A funny thing happened a few weeks ago when I attended a book-signing event for a former Albuquerque Journal colleague.

I was invited to do one of my own.

On Feb. 17, I drove to the Martha Liebert Public Library in Bernalillo, New Mexico, to show my support for Rosalie Rayburn, whom I met during my days at the Journal. Rosalie, who now lives in Portugal but was back in the state for a visit, was there to talk about her new book, The Sunshine Solution: A Digger Doyle Mystery.

The book is her second in a series featuring Elizabeth “Digger” Doyle, an investigative reporter based in the fictional New Mexico city of Las Vistas. Rosalie introduced Doyle in her first book, The Power of Rain.

After her presentation, I approached library director Joseph McKenzie and offered to donate a copy of my Crosses of Iron: The Tragic Story of Dawson, New Mexico, and Its Twin Mining Disasters to his collection. I had done the same for libraries after previous speaking engagements in Placitas, New Mexico, and Trinidad, Colorado.

Forty-five minutes later, I emerged from Joseph’s office with a date on the library’s busy calendar: April 13, a Saturday, at 10 a.m.

After my presentation, I’ll be available to sell and sign copies of Crosses of Iron — or just sign if you bring your own.

I hope to see you there.