When Miranda’s debut novel “Back to You” become first published closing March, she had already decided against doing book signings, fearing she changed into unsuited to promote her book — and to a larger quantity herself.
But as she stared at the e-mail on her telephone at the same time as sitting at a prevent light in early May, Miranda knew an e-book signing at the kingdom’s largest bookselling company could best assist get the word out on her debut novel.
With that concept in thoughts, the timid creator determined to come out of her shell.
After Saturday, she’s happy she did.
C.J. Miranda, the pen call for Denham Springs native Chelsea Jagot, changed into the featured writer at a book signing at the Barnes & Noble in Citiplace in Baton Rouge on Saturday, July 15.
For two hours from 2-four p.M., Miranda was stationed in the back of a desk on the second one ground, wherein she shook off her nerves and fortuitously signed copies of “Back to You,” posed for photographs, exceeded out in my opinion-made bookmarks and chatted with readers.
She even added the homemade chocolate chip and sugar cookies, which she presented to everyone who came up to the desk.
“I nevertheless can’t accept as true with this has occurred,” Miranda stated moments earlier than signing the first reproduction.
The 2011 Denham Springs High School graduate has had plenty of time to get herself psyched up for the book signing.
Patricia Kisamore, the community enterprise improvement manager at the Barnes & Noble branch, contacted Miranda approximately possible to have the younger writer look quickly after reading a local news article that becomes posted about her remaining April.
Despite Miranda’s preliminary aversion to the concept, she fast found out the blessings it may have on her debut novel — now not to mention her aspiring profession as a novelist.
She excitedly sent her mum a screenshot of the email detailing the book signing seconds after agreeing to do it.
Two months after you emailed, Miranda was at Barnes & Noble, including her signature to the other a hundred and ten,000 words in her 367-page e-book.
“Thank you a lot for stopping employing,” Miranda gratefully said to an older gentleman who bought a signed reproduction of “Back to You.”
Several humans got here to look at Miranda and purchase a copy of her e-book that tells the tale of recent university graduate Iris Tilley’s go back to her small homeland, which changed into part stimulated through Miranda’s enjoy of Denham Springs.
Miranda’s mum got to the e-book signing early. She was there the complete time, as well as different family members and of her closest friends, Brittany Jahnke and Breana Rogers. Their surprising arrival jolted Miranda excitedly out of her seat.
Her mum, Sherri Jagot, had waited for this day ever because she was given the text message approximately it from her Miranda, who had additionally brought happy-confronted emoticons to the display screenshot.
Like her daughter, Jagot felt the nerves as she drove as much as Barnes & Noble, wondering whether or not humans might show up.
But the emotions kicked up a notch while she walked thru the entrance and become greeted by a signal that examines: “C.J. Miranda, writer signing.”
“When I walked in the door and noticed the signal, I just thought, ‘Oh My gosh,’” stated Jagot. “This has all been loopy, just seeing how an awful lot has popped out of it. It’s very surreal and tough to wrap your mind around it.”
For Jagot, the e-book signing becomes the “icing on the cake,” a second that seemed to legitimize her daughter’s hopes of becoming a complete-time writer.
But for now, she isn’t too worried about that — she needs her daughter to revel at this moment.
“For me, it became about her achieving her dream,” Jagot stated. “Even if nobody ever offered the e-book, she achieved a chief intention she’s had for so long as I can consider, and you can in no way take that far from her.
“She’s obtainable now.”
So is her daughter’s debut novel, which’s now to be had in paperback at the Barnes & Noble in Citiplace less than four months once you have published March 25. Until now, the book ought to simplest be found on Amazon and other online stores.
But the young creator is hoping to provide extra for e-book suppliers to sell.
Miranda, who writes simultaneously as also running full-time for an engineering consultant in Baton Rouge, presently has “some chapters completed” of what could be her second novel, though she will say for certain while it’ll be finished.
Right now, she’s combating something she hasn’t fought towards due to the fact her love for writing started — herself.
When she first started out writing, Miranda did it handiest for her own entertainment and pleasure, a manner for her to prepare her mind and get them out of her head.
She saved this ardor a secret for years, no longer even telling her mother till she becomes 16. For Miranda, the writing was her personal little international.
Then her book changed into posted, a momentous second that made her assume her dream could emerge as truth.
But now, there’s a far bigger target audience to delight — and now not to mention publishers.
“I used to write down just for myself and no one else, however now, I can’t appear to prevent thinking what the publishers and readers need,” Miranda said. “I’m trying too difficult for it to be best, which I comprehend it doesn’t want to be.
“It simply desires to make me happy because that’s all writing has ever performed for me.”
But Jagot is confident her oldest of 4 might be capable of discovering her writing groove again.
After all, she’s already seen her do it once.
“Putting your book out there is beginning your self up,” Jagot said. “You’re laying it all available and opening yourself up to a complaint as well as reward. I didn’t know if she may want to do this, so that’s what I’m most pleased with her for, simply putting herself available.
