Book Signing, by Diane McEachern

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After Oprah, securing an appearance on C-SPAN's BookTV may be an author's most coveted placement. C-SPAN is a prestige network, and generally the people who watch seem "plugged in" to current affairs and the political discourse of the day. Book publishers usually report a noticeable uptick in sales after one of their authors appears on the show. I was amazed when my publicist called to let me know BookTV would be covering a stop on my promotional tour, a reading scheduled for Great Good Books in Oakland, California. Then - I forgot all about it.

My schedule was busy, I was fielding dozens of requests from radio shows, and I was tired. An East Coast girl, I generally suffer terrible jet lag when I head west. In fact, it usually takes me a week of restless nights to make up the three-hour time difference between Washington, D.C. where I live, and California. By the time I got to Great Good Books, I felt as foggy as San Francisco Bay.

The fog turned to shock as soon as I spotted the TV camera crew. "What's going on?" I asked the bookstore owner. "Didn't your publicist tell you?" she answered, eyebrows arched. "C-SPAN is taping your reading."

I groaned. In the hustle and bustle of traveling across the country and appearing at other book events, I had completely blanked on C-SPAN. I rushed to the bathroom and gazed into the mirror, appalled at my definitely not-ready-for-prime time hair, lack of makeup, and the dark circles shadowing my eyes. I brushed quickly through my locks, then added some blush and lipstick to my exasperated face. Sighing, I returned to the store.

The room filled up, and I began to talk, conscious of the camera shooting a side angle to my left. I hoped to come across as in control and authoritative, and after a while, I actually forgot C-SPAN was there. The crowd was knowledgeable, and after I read for about 15 minutes, we had a terrific discussion about ways to live and shop in a more eco-friendly way. The crew shot many scenes of the audience asking questions, which I thought was the best part of the evening.

I went on my way, and given my hectic pace, I forgot all about the interview once again - until this weekend. I'd taken my 17-year-old daughter to visit colleges. She was flipping channels to pass the time in our hotel room when she suddenly shouted, "Hey, Mom! You're on TV!"

I rushed to the screen, and there I was, beaming in from Oakland, California on C-SPAN.

"Wow!" I said.

"Boring," said my daughter. "I mean, Mom, look at your hair! And all you're doing is reading. How long is this going to go on? Really, Mom, you should have stopped after 5 minutes."

Then she changed the channel.

I was mortified. She was right. It did seem slow and dull (and my hair really was out of control). I sent my husband a quick text and asked him to check the times the segment would air. Fortunately, it was slated for viewing at 12:00 a.m., 8 a.m. and other hours in the middle of the night. Surely, no one other than my daughter and I would see my performance. At least, that's what I hoped.

But I was wrong.

Within 12 hours of the show, I started getting e-mail slugged "Book TV" in the subject line. I clicked the first message open with some trepidation - and was amazed at what I found.

"After seeing you I had to write! " said the first note, from a viewer who after watching my "wonderful" performance on C-SPAN felt compelled to share her own ideas for environmental action in her community.

"Wow!" said the next message. "I was blown away by your speech on book TV. Everything you said I also know and have been trying to convey to my family and friends for about a year now. It's been so hard because I keep forgetting all I want to say; especially when they're skeptical. So thank you for taking your time and writing a book that has all someone needs to know to get started with their own green revolution."

"Thank You," said a third. "Last night, while thumbing through the television channels, I happened to come across a taping of your book signing in Oakland CA last month. As I listened to you read chosen passages I became very intrigued by your mission." The viewer provided his contact information, noting, "although I am sure that you are extremely busy, any response would be greatly appreciated."

Added a fourth, "I was just watching your commentary on C-SPAN's Boot. I look forward to reading your book. I was thrilled to hear the voices of women who really wish to make conscious changes in their homes and families." She offered to send me handbags she's making out of recycled plastic, then wrapped up by saying, "Cheers to Great green voices, making mother earth our friend."

This being C-SPAN, I wasn't surprised when a final e-mail came through my box.

"FIRST I HAVE NOT READ ANY OF YOUR BOOKS TO MY KNOWLEDGE...BUT BY THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AND YOUR PRESENTATION (WHICH YOU SPEAK VERY WELL) I THINK YOU ARE RUSHING YOUR PUBLICATIONS AHEAD OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, AHEAD OF YOUR RESEARCH."

I couldn't help but laugh. There is a naysayer in every crowd, I thought. But at least she didn't complain about my hair.

View more information on Diane McEachern's Big Green Purse.

Diane McEachern, Big Green Purse, green, environment, pollution, consumer force, economy, Penguin Books, books