A lot of my favorite people live in Austria. About 6 years ago a last-minute change in plans led me to encounter a group of people who have become lifelong friends. In 2021, after 1 year of lockdown and earth-shattering losses, I got a message from my friend in Vienna. He invited me and a few friends to his big birthday bash in the Austrian Alps. I could not have said yes faster. A year and a half of lockdown, and 2k in travel credits from a canceled European trip from 2020. I couldn’t wait to go anywhere, let alone Austria with my friends! We quickly started planning the next Austrian adventure when my talent manager got the idea to contact a few English bookstores in Austria and see if any of them wanted me to swing by and sign books. We got connected to The English Center in Salzburg, Austria. The owner, Gabrielle, graciously invited me to have a meet and greet book signing at the English language bookstore and learning center!
I had a blast meeting Gabrielle, and learning about how much we have in common. She lived in Southern California for years, we’re both Redlands alumni! It was wonderful meeting friends and patrons of The English Center. Books are a love language. They are a massive connector of people regardless of their age and their culture. even if you don’t speak the same language, if you have the same favorite books in common, you feel a special connection to each other. The event was small and informal and plans were made to have a formal event with their book club in April 2022.
Fast Forward to 2022
The world was paralyzed with fear when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. A warzone was 250 miles from Vienna. I weighed the options and continuously followed the war coverage. Until 1 month prior to my trip, I made the difficult decision that it was in everyone’s best interest to not go to Austria. I didn’t want readers to spend their time and money to meet me, and risk having the war escalate and me not be allowed to go to Austria. But a good by product of covid is that the world is more connected digitally now more than ever. I certainly didn’t know what zoom was before 2020. Luckily, I was still able to join the English Center book club meeting over zoom and share about my story, New Orleans, Mardi Gras, and my own inspirations for the book. I was also able to get ideas for the sequel! I will forever be grateful to Gabrielle and her amazing work at the English Center and I encourage anyone traveling through Salzburg to visit them. It was a very good day.
Author Tip: Don’t be afraid to reach out to bookstores and offer to swing by and sign books, you never know who will say yes and what friendships will form from it.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
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