstore signing in the first place, asking permission to put up posters, getting the local library to order a few copies, and talking the book up all over the place. I would like to think that this is the job she spent her whole life training for, but that might be a little bit narcissistic of me.
My expectation is that the bookstore event will be a lot of schmoozing and signing books, not a reading, but I marked out a few sections of the book to read, just in case. I have a lot of questions about how to sign the book, though. I assume it should be something more than just signing my name, and something less than a three page soliloquy, but I’m not sure where it should fall in that spectrum. A lot will probably depend on if the people who come to the event are strangers or people I already know.
I think I’ll be leaving Ellie at home this time, even though her presence would be a comfort to me, because Cricket needs her more than I do. I can’t even imagine the panic Cricket would be in if we all left without her. No amount of treats would make that bearable. When I imagined Ellie as an emotional support dog. I didn’t realize she would turn out to be Cricket’s Emotional support.
Cricket needs a lot of emotional support
I’m a little bit uncomfortable that the book signing event is on a Saturday, given that the book is called Yeshiva Girl and religious Jews don’t go to bookstores on the Sabbath, but then again, maybe this will be one more way to reach out to a new audience that wouldn’t ordinarily read about religious Jewish life. I haven’t met the other three authors, so that will also be something to look forward to, and maybe our very different audiences will cross over and provide each of us with new readers. We’ll see. Wish me luck!
“Good luck, Mommy!”
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my Amazon page and consider ordering the Kindle or Paperback version (or both!) of Yeshiva Girl. And if you feel called to write a review of the book on Amazon, or anywhere else, I’d be honored.
Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish girl on Long Island named Izzy (short for Isabel). Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes that it’s true. Izzy’s father decides to send her to an Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, as if she’s the one who needs to be fixed. Izzy, in pain, smart, funny, and looking for people she can trust, finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment.
rachelmankowitz 
Need to go back to check out your posts in details and get up to speed cos I’m always just buzzing to see the dogs you were worried might never find their way to you.
Honestly I feel emotionally invested and just love seeing those little balls of white fluff 🙂
Thank you!
How lovely to have a mother who can help with marketing! All best wishes for the event.
Thank you!
I’m wishing you all the best, Rachel! This is a great beginning. Your mom’s help is such a blessing. She’s an awesome mom. I’m also glad that Ellie will be supporting Cricket while you’re gone. We had a Spaniel, Alf, who tore up the couch the first time that he was left home alone. At least we’re loved! I’m so excited for you. Please give an update when you’re able. Sending hugs to all of you! My apologies that they don’t come with chicken treats!😊❤ Mary
Thank you! I get the feeling Ellie will be working hard that afternoon to keep Cricket calm.
Good luck and have a great time at your book signing!
Thank you!
Rachel, everything will be what it needs to be for you. I feel that strongly. And this,
“When I imagined Ellie as an emotional support dog. I didn’t realize she would turn out to be Cricket’s Emotional support.”
Yes, Elle’s her sister, that bond is a strong one. This is wise of you to leave them together. Good luck with the book signing!
Thank you! Ellie is growing into her job overtime and it seems to fit her.
You’re most welcome. She’s a cutie too.
Thank you!
Best of luck!
Thank you!
You will rock this event! I hope you have fun! 🙂
Thank you! I will do my best!
You’ll do fine. The book signings I’ve been to the authors usually ask who do they write it to, sign their name. The best one I ever went to I told was my birthday (it really was) & she wrote a nice note.
You’ll figure it out. 😊 cheers!
Thank you for the good advice!
Best of luck at the book signing! I hope you have a lot of fun and enjoy some good conversation.
Rachel- Good luck! I am certain things will go smoothly at your book signing event.
Thank you!
Welcome!
Exciting! Best of luck to you!
Thank you!
The book signing will go well. I know so for two reasons. First, Yeshiva Girl is a very good book. I finished it last week and was wowed. Second, you’ll be fine. I know this because you feel Cricket’s needs are more than your own. Obviously, you’re more confident than you think. Good luck!
Thank you so much!
Wishing you good luck. It’s the start of the rewards you deserve for your hard work.
Thank you so much!
How exciting!! I wish you all the best!!
Thank you so much!
Wow! What a great opportunity!
It is! Thank you!
I have been to several book signings and I am always the one tongue-tied thanking the author for being there in the first place. I’m excited for you, Rachel! Having three other authors there will, I think, be a huge help to quell your fears. And then you can come home and tell Cricket and Ellie all about it!
Thank you! I’m looking forward to telling the girls all about it.
Good luck Rachel, what an amazing opportunity – go get ‘em Tiger 😁
Thank you!
Those other two authors will be very jealous when you draw all that well-deserved attention. Assume that Mom will document the event with many photos that perhaps you’ll later share with us! Go girl!
Thank you! Mom is definitely planning to photograph everything, but I reserve the right to erase any unflattering pictures.
Good luck at the book signing! You could always save that sweet pic of Ellie on your phone and still be reminded of her calming presence. 🙂
That’s a great idea! Thank you!
I agree with loisajay that the customers/readers will probably be as nervous about meeting a “celebrity” as you are. Wrt signing, many will give you suggestions, but keep in mind that, if you become famous, signed copies will be more valuable with just your signature unless the person you’re signing it to is as famous as you are (or more); these are called “association copies.”
Fascinating! Thank you!
Why not take both of them? Nobody will be left out.
But quite a few people will go deaf.
Relax and be yourself.You are a wonderful human being, funny and talented..I wish for you the best and give your mom a hug for me. She is wonderful too!
Thank you so much!
You are welcome!
How lovely your mum (mom) is…and I wish you all the very best for your signing – how clever you.
Thank you!
Good luck Rachel, and have a blast.
Thank you!
You’re so lucky to have such a great Mom, as well as the girls, to support you! Very best of luck!
Thank you so much!
Wishing you the very best of luck xxx
Thank you!
Good luck!!
Thank you!
Good luck to you! Quite an accomplishment!
Thank you!
Good luck ! ❤
Thank you!
I hope it all turns out to be a great experience for you, Rachel. I think attracting non-Jewish customers on a Saturday is a good thing. I learned a great deal about an Orthodox life, from reading your excellent book!
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you so much!
Good luck with th signing event. You’ll do great.
Thank you!
Here’s wishing you a lot of luck. I thought the Sabbath was on Sunday?
Thank you! The Jewish Sabbath is on Saturday.
All the best your book signing is a huge success.
Thank you!
Love that your mom and the little ones are so involved. Will be a success. I know it.
Thank you! I hope you are right!
They’re just people, like you and me. If you seem nervous or screw up, they will be on your side. Speak heart to heart and you’ll be fine.
On the off chance that someone makes a judgmental remark — pity them — either they are usually nice and they feel bad that they stuck their foot in their mouth, or they are not usually nice and who would want to be them? (I am of the former category, so I know whereof I speak.)
Sounds like your mom is good at marketing — For me, marketing is only bearable when I am sharing about something I believe in and care about. Sounds like that is working in your mom’s favor too!
Pepito says:
“You can do this! You are a brave Aunt Rachel! Good girl!” (Actually, Pepito says: “can we go outside now? I know it’s snowing, but I think there is a fresh piece of squirrel poop I haven’t sniffed out yet…”)
Thank you! Cricket loves squirrel poop too!
Good luck with sales and your book signing. A friend once told me to watch my breath during an art opening. Helped a bit when I had to deal with the public.
Thank you, I think.
I cannot believe that you have gotten to a point where your anxiety has calmed down enough to even contemplate, much less actually go to, your own book signing. A great milestone. Get treats for you, your mom and the girls after the talk.
Thank you! I’m thinking chocolate for me.
Good plan.
Good luck with the book signing…… maybe adding the name of the person as you sign would give it a more personal touch? I had a signed trilogy of books I won in a competition, but on closer inspection, the signature looked liked a stamp as it was identical on all three books, no variance. As an ex banker, one of the things we looked out for on stolen travellers cheques was consistency in signatures, as nobody signs exactly the same twice.
Great ideas! Thank you!
Will be thinking of you on the 9th!
Thank you so much!
Sending you good luck from here in England. Have a great day.
Thank you!!!
Hello again Rachel,
I downloaded your book to my Kindle yesterday, and I’m loving everything I’ve read thus far, though I’m only on chapter nine! My very best to you and your Mom at the signing. And as those who’ve gone before say…just picture them all in their underwear if you’re really, really nervous and uncomfortable. I’m sure you’ll do perfectly fine! Kindest of thoughts.
Thank you so much!
I hope the book signing goes well for you! ❤ I know from personal experience how intimidating a book signing can be. Don't be discouraged if the turnout is not what you expected. There is alot of competition among new books. It can take awhile for a new author to gain a following.
My expectations are pretty low, but my hopes are high. Fingers crossed!
Enjoy your event! What about “Shalom! Rachel Mankowitz?” 🙂
Good idea! Thank you!
I need your mom for my agent, too!!
I’m afraid Pretty has lost interest in promoting my work – but good for your mom and good luck to you!! I hope you have fun and sell lots of books!
Oh I hope my Mom doesn’t get bored with it. Though Ellie might be trainable in this area.
I always ask who can I sign the book to and everyone happily says because sometimes they aren’t buying for themselves. Some folks already have the book and want you to sign their copy, which I love. And then some have very particular quirks about exactly how and where it must be signed, lol. I was a bit surprised but they have their reasons!
Best of luck, try to enjoy it as much as you can!
Thank you! I will try!
Best of luck. You’ll be wonderful! And the best part will be coming home to Ellie and Cricket.
Thank you!
All these years I never realized you were right in Long Island! If you ever do something in NJ, please email me and let me know. I’m at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com
I will! Thank you!
Have a wonderful time, this is so cool! Wish I was closer I am in Poughkeepsie New York so it’s a bit of a hike, but I’ll be there in spirit!
Thank you! The Facts of Life was set in Poughkeepsie!!!
It was ?! Oh my gosh I had no idea !!!
I loved that show!
The theme song popped in my head immediately haha love it !
What a right of passage for you Rachel. Keep in mind people will be asking for a signature because they have an interest in the author and the work. It’s fans that come to a book signing! I only wish I could be there so you could sign mine and I could sing your praises because it was a great book.
Thank you so much!!!
I was terrified before my first book signing, but it turned out to be great fun – and so will yours, because you have a great book to promote! All the best of luck.
Thank you so much!!!
great photos of the two dogs hope the signing is awesome
Thank you!!!