In the words of Natchez author Greg Iles &uot;you just do what you can.&uot;

Iles signed copies of his latest book &uot;Dead Sleep&uot; Saturday with all proceeds to benefit his alma mater, Trinity Episcopal Day School.

A total of 700 books were ordered for the signing and most copies were sold in an hour and a half.

&uot;I just appreciate everybody coming out,&uot; Iles said.

Iles held a similar signing last year for his previous book, &uot;24 Hours.&uot;

&uot;It’s very generous. We’re kind of overwhelmed with that,&uot; said Trinity Episcopal Day School Principal Dr. Delecia Carey. &uot;It’s a huge gift to us.&uot;

People lined up in the school’s library Saturday to wait for Iles to sign their copies.

&uot;I have all Greg’s books, and I enjoy reading his books,&uot; said Mary Higgs.

Kim Kaiser, who works with Iles’ father, said she also has signed copies of all his books. She sees similarities between the characters in his books and actual people.

&uot;It’s been real interesting to see how Greg has drawn from his own life,&uot; Kaiser said.

Iles graduated from Trinity Episcopal Day School in 1978 and serves on its school board.

&uot;When you’re trying to run a private school in a city as small as Natchez it’s a difficult thing to do,&uot; he said.

That makes benefits like the signing practically a necessity, he said.

&uot;I think everybody who’s an alumni of Trinity do what they can do,&uot; he said.

Iles said it was a relief to have &uot;Dead Sleep&uot; completed but he is still waiting to see how the book will do at bookstores.

&uot;Mainly I don’t know how I feel yet because I haven’t seen the best sellers list yet,&uot; he said.

The book needs to be in bookstores for a few more days first, he said.

The proceeds raised from the signing will go into a special account to finance whatever the school needs.

The school currently plans to build a fitness center, Iles said.