Welcome back to another bloghop, with #OpenBook. Here’s this week’s prompt.

Don’t forget to click the link to see what everyone else has to say on this week’s subject. It’s at the end of my post.

Are there any writing events you’d love to be part of?

If you had asked me this a few years ago, I’d have said anywhere that would have me.

Back then, I attended loads of things. I sold books, gave talks in libraries, did workshops. I had enough material to write a Worldbuilding textbook, which still sells now.

Then, something happened. It soured my view of the whole in-person thing. Now, I’d rather not appear in public. Because people have long memories.

It had all started so well, too. The event was in Exeter, a Sci-fi convention. I had a stall mixed in with gamers, comic-book sellers and general merchandisers. There were a couple of other people selling books, it had been well advertised, and we’d all agreed the event had the makings of a good day.

I sold a few books quite quickly. Mid-morning, I found myself talking to a group of about six or seven people at my stall about my way of world-building. Then I noticed one of the people who had bought a book coming towards us.

And she didn’t look happy.

“I want a refund,” she shouted. I swear the whole convention hall went silent. She waved my book in the air. “This is rubbish, and I want my money back.”

The group I was talking to all found other things to do. Everyone looked the other way. Should I argue with her? I didn’t know what to do. I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.

I gave her a full refund; she threw the book on my table and stomped away.

I could feel everyone’s gaze and knew that I was wasting my time by staying. My heart was no longer in it.

I packed up and went home. And I’ve not done an in-person appearance anywhere since.

In case I bump into her again.

Events, you can keep them.

What do you think about this week’s subject?

Let me know by leaving me a comment.

While you’re here, please click the InLinkz link to check out what my fellow writers have to say about this week’s topic.

I’ll be back with another post on Thursday. See you then. Meanwhile, have a great week.

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