She's The One

A Festival?

A week later, Denise was dividing her time between Shakespeare and finishing unpacking. She was enjoying decorating now that it was all freshly painted, repaired, and filled with her furniture. It was worth paying movers to haul all her things from a local storage unit. Sipping her second cup of coffee, she decided on how to arrange her book collection. The smaller 'guest' room was her work office. The large collection of Shakespeare was placed there. It was the first room she completed. Work had to come first, so her space had to be finished. Humming along to a disco song from her playlist, she placed her Scarpetta books on the far left corner of the first shelf. Her Mamaw cultivated a love of reading from a young age. She introduced her to mysteries and thrillers. Patricia Cornwell is still her favorite. The theme from Downton Abbey cut into her thoughts. It was Barbara, so she turned her bluetooth speaker down and answered. "Hey, what's up, Barb? She asked, taking a sip of coffee. "Hello love, I'm calling to let you know about a great opportunity to get more readers interested in your books," She told her, excitement in her voice. "Oh, really? Tell me!" She demands, giggling. "There's going to be a Shakespeare festival just outside London in two weeks' time. You can set up a table or some such and contact publishing to get signs and free things like pens or magnets. There will be colleges representing there as well." She says, barely stopping for breath. Denise was hooked after she said Shakespeare honestly, but a chance for others to see her books was cream cheese icing on a very awesome red velvet cake! "Yes! I'm definitely going to do that. Are there any fees?" She asked her. She heard Barbara shuffle some papers around. "Um, no, no fees unless you're not a business or college, but it's not much at all. Looks around forty pounds for the day. It includes a spot to set up, and they will advertise you in the next announcement." Denise was thrilled. Very inexpensive and free advertising. "That's a fantastic deal, Barb!" She exclaims. "I'll call Todd today and see if they'll get a large stand-up sign and a couple of small ones for a table. Just as long as that ass doesn't plaster my picture on one of them like the last time I did a promotion." She complained. "He had to make it up to me in many iced coffees," Barbara laughed. "Yes, I remember! You were so furious at him, " Denise laughs, remembering how he tried to justify using a photo of her when it's nowhere in her books. "Well, if he screws up this time, I'm demanding red velvet cake to go with the coffee," She states, making Barbara giggle loudly. "Thanks for letting me know, Barb. I'll be sure to give Todd a hard time since you saw the event first." She tells her, saying goodbye and then dialing her publisher. "I know, I know Denise," a soft, smooth voice told her as soon as the call connected. "I already have signs ordered and am having ink pens and small pads of paper made with your latest edition on them. No pictures this time, I promise." He says, chuckling. "That's great, Todd, thank you, I mean it," She says warmly. Todd was not only an amazing publisher, he had become a great friend and cheerleader. No one motivated her like he did. His husband loved true crime and serial killer documentaries as much as she did. "Stop it, woman, you'll make me all soft," He told her. "I know that Louis would appreciate it," She tells him slyly. Todd laughs. "Probably so," He conceded. "Do I need to rent a table?" She asks him. "No, love, I've got it all taken care of. You just show up 30 minutes before it starts." He tells her smugly. "Well, well, Mr. Organized, I'm definitely impressed, " She says in a horrible British accent. "Ugh, stop with the horrid butchering of my accent," He says, making a gagging sound over the phone. Denise laughs. 'OK, I'll stop. Just NO pictures of me, please, " She reminds him. "No worries love, I learned that the hard way," He assures her. "Ok, sweetie, I'll talk with you later. I'm going to work some more here shortly, " She says, walking into her kitchen and rinsing her mug out. "No rush seeing as you're ahead of schedule as usual," He says with pride. It makes her smile. "Ok, Todd, I'll talk with you later. Love you!"She says. "Love you too, sweet. Take care, " He tells her gently as they hang up. She sighs, glancing into her office. She wasn't really in a good headspace to write. Maybe working on her books some more will let her mind focus. She grabs a chewy granola bar from the snack jar and gets bottled water from the fridge. Making her way back into the living room, she cues up her playlists and chooses some pop to try and get motivated. Taking a deep breath, she claps her hands together, grabs more books, and gets back to work.