Over on Twitter first-time author @chelseabwrites was moved to write about her book signing which it’s fair to say didn’t go entirely to plan.
Only 2 people came to my author signing yesterday, so I was pretty bummed about it. Especially as 37 people responded “going” to the event. Kind of upset, honestly, and a little embarrassed.
We mention because the tweet prompted no end of fabulous replies from fellow authors, from very funny to immensely reassuring and everything in between.
And it made for such a lovely read we’ve rounded up some of the very best.
1.
I have sat lonely at a signing table many times only to have someone approach…and ask me where the bathroom is.
I was once invited to a crime writers’ festival. Colin Dexter was on at the same time. Only one person showed up for me. We chatted for a while and I told him how glad I was that he’d come. He said, “Actually I’m Ian Rankin and I was supposed to be introducing you.” @Beathhigh
I worked on my first book for 4 years. Six people came to the first reading. One person was someone I knew who foresaw the worst and brought 4 family members. The sixth person came in out of the rain. When you don’t know whether to laugh or cry, laugh. And congrats on your book.
We’ve all been there Chelsea. Truth is, unless you’re a “celebrity” author you’re lucky to get more than a few people at a signing. Usually I just sign some stock at the store and leave! Bit at least they’ll advertise the signed books. Good luck
Also, was once signing books and a woman came up with a john Grisham novel. When i pointed out it wasn’t written by me she asked if i was signing books or not! So i signed it with love from me and John Grisham….
I has to sit at a signing table once in Stansted Airport. For TWO HOURS. Nobody came to buy a book but a zillion people came to ask me their gate numbers. In the end I just memorised the gate numbers and helped them out. Do not be downhearted. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1 you wrote a book
2 you published a book
3 you were brave to do a book signing
4 you wrote a book!!!
5 it’s a really busy time of year
6 did I add that you wrote a book???
Don’t let it get to you.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/mtl-blog-writer-al-sciola-holding-a-sandwich-right-the-menu-at-the-costco-food-court.jpg?id=61234073&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=97%2C0%2C98%2C0"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/costco-wholesale" target="_blank">Costco</a> might be known for bulk deals and bargain groceries, but the food court is its own reward after a long haul through the aisles.</p><p>In a recent article, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/costco-cheaper-montreal-grocery-stores" target="_blank">MTL Blog</a> crunched the numbers to show just how much cheaper a basic grocery trip can be at Costco compared to <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-grocery-prices-quebec-stores" target="_blank">other Quebec chains</a>. And while the savings are real, plenty of shoppers make sure to stick around for the cheap eats.</p><p>Sure, the American store's Canadian menu is relatively bare-bones (especially when you compare it to the wild lineup of items available at U.S. locations), but every now and then, Costco Canada tosses shoppers a curveball.</p><p>That was the case this spring when the Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich made its return to food courts across the country, including right here in Quebec, the birthplace of the iconic deli staple.</p><p>Naturally, I had to try it.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIPLjtTgVve/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=6f735fd7-49c3-488b-a4a5-fd08f1812f63" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIPLjtTgVve/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=6f735fd7-49c3-488b-a4a5-fd08f1812f63" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>As someone who grew up in Montreal, smoked meat's always been part of the picture, especially from iconic spots like Schwartz's. I wouldn't call myself a purist, but I'd like to think I know what a decent sandwich should taste like. So when I saw Costco bring back its version, I figured I'd finally give it a shot.</p><p>In this review, we're keeping it simple: how does Costco's version hold up in terms of presentation, taste, and value? Let's dig in.</p><h2>The presentation</h2><p>Costco's food options usually fall into three categories: fast, cheap, and edible. Aesthetics are not really part of the deal, and that holds true for their smoked meat sandwich.</p><p>While the menu photo shows a neatly stacked creation piled high with thick slices of seasoned meat, what I got after a nearly 20-minute wait looked more like a sad, squished version of that. It came bare, and like anything else at Costco that needs condiments, you've got to add the mustard yourself from the nearby dispenser.</p> <p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"> <img alt="A smoked meat sandwich on a paper plate." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fdc8ed40ad02c83ab0864ed40b25f154" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="d8dde" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-smoked-meat-sandwich-on-a-paper-plate.jpg?id=61244258&width=980"/> <small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">It looks a lot like something you can whip up in your kitchen in under 5 minutes. </small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Al Sciola | MTL Blog</small></p> <p>The sandwich wasn't as hot as I would've liked, and there definitely wasn't as much meat as I expected. That said, the giant pickle on the side was a nice touch, giving the dish a bit more of a classic deli feel.</p><h2>The taste</h2><p>At the end of the day, I care more about how something tastes than how it looks, and this was, surprisingly, not bad.</p><p>While I know nobody's slow-smoking a giant brisket in the back of a Costco, the meat was juicy and flavourful. I was a bit surprised by the choice of bread. Given the warehouse's inventory, you'd think they'd go with classic rye, which is what smoked meat is almost always served on. But they instead opted for their signature 9-grain triangle bun. And to be honest, it worked. It held everything together better than the usual two slices of rye probably would.</p><p>Anyone who's eaten a proper smoked meat sandwich knows half the meat usually ends up falling out, but that wasn't the case here.</p><p>It's definitely not the best smoked meat I've ever had (Schwartz's still holds the crown), but it's far from the worst.</p><h2>The value</h2><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"> <img alt="Al Sciola visits the Costco food court. " class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="866ca1b5c561dba78d2f747803750ff1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="c0b5d" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/al-sciola-visits-the-costco-food-court.jpg?id=61244358&width=980"/> <small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">It's certainly not the best deal on the menu.</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Al Sciola | MTL Blog</small></p><p>At $7.99, Costco's smoked meat sandwich definitely costs more than the classics you usually grab at the food court. It's a big jump from their $1.50 hot dog and drink combo, or the $12.99 price tag for an entire pizza. Heck, even the fountain drinks are still just $0.99.</p><p>But when you compare it to what you'd pay for smoked meat around Montreal at places like Schwartz's or Dunn's — where a sandwich will run you $15 to $20 — it feels like a deal.</p><p>That said, you're not getting the same portion size or deli counter experience. There's less meat, no table service, and you're squeezing your own mustard from a nearby dispenser. Still, for under eight bucks, it holds up as a decent option if you've got a smoked meat craving and happen to be near a Costco.</p><p><em>The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.</em></p>
(@sheilaoflanagan) December 5, 2022
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