The first signing for "Schlussel's Woman" has to be judged a success.

It was held, in conjuction with two other local authors, at Books Etc. and all three of us had steady sales through the period. In addition to sales, there was good conversation among ourselves and with the customers and Don and Karen, the owners, provided coffee and refreshments and good Irish music (belatedly for St. Patrick's Day) played in the background.

This was the first day of spring and the weather was seasonably lovely after a week that was chilly and brought two more snowfalls.

One unanticipated surprise occurred during the event. Karen told me I had a phone call and I couldn't imagine who it might be since my daughter and son-in-law had just left and my son was in Maryland. The call was from a man I hadn't seen since grade school. His brother had notified him of the article about my book that had been in the paper, and he called to order a signed copy. Since he doesn't live too far away, we agreed to get together sometime later.

It's amazing what a little publicity can generate. Last week, as a result of the article, I made the acquaintance of a second or third cousin I didn't know who also bought a book.