On Tuesday Secrets of Truth & Beauty was finally released. I went to visit it at my local Border’s, where the customer service people were so nice.

But, I could not just sit around and stare at my book — I had work to do! After Border’s, I went and gathered supplies to make chocolate goat cheese truffles and mini goat cheese cheesecakes for my launch party.

The launch party was the next night at RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth, NH. I grew up in that area, and it was great to have the event so close to “home.”

I could not believe who came. Many of my family, and friends, parents of friends. It was also great to see my high school advanced writing teacher, Kay Morgan. I wrote my first novel in her class, and she was a great teacher. The most important lesson she imparted was the value of active verbs. She came with the librarian from the high school, Mrs. Kentner, who very kindly gave me a copy of Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas. Thalia graduated from the same high school as I did, although we did not overlap.

Also in attendance, author Kate Racculia, whose debut novel This Must be the Spot was just purchased by Henry Holt for publication in Spring of 2010! Yay Kate! We were in a writing group together when I lived in Boston, and she was a reader of an early draft. Another author friend, Deva Fagan, who wrote Fortune’s Folly, also came. Here we are together:

I did my reading, answered some great questions, and then signed. It was very busy, and kind of went by in a blur, but I had a great time. People often ask when it felt real — when I really started to feel like an author — well, after the past couple of days, it’s finally seeming real.

Thank you to everyone who came or otherwise has supported me. Love to you all!

Originally published at Megan Frazer. You can comment here or there.