The Pleasant Pheasant Book Store was literally firing on all literary cylinders. Erik, the owner of this delightfully pleasant place, loved ringing up copy after copy for our gathering of fun folks. Hannah's Xtreme Lattes were flowing, and all in all? The afternoon was one for the books — pun intended.
Right next door, Morgan's Mill — Woodland's beloved independent coffee shop with its storied ambiance inside and out — brewed a signature creation just for us: Hannah's Xtreme Latte. Hannah was beyond psyched. So were Betsy and me.
Father and daughter, sitting side by side — signing books, sharing readings, and fielding a lively Q&A from a wonderfully receptive crowd — while Betsy held it all together as our rockstar greeter.
Chris's totally updated website
Thank you, Erik and the Pleasant Pheasant —you made it seamless, memorable, and a genuinely good time for everyone in the room.
The last time I set foot in one was probably last century. And I’m pretty sure I was only there because one of my kids had to go poo poo.
But becoming a writer has a way of expanding your world. Turns out, libraries host author events. And I’m an author—pinch me.
Here's something I love about libraries: they're not in it for the money. No cut of book sales, no table fees. They just want their community to have access to literature, the arts, and the people who make them. Readers meeting writers. Simple as that..
I reached out to the Davis Public Library. This one has a little extra meaning for us — Betsy grew up going there as a kid, and her parents still check out books regularly. It’s her library in the truest sense.
I sent my pitch and braced for the usual waiting game. But the reply came back fast — faster than I expected:
“Chris, yes — the Davis Library would love to have you.”
And just like that, we had a date at the library. And it was wonderful for all of us.
Chris's totally updated website
watching writers hold a room, and noticing how, when they nailed it, the audience lined up to buy their book afterward.
I’d presented at several California Writers Club branches over the past four years. But there was always one thing missing: I never had a book to sell.
This time I did.
The strategy was simple — deliver a talk worth remembering, earn their trust, and weave in a little marketing magic along the way. I screened the two-minute Touched by Hannah trailer film, brought my beautiful books — and my beautiful wife.
When the talk wrapped up, they bought.
— long before books, films, or social media, people gathered and told stories. Not just reciting facts, but making an audience feel something — laugh, cry, lean in, hold their breath.
I’ve done it three times on stage. Each time I’ve stepped up, something clicked. No slides. No screen. No script. Just you, a microphone, and ten minutes to take people somewhere.
And that afternoon, we took people somewhere.
Then we sold books, shook hands, and said our goodbyes — and Hannah, Betsy, and I headed to midtown for a fabulous dinner, capping the evening at Hannah's favorite ice cream parlor, Handel's. A perfect ending to an enriching family adventure.
This has been, and will continue to be, a passion project close to the hearts of our entire family.
We’re already mapping out the spring and summer legs of the tour, and I’ll be back soon with solid dates. We’re aiming for Sacramento and the South Bay Area — San Jose and Silicon Valley — approx. late April through August.
Stay tuned. The adventure continues.
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