MY EVENING WITH JACQUELINE AND JASMINE
My parents will proudly tell you I have always been a good student. They never had to tell me to do my homework. They never worried if I studied for the test. If I got anything less than a perfect score, they never said a word — I was already obsessing about what I got wrong.
Even though my book’s not due to be published until July 2020, I’ve been assiduously studying how to be an author. I’ve been following writers and bookstores on Facebook and Instagram. I’ve joined a community of Bay Area-based writers, The Writers Grotto. And I’ve attended book readings to see and hear authors in person.
This past week, I went to a reading by Jacqueline Woodson, four-time National Book Award finalist, four-time Newbery Honor winner, and bestselling author of more than two dozen books — in short, a literary superstar — talking about her latest novel, Red at the Bone. Jacqueline was joined in conversation by Jasmine Guillory, NYT bestselling author of The Wedding Date, The Proposal, The Wedding Party and Royal Holiday. Like me, Jasmine is a Bay Area lawyer-turned-writer; unlike me, she has achieved enough success an an author to finally cut the legal cord.
Expecting a standing-room-only crowd, I made sure to get to the bookstore extra-early. I was relieved to see there were plenty of chairs open, and I settled into one in the second row. (As good a student as I was in school, I’ve never liked the front row. It always feels a little too Hermione Granger.)
As the minutes ticked by and the room remained less than half-full, I started to feel anxious for Jacqueline and Jasmine: will they be disappointed by the sparse attendance? And then I started to feel anxious for myself: if these two rock stars of publishing can’t fill a room, what chance will I have? (Audio cue: Empty Chairs at Empty Tables from Les Mis.)
Despite the small audience, Jacqueline and Jasmine couldn’t have been more delightful and engaging. Jacqueline told us her book’s short length meant every word was intended to be savored slowly, almost like poetry, and she enthralled us with her lyrical readings. Both Jacqueline and Jasmine entertained the audience’s questions — and yes, like Hermione, my arm shot up more than once — with grace and humor.
By the end of the evening, I felt like I had been given a gift — two, in fact.
First was the gift of these two authors’ time and attention. When they were talking, they really engaged with one another and with the audience. When I asked my questions, they listened to me attentively and responded with sincerity. Although they could have just “called it in,” they didn’t. They were fully present.
Second was the gift of realization — the realization that it doesn’t matter if the room is full. The reason I started writing is because I wanted to share my thoughts and words with others. I am now privileged to have that opportunity. Even if I’m only speaking to the bookstore staff as they dust the shelves, I will try to emulate the generosity that Jacqueline and Jasmine showed to the few — we lucky few — who trudged out to the Booksmith on a quiet Thursday night.
P.S. As I uploaded the photo to accompany this post, I laughed out loud at the book title in the background, right above How to Read Nancy. I wonder how many people attended their book readings?