Monday, February 18, 2013

Debut for Lawn Gone!

It was standing room only at The Natural Gardener in Austin yesterday as Pam Penick, local author and award-winning blogger at Digging, discussed her new book Lawn Gone! which was released on February 12th.  The audience was in for a treat as she is both entertaining and informative.  Pam had their attention as she discussed trading in the traditional lawn in favor of options covered in the book such as groundcover, perennials, and hardscape. 



The overflow crowd continued around three sides of the tent!  Going lawn free in the Austin area generates lots of interest.


After Pam discussed ideas from her book she engaged in a thought-provoking question and answer session with the audience.


 
A crowd gathered around the display of recommended plants after the session.  That's Linda of Patchwork Garden down at the far end of the table holding a copy of Pam's book.  It was fun meeting Linda and other local bloggers including Jenny of Rock Rose.


Then it was on to the deck of the gift shop at The Natural Gardener for the book signing.  The line was long and The Natural Gardener sold out of the book.


Pam signed books against a backdrop of metal art


.....and signed more books


After managing to snag one of the last copies available I got in line too.


Pam had a few minutes to chat with local bloggers when she finished signing. Then it was time for plant shopping at The Natural Gardener.  More on that later.

It was a very nice event.  Congratulations to Pam Penick on a successful book launch!

29 comments:

  1. What a nice event! I'm glad you made the trip and posted your account with pics, which for me is the next best thing to being there. Thanks!

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    1. That's such a nice compliment. It was my goal to bring this event to those of you who couldn't make it.

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  2. Looks like a great time was had by all, Shirley! Wish I could have joined you.

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    1. It was fun, I know you would have enjoyed it.

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  3. Thank you for sharing ...loved reading about Pam's successful book talk.

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    1. You are welcome Gail, I'm glad you enjoyed seeing it here.

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  4. It was a great event. Pam gave good advice. And, it was a special treat to finally meet you, and all those other bloggers.
    Glad we both decided to go.
    The book looks like it's a good one.

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    1. I enjoyed meeting you as well Linda. The book looks like an excellent resource for all areas of the country.

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  5. 3 chapters into it, it's a good read! Glad you got to attend and meet RR and Linda, though "all y'all" look chilly!

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    1. We were indeed chilly, 45F at 10:00am when the talk began. By the time I got the crowd shot, they had shed most of their hats and scarves. We are weather wimps here and darn proud of it! It shows the importance of Pam and her subject to gardeners in Central Texas that so many braved the cold to hear her first book presentation.

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  6. Thank you so much Shirley! I would have loved to be there to support Pam and learn from her (okay yes...and to shop for plants!). Like David I'm about 3 chapters in as well and loving this book. She's a natural isn't she?

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    1. You were there in spirit Loree, we know you would have loved it! Agree, Pam is a natural presenter and passionate about the subject so it was bound to go well!

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  7. Great write up of what sounds like a fun event. Good weather too.

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    1. Good weather for New England! Glad you enjoyed my view of Pam's book debut.

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  8. Shirley, thank you SO MUCH for coming all the way from San Antonio and for documenting my first experience as speaker/author! I had a great time and was so bowled over by the enthusiastic crowd who braved the cold to hear about lawn alternatives. That so many of them also wanted to buy my book had me dancing on air! I feel very fortunate to be part of such an active gardening community, in Austin, central Texas in general, and here online!

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    1. You are so very welcome Pam, I enjoyed every minute of it. Those of us who follow Digging are not surprised by the enthusiasm for your book.

      It is a wonderful community and I love being a part of it.

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  9. A wonderful post and nice photos of the event for those of us who could not be there. I just bought the book...can't wait!

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    1. Thank you Lee, I'm enjoying the book as I find time. We are in the midst of major projects here but I've already found some inspiration for future projects.

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  10. Hooray for such a special event at a great nursery and sunny, if cold, weather! Thanks for sharing with us Pam's big day. She seems very nice and is obviously quite talented. Glad that her book sold out at the nursery.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed this e-version of the event. She is nice and so generous with her time to encourage gardeners and the blogging community. It is a special place, more on that tomorrow!

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  11. Go Pam, go! YAHOO! Thanks for sharing her special day Shirley, I wish I could have been there. :)

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    1. You are most welcome Heather, I enjoyed sharing this. I just recommended your blog to a friend who has a similar style.

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  12. What a great event! And how thrilling for her that the book sold out! And how thrilling for you to have a signed copy! It was a Win-Win-Win with plant shopping thrown in! :)

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    1. I like that, chalk up a win for everyone! I was just so happy to find a way to give back for all the inspiration and encouragement I have received from Pam.

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  13. Looks like a good time was had by all. Thanks for sharing your photos, Shirley. I received my copy of the book on Friday and just left a mini review on Pam's last post.

    By the way, I cut back my pine muhly over the weekend. Almost every one of the plants had become a winter refuge for ladybugs. Several ladybugs crawled out of the stubble and into the warm sunshine after I trimmed of the top with a hedge trimmer. I am sorry I disturbed them, but it was time for some garden maintenance.

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    1. Hi Michael, thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed seeing Pam's photo of your garden in the book. I have found ladybugs to be pretty resilient so they should be fine.

      I appreciate the tip about the pine muhly because I was just out looking at mine today and wondering how to deal with it. We had a warm winter and it is still quite green so I might leave it this year and cut next spring since this is its first full year in the garden.

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