A Month of Firsts: From Libraries to My First Event Stall

October has been one of those months that reminds me exactly why I started this journey. Between library visits, new readers, and my very first event stall, it’s been busy, emotional, and completely worth it.

My visits to Corstorphine and Kirkliston Libraries were such lovely experiences — smaller, more personal events where I got to chat with readers who genuinely care about stories and the people behind them. The conversations ranged from writing routines to character choices, and I left each one feeling inspired and encouraged.

Then came the big milestone — my first ever book stall. I’ll admit, setting up that morning felt a little nerve-wracking, but once everything was in place (and the banner was straight!), the excitement took over. The day was filled with amazing conversations, laughter, and a steady stream of visitors. My borrowed little 100 Years of Books game (thanks again Secret Book Swap for that) turned out to be a real hit and made it so easy to chat with people as they browsed. I couldn't have done it witout my glamorous assistant (and beta reader) Valerie so thanks again for that. I also came away with plenty of ideas for what to tweak next time — and a suitcase that definitely needs upgrading before the next event!

I’m so grateful to everyone who stopped by, chatted, bought a book, or joined my mailing list. Hearing people say they'd like to take my books home with them was such a special moment — these are the things that make all the long writing nights worthwhile.

There’s so much more I can’t wait to share — including some behind-the-scenes reflections and a peek at what’s next for my Paula C. Russell Roadshow — so stay tuned and make sure you're signed up for my upcoming newsletter.

Until then, thank you for being part of this adventure. Here’s to many more events, libraries, and stories to come!