Do you like to go to author appearances? Sometimes a single author will sit at a table at a bookstore to meet
readers and sign copies of their latest book. Sometimes it’s an entire hotel banquet room full of authors, all excited to meet you and talk to you about their books. As an author, I’ve participated in many, many of these events. They’re always fun, whether there’s a line throughout the store and you sell a hundred books, or it’s a lonely, isolated table and despite most people avoiding eye contact, you make one connection with an interested reader.
As a reader, I love to meet other authors, especially those whose books I’ve read. Sometimes I get a little starstruck, knowing that this particular author has written book after book that I’ve loved, reached the peaks of the bestseller lists and have millions of readers. An author who is so far out of my own author realm that I’m hesitant to even put the same title “author” to each of us.
About twenty minutes away from my house is an independent bookstore that has established itself, over the last thirty years or so, as a coveted spot on the book tours of bestselling authors of all genres. I’m on their mailing list, so I receive notice of several months’ worth of book events coming up. Most feature the chance to hear the author speak for forty minutes or so, a lunch, and a book, which if you choose, you can stand in line to have it signed. You even have a chance to chat with the author. I’ve attended many of these, and lately I’ve been just brazen enough to get my picture taken with the author!
I’ll share some of those here:
Charles Spencer is a British author who has written nine books, all historical nonfiction. I normally wouldn’t be drawn to attend the spoken comments of this type of author (just not my thing) but then again, he had a little bit of celebrity going for him. You may know him as the 9th Earl Spencer, or better yet … Princess Diana’s brother. His talk about his new book, The White Ship was interesting, and although he did agree to personalize each book as he signed it, he wasn’t too chatty. He had a hard time spelling my name and I had to repeat it three times.
Mary Kay Andrews was celebrating publishing her thirtieth book in thirty years. Twenty-seven of them hit the New York Times bestseller list. She was extremely personable; her speech was laugh out loud funny and she had the audience eating out of her hand sharing stories behind the scenes of her novels. When I stood in line to get my book signed, I mentioned to her that I was an author as well, and she acknowledged that in her personalization, “Write on!”
I think the most positive interaction I had lately with a celebrity author was Mary Alice Monroe. I love her books, and I’ve read many. In listening to her speech, I realized we had several important things in common:
- Both our wedding anniversaries are June 17, the day of the booksigning.
- We both live in coastal South Carolina.
- We both write beachy heartwarming stories.
- We both had our first book published in the year 2000 and have been writing ever since.
When I got to the front of the line and met her, I told her about our similarities. She immediately wanted to know about MY books, which was such a kind thing for her to do. When she personalized my book, she wrote, “I want to come to your signing.” What a sweetheart.
I love when authors are generous and approachable by readers and other authors. Do you have any author sighting stories? Who have you met and can you share anything about the meeting?
**Heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.** An award-winning author, Laurie is living her dream life at the beach, writing novels. Laurie writes beachy inspirational romance that takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. She retired from the big day job and now focuses on writing full time. Strolls on the sand, soaking up the sun and riding the waves can be considered the best kind of research.
Hi Laurie! This reader and retired high school teacher has been very fortunate to interact with authors at my small home town independent bookstore, local library, nationally and internationally. In 1996 I participated in a five day seminar in Berlin, Germany were college professors interacted with East German authors. I still have my autographed books. Erich Loest wrote Nikolikirche, about the Candle Light Revolution that helped bring the collapse of the Berlin Wall and Iron Curtain. In 2008 on a 3 week study trip in Japan, I met children’s author Kenji Miyazawa who survived the bombing of Hiroshima. He talked about being bullied and that is the theme of his children’s books The Nighthawk Star and The Kenju Park Grove.
Locally I attended a book talk by Loreen Niewenhuis who walked around the Great Lakes. I have an autographed copy of A 1,000 Mile Great Lakes Walk. Also read A 1,000 Mile Walk on the Beach. In 2019 attended a SW Michigan Writers Conference and met a Michigan children’s author Mary Morgan, who writes the National Park Mystery Series. She autographed Stolen Treasures at Picture Rock (a Michigan National Park). This avid reader, retired teacher, Oma enjoys interacting with authors in person and on line. Best wishes. Enjoy the holiday weekend.
Alas, no sightings or signings for me.
How wonderful! You have a long list of adventures to reminisce. I think my autographed books where I’ve met the author personally are some of my favorite possessions!
Scan your local newspapers (or Facebook events!) You may just find one nearby!
Many of the authors I read are from the USA, and I live in England so not much opportunity to see them sadly. I love going to literary festival events though and I’ll happily sit through any authors talking even if I haven’t read their books, I find it all fascinating!
I did get to go to an event with Laurie R King, a mystery writer I love, about 15 years ago – it was quite a small event and I couldn’t believe I was sat so close listening to her, my mind went completely blank when it came to asking questions but it was really good!
I met a children’s author last year . The surprising part was that I had taught her two children. It was so nice to catch up with her and learn how she became an author.
How exciting!! Whenever I have the chance to hear an author speak, even if I’ve never read their books, it’s always worth my time and attention. I always learn something and it may provide me with a new author to fall in love with!
What a fun connection!! Teachers make a far reaching impact!
I haven’t met any authors through book signings or official events. However, my family lives on a farm, and a local author and newspaper column writer (Lloyd “Pete” Waters) buys produce from us. He gave my mom a signed set of his books too. :D
Oh how sweet! As an author I always wonder how people in my life would feel if I gave them my books as gifts. Would they be welcome or would they think it was sort of self-serving? Maybe I’ll start gifting books more!
I’ve been blessed to go to Christian Fiction Readers Retreat and met a lot of others there. I’ve also met some authors at the ACFW Virginia Conference. My favorites were meeting Ronie Kendig, Elizabeth Maddrey, Sarah Monzon, Mikal Dawn, and others!
That’s awesome Toni! And I know there are lots of readers who were thrilled to meet YOU at a signing as well!
Welcome today. I have been to numerous author signings. Mostly through church. Sometimes they have had a group singing or talk before hand. One was Dr. Emerson Eggerich and his wife Sarah. The book they wrote was: Love & Respect. It was for couples and for those who will become a couple. It was so good and funny and hit things right on the head about the differences between men and women. So many women surrounded Sarah. Few men surrounded Dr. Emmerson. My husband went over and started talking to him, wow, but they started talking like they were old friends. It was fabulous I know my husband just went to the conference because of me. And here he was talking about personal things. The Lord moves in wonderful ways.
I’ve met three authors! I met Jo Grafford back in January, 2020 when she came to FL. I’ve also met Danni Roan and Lynn Coleman. I first met Danni back in 2020, she and I and my Mom met up at a donut shop on 192 in St. Cloud, and this year, my sister and I met up with Danni and Lynn at a Golden Corral for breakfast in Ocala. I’ve told Elizabeth Maddrey the next time she comes to FL, we need to a do a meet up!!
Thank you for the recommendation! That sounds like a book I would glean a lot out of! Sounds like your hubby is a keeper!
Wow you’ve taken this to a whole new level by setting up personal get togethers with authors you admire. Good for you! That happened to me once. An active member of my review team who had left wonderful positive reviews for my books was attending another author’s fan weekend about 70 miles away. She came a day early to meet me for lunch and get to know each other “IRL” (in real life). It was really special!
I’d love to meet some of my favorite authors but not very many come to places near me. I was traveling once and met Tamera Alexander. She is such a sweetheart! So warm and welcoming. That was a lot of fun getting to meet her as she’s one of my favorite authors.
I’ve met Tamera too!! I was visiting a friend of mine in TN and she said, “I have a neighbor who writes books. I thought I’d introduce the two of you.” It was Tamera! We had a great chat and later I asked her to do a ZOOM presentation to my writers group and she did an awesome job!
Never been to a book signings or sightings
Hi, here where I live lives an author and I have gone to one of her signings here in town and I bought her book. I really enjoyed it. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
That sounds like a lot of fun! I haven’t been to any author signings but they aren’t usually close to where I live. I have however gotten the chance to meet up with an author before she moved away. That was a lot of fun and I got some signed books from her too.
They can be really fun! Maybe you can look for one near you.
Very fun!
Oh how nice! I hope you enjoyed her books after meeting her.
I went to several for Cricket stars. They were to get the book and get it signed and I do have some photos of these signings. I had gone to one and walking with another lady I meet at the net practice (they do a practice the day before the game at the oval and fans can watch) we went to the other bookshop in the mall and another cricketer was doing a signing with no lineup. I bought his book and got it signed and the photo and we got to chat with him.
On Christian authors I had an Aussie author come into the bookshop I was volunteering at on Christmas Eve and her birthday. I took the afternoon shift due to not having plans with family etc. It was exciting to find out she had books in the store yes I did buy one after she left. We also had a couple book launches at the shop.
I have also been to a Author chat put on by the local library.
I got to meet a few authors in Atlanta (Mainly LI, LIH or LIS) there were 4 and we had lunch at Ruby Tuesdays. (I had arrived in America the day before). I Also got to meet an author in Williamstown and then in Spokane I was at a readers retreat with Jillian Hart, Janet Tronstad, Danica Favourite. I missed Camy Tang by a day and we had a LIS author stop by for a short time. It was so exciting.
I have also meet our own Narelle Atkins.
But I think my best memory is meeting Colin Thiele in grade 6. Our teacher was reading his books to us and he was visiting the grade 7’s but due to our teacher he came and talked to use and read part of the book she was reading to us. We were the only class in the school actually reading his books at the time. It was either Sun on the Stubble or February Dragon.
Wow! Lots of great meet ups with authors! I’m interested in the Cricket Stars. I assume it’s a sports team? But a sports team that went to a booksigning?
I was surprised by Sara Beth Williams when she delivered her book I’ve won personally. It appeared that we were neighbors :)
I have not had the opportunity to go to an author signing. When my kids were young and in elementary school a couple authors came to their school. They both have 2 books each signed by those authors. I have enjoyed connecting to authors this summer via email and messenger.
No author events in my area
What a surprise! I bet she was thrilled to meet you!
It’s so easy to get in contact with authors now, through their website or social media.
You might consider visiting your nearest library or bookstore and letting them know there’s interest in an author event!
I wish. None for me.
Yes most were Australian players. Steve Waugh was the main one and also Glenn McGrath (a quick google will show who they are and were) The next practice I went to was the Australian team and the international team they would be playing. I got auto graphs there as well as some books signed. but when they had a book signing I would go to the Mall to get one signed. They wrote books often biography but Steve Waugh use to write diaries of the tour of England and other places they played. A tour away was normally around 3 months (With test matches which go for 5 days and one dayers that go for one day) What can I say I am a cricket fanatic. Also we didn’t have as many Christian authors in my state and often if there was a book signing it wasn’t when I was in the city which is 5 hours by bus or 3 and a half by car but as I don’t drive I have to go by bus and its normally for a reason like the cricket or and event.
Very exciting! Thanks for clarifying for me!
Something for your bucket list! 😀
no, but would be fun
That’s so fun! I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want to meet many of the authors from this blog. :)
I’ve never met any authors in person as I don’t have the funds to attend any of these events. I live in Atlanta so I know there are many events that come here. Maybe one day I’ll be able to go.
I have only been to one author signing and that was for a children’s author when I was a kid. It would be interesting to hear an author speak, though.
The Madrid Book Fair is an annual event held in the Retiro Park in Madrid. I met different authors, publishers houses and independants bookstores.
The book fair is international in scope. Although it features mainly books from Spanish-speaking countries, the event promotes the literature of a guest country every year.
I had the pleasure to meet Mario Escobar (Auschwitz Lullaby) and other no Christian authors there. I came back home with new books and signatures. A great time for any reader ;-)
I have never got to meet any of the Authors or went to any of the signings But I sure would love to someday Have a Blessed DAY
Hi Laurie,
I’ve never been to a book signing, so have never met any author in person, but it sure sounds like an interesting experience.
Uncanny the things you and Mary Alice Monroe had in common!
I’ve never had an author sighting. I live in the biggest city in my area, but it’s not a magnet for author signings for some reason.
Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Patti Callahan Henry along with Mary Alice Monroe started Friends and Fiction at 7:00pm on Wednesday nights. Mary Kay and Mary Alice seem fabulous on the podcast. I have met Brenda Novak in person. She is a very nice, kind lady. I was able to have my picture taken with her even with my walker, she was very sweet to help me. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Yes maybe we should try to arrange an InspyRomance author event!
I know! Crazy!
How wonderful! I joined their FB group but I’ve never listened to their podcast. I’ll put it on my ToDo list.
Our library has an Authors Authors event where the author gives a speech and then does a book signing. I went to two different ones years ago. I saw Elizabeth Peters and another time went to see Carol Higgins Clark. They wrote mysteries. Lots of fun. Once when we had tall ships here there was an author at a table selling books. I don’t remember his name.
I actually haven’t seen or met any (fiction) authors that I know of in real life.