Incident Reports

The DSM Book Festival felt different from my first signing in the best way possible. Less fear. More confidence. But somehow, even more surreal.

Walking into a full festival as an indie author and seeing my name listed alongside so many other writers was one of those moments that didn't fully feel real until I was standing there behind the table.

Throughout the event, readers stopped to ask about Nothing but a Speck of Light Left in the Dark, flipped through pages, discussed theories, and shared their love for psychological thrillers. Some attendees had already heard about the book through social media, while others discovered it for the first time at the festival.

One of my favorite parts of the day was getting to connect with other authors, readers, and creatives. Conversations that started over books quickly turned into genuine connections, encouragement, and support.

The atmosphere throughout the festival was incredible — crowded rooms, conversations about stories, stacks of books everywhere, and people who truly love reading and writing. It reminded me that indie authors really do belong in these spaces.

Seeing readers walk away carrying my book was still one of the strangest and most rewarding feelings imaginable.

This event also pushed me creatively and personally. Every signing teaches me something new — not just about marketing or networking, but about confidence, storytelling, and believing in the worlds I've created.

And somewhere between the conversations, signed copies, and long hours behind the table, it finally hit me:

This is only the beginning.

— A. Rose

What started as a local pop-up quickly became one of the most surreal moments of my author journey so far.

My first public signing was hosted alongside A Dash of Spice LLC's mobile bookshop at Reclaimed Rails Brewing Company, and honestly — I didn't know what to expect walking in. Anxiety? Definitely. Excitement? Absolutely. Sleep the night before? Questionable.

But seeing readers stop at the table, ask questions about the story, flip through pages, and genuinely connect with Nothing but a Speck of Light Left in the Dark made every stressful moment worth it.

Friends, coworkers, readers, and even people discovering the book for the very first time showed up to support me. Some came specifically for the signing. Others stumbled across the booth and stayed longer than they planned because they wanted to know more about Nick, Lucy, Clay, and the world hidden inside the pages.

One of the best parts of the day was hearing people say things like:

“This actually sounds really good.”

“I love psychological thrillers.”

“I need to know what happens.”

Moments like that stay with an indie author forever.

By the end of the event, multiple copies had found new homes, conversations had turned into connections, and what once existed only in my head was suddenly real — sitting in readers' hands.

This signing reminded me why I started writing in the first place.

And it definitely won't be the last incident report added to this file.

— A. Rose

I have two book signing events coming up.

My first one is this Sunday.

I didn't expect to feel this much all at once—nervousness, excitement… something in between. It's strange, knowing that something I wrote in quiet moments is about to exist in a room full of people. Real people. Local readers. Strangers who chose to step into the same story.

I'm looking forward to meeting them.

And to supporting the local businesses opening their space to this.

It makes everything feel more real.

—

Outside of the events, I've been working on book two.

I'm about 70% through the story, but it still feels far from finished. Like there's something just out of reach, waiting to fall into place. I'm aiming to release part two of Nick's story in August.

If you've read the first book… you might understand why August.

—

I'm not sure how to end these yet.

But if you're here, reading this—thank you. Truly. Your support, your presence, it all means more than I can put into words.

Until next time,

Stay safe.

Stay aware.

— A. Rose