Meeting Garrie Stoutimore at Manchester Craft Market and a Packed Summer Day at Mall of NH

Some author events feel busy from the first few minutes, and last Saturday at the Mall of NH was one of those days.

The Manchester Craft Market had that familiar summer energy: shoppers moving from table to table, families taking their time, people pausing when a cover caught their eye, and plenty of conversations starting with, “So, what is your book about?” It was the kind of day authors hope for when they pack up books, signs, bookmarks, and a little bit of courage.

For me, the highlight was finally meeting Garrie Stoutimore in person. After previous conversations, it was a real pleasure to stand across from her, talk face to face, and celebrate her work as a new author. Her book, "BEHIND THE MALTESE CROSS," brought something special to the event: real stories from firefighters, told with the kind of respect and curiosity that makes people stop and listen.

A busy summer Saturday brought readers and shoppers through the Manchester Craft Market.

A summer Saturday that brought people out

The Mall of NH was packed, and not in the rushed, everyone-is-trying-to-get-somewhere way. It had the easy rhythm of a beautiful summer Saturday. People were out enjoying the day, wandering through the mall, stopping at vendor tables, talking with makers, and finding things they did not expect to find.

That is one of the best parts of an event like the Manchester Craft Market. People may come in for one reason, then leave with a handmade gift, a new favorite author, or a book they never knew they needed.

There was a steady flow of attendees throughout the day. Some people came right up to the table with questions. Others slowed down, looked at book covers, read the back copy, and then started a conversation. A few were curious about the writing process. Some wanted to know whether the books were fiction or nonfiction. Others shared what they like to read, which always helps an author understand what might connect.

Those small moments matter. A signing event is not only about putting books in bags. It is about meeting people where their interests are. It is about hearing what catches their attention. It is about watching someone pick up a book, turn it over, read a few lines, and decide whether that story belongs on their shelf.

Last Saturday had plenty of those moments.

Meeting Garrie Stoutimore in person made the day special

I had spoken with Garrie several times before, so meeting her did not feel like meeting a stranger. It felt more like completing a conversation that had already started.

There is something different about talking with another author in person. You can hear the excitement in their voice when they describe their book. You can see what matters to them. You can ask the kind of follow-up questions that do not always fit neatly into a quick message or phone call.

Garrie brought a warm presence to the event. As a new author, she had every reason to be proud. Getting a book into the world takes patience, commitment, and a willingness to stay with the story even when the process gets difficult. Seeing her there with "BEHIND THE MALTESE CROSS" made that accomplishment feel real.

It is always encouraging to meet someone who has taken an idea, shaped it, worked through the details, and made it into a finished book. Even better, Garrie’s book has a clear and meaningful purpose.

It gives readers a closer look at firefighters through real stories.

"BEHIND THE MALTESE CROSS" gives firefighters a place to be heard

The title alone, "BEHIND THE MALTESE CROSS," invites curiosity. The Maltese cross is widely recognized as a symbol connected with firefighting, courage, and service. Garrie’s book looks behind that symbol and focuses on the people who live the work.

The unique angle of the book is simple and strong: real stories from firefighters.

That approach matters because firefighting is often viewed from the outside. Many people picture the dramatic parts first: the fire trucks, the gear, the alarms, the emergency response. Those are part of the job, of course, but they are not the whole story.

Real firefighter stories can bring out the human side:

• The calls that stay with them

• The teamwork that carries them through hard moments

• The humor that helps people cope

• The pressure of making fast decisions

• The pride of serving a community

• The cost that service can carry

  
  

A book built on real stories does something fiction and headlines cannot always do. It gives space. It slows the reader down. It lets people sit with the experiences of those who have lived them.

That was one reason Garrie’s book felt like such a natural conversation starter at the event. People understand, on some level, that firefighters do difficult and important work. Many have a firefighter in their family, know one through their town, or have had a moment in life when emergency responders showed up when they were needed most.

When a book connects to real service and real people, readers lean in.

The best author events are built on conversation

One of the quiet joys of signing events is that you never know where a conversation will go.

Someone may begin by asking about a book cover, then end up talking about a favorite author from childhood. Another person may mention that they have always wanted to write a book. Someone else may say they used to read all the time and are trying to get back into it.

Last Saturday brought a steady mix of those conversations. Attendees showed interest in my books, asked thoughtful questions, and took time to browse. Some wanted a quick description. Others wanted to know more about the tone, the characters, or what kind of reader might enjoy them.

That kind of attention is encouraging. Writing can be solitary for long stretches. Authors spend so much time with drafts, edits, notes, and decisions that it can be easy to forget the final step: the reader.

At an event like this, the reader is right there.

They pick up the book. They ask what inspired it. They smile when something sounds like their kind of story. They tell you they are buying it for themselves, for a family member, or for a friend who loves to read.

Those moments give the work fresh energy.

A packed mall made the event feel alive

There is a big difference between sitting at a quiet table and sitting at a table where people are constantly passing by. Last Saturday had movement, sound, and plenty of chances to connect.

The packed mall helped. A full space creates momentum. People see others stopping, and they get curious. They notice covers, signs, and displays. They hear a bit of conversation and step closer. A market table becomes less like a table and more like a small gathering point.

The Manchester Craft Market setting also helped because people were already in the mood to discover something. Craft markets bring together shoppers who like handmade work, local talent, personal stories, and one-of-a-kind finds. Books fit beautifully into that mix.

A book is not handmade in the same way a candle, painting, or piece of jewelry might be, but it carries the same personal stamp. Someone made choices on every page. Someone shaped the voice. Someone cared enough to finish it.

That is why author tables belong at craft markets. Readers get to meet the person behind the book, and authors get to hear directly from the people who may take that book home.

The joy of sharing space with another author

Sharing an event with another author adds a special kind of encouragement. There is a mutual understanding that does not need much explanation.

Authors know what it feels like to prepare for an event. They know how much time goes into setting up a table so it feels welcoming. They know the strange balance between hoping people stop by and not wanting to pressure anyone. They know that every conversation counts.

Meeting Garrie in that setting made the day even better. It was not just a quick hello. It was a chance to see her step into her role as an author and introduce readers to "BEHIND THE MALTESE CROSS."

That is a meaningful milestone.

New authors often carry both excitement and nerves into their first events. There are questions that only experience can answer. Will people stop? Will they understand the book? Will the story connect? Will the day feel successful?

From what I saw, Garrie had every reason to feel encouraged. Her book has a clear subject, a strong emotional pull, and a reason for readers to care.

Why firefighter stories stay with people

Firefighter stories have a way of cutting through small talk.

They are about danger, yes, but they are also about duty, memory, and community. They show what happens when people train for the calls no one wants to make. They reveal how ordinary days can change in seconds. They also remind us that public service is carried out by real people with families, fears, humor, and history.

That is why a book like "BEHIND THE MALTESE CROSS" is more than a collection of accounts. It gives readers a chance to better understand the people behind the helmet and gear.

Stories like these can help preserve experiences that might otherwise stay within the firehouse. They can give firefighters and their families a way to feel seen. They can also help readers appreciate the work in a deeper, more personal way.

At a public event, that kind of book naturally opens a door. People want to share their own connections. They remember someone they know. They ask how the book came together. They recognize the symbol and want to know what is behind it.

That is the power of a clear and honest angle.

A day full of small wins

By the end of the event, the day felt successful in the best way. Not only because the mall was packed, though that certainly helped. Not only because people showed interest in the books, though that always means a lot.

It felt successful because the day had connection in it.

I finally met Garrie in person. I got to learn more about her book and see readers respond to it. I talked with attendees who were curious, kind, and generous with their time. I had the chance to share my own books with people who might not have found them anywhere else. Families especially liked THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING MOON. It grabbed the attention of the little ones as they walked by.

This is what makes these events worth doing.

An author signing is never just one thing. It is part book introduction, part conversation, part community moment, and part reminder that stories still bring people together in real life. In a world where so much reading and book discovery happens online, there is something refreshing about watching someone pick up a book with their own hands and ask the author about it.

Last Saturday at the Mall of NH gave us that, over and over again.

Looking back with gratitude

I left the Manchester Craft Market feeling grateful for a beautiful summer Saturday, a packed mall, and every person who stopped to talk.

I was especially glad to finally meet Garrie Stoutimore and celebrate "BEHIND THE MALTESE CROSS." A new author’s first steps into the public side of publishing deserve to be recognized, and Garrie brought a book with a meaningful heart: real stories from firefighters, shared in a way that invites readers to look closer.

To everyone who came by, asked questions, browsed, bought books, or simply paused for a friendly conversation, thank you. Those moments stay with authors longer than you might think.

Days like this remind me why local book events matter. They give stories a place to meet people, and they give people a chance to meet the voices behind the stories. Last Saturday, that place was the Mall of NH, and it was a wonderful one.

And, we'll do it again in October!! All of my books are now for sale in the Manchester Craft Market.