Deena While at Readers, Inc. in La Mesa, California is a prime example of why authors and illustrators love independent book store owners. Deena invited me to do a reading at her store during my trip to San Diego and I accepted.

Readers, Inc. is dedicated to children’s books and is situated in the old downtown section of La Mesa on a street lined with family-owned businesses. Deena and her staff are part of their community and regularly participate such events as the Farmers’ Market, Christmas celebrations and Oktoberfest. The store features a gorgeous mural hand painted by her mother-in-law of all the businesses that line La Mesa Boulevard in this downtown section. A model train track runs the perimeter of the store–a tribute to the train tracks practically outside Deena’s door (and a perfect backdrop to my book, Jingle the Brass). A menagerie of snakes and turtles keep children interested in more than just books!

From the moment I entered Readers, Inc., Deena welcomed with a beautifully decorated table of my books and friendly conversation. Deena is a publicist beyond compare–not only contacting her considerable database of clients, but publicizing the event in the newspaper, contacting radio stations, and writing a review of my newest book, Nugget on the Flight Deck, in East County Magazine.

If I could have one wish for all of my writer/illustrator friends, it would be to have a book signing like the one Deena delivered!