It has been a long time since I’ve done a book fair. It’s tempting to say, “Haven’t done one since before Covid,” but it was way before Covid. What can I say? I’m an introvert and a mom. Putting myself out there at a book fair hasn’t made it to the top of my priority list lately.
Enter 2023. Somehow, I’ve managed to commit to two book fairs, with a third one hovering at maybe.
But! Even though I’m still an introvert, and even though I’m still a mom, I am very much looking forward to this first one.
Wild Deadwood Reads is a day-long book fair in the majestic Black Hills of South Dakota. Part of the Wild Bill Days festival, the book fair is free to attend. Other special events surround the fair, including a live reading the night before and a breakfast with the authors the morning of!
I am super encouraged by the presence that Christian romance will have at this event. One of my very favorite authors, Mary Connealy, will be there. I’m a little worried that I might embarrass myself by fangirling at her. Or more likely I’ll get scared and never talk to her. She is well-known for her Christian historical romance novels, but she has also published a series of contemporary romance.
Other attending contemporary Christian romance authors include Barbara M. Britton, Jessie Gussman, Shanna Hatfield, LoRee Peery, Sharon D. Tweet, probably even more I don’t know about yet, and of course, moi. I am humbled to be in such company, but mostly, I am super encouraged by how many Christian romance authors will be joining forces to represent the genre, and more importantly, our Savior and his kingdom!
I have literally never met an author I was already a fan of. (Remember, introvert!) I have met authors and then become fans of their work, but that seems the easier, less intimidating route to take. I am excited to try to meet a few of the former at this event.
And I’m even more excited to meet readers. If you come, please find me and say hello! I plan to have good chocolate at my table. And I am always excited to meet and get to know other avid readers. I love to talk books and stories!
And of course, there is lots of other stuff to do in western South Dakota, whether its Wild Bill Days or not. So if you’re due a vacation, maybe you should make it the third weekend in June!
If you have already attended this event or an event like it, I would love to hear some tips and tricks. Like I said, I’m a little rusty. What helps to make a book fair a success for you as a reader? What do authors do at book fairs that you like? What do they do that you don’t like? And what do you wish they did? (Other than handing out chocolate. I’ve got that covered.)
Hope to see you in Deadwood and if not there, then at another event in the future. Meeting other believers is so empowering, and even more so when they are book lovers too!
Learn more about Wild Deadwood Reads here: https://wilddeadwoodreads.com/
Hi, family! My name is Robin Merrill, though I write under a few other pen names. I live in rural Maine with my family and an assortment of barnyard critters. I have written more than fifty books, many of them during my daughter's dance events or my son's cattle shows. When I'm not reading, writing, or driving the minivan, I can often be found frolicking with my small goat herd. I also love gardening, but I'm really bad at it. Visit me at robinmerrill.com.
Hi Robin! Black Hills in South Dakota are breathtaking! As a retired high school English teacher I always enjoyed interacting with authors at English conferences. Learn more about what inspired the author to write their story and the research for historical novels. Candy and treats are nice, plus a book mark with picture of story or series or pen. Best wishes.
I’ve never been to a book fair. At least, not as an adult, and I’m thinking it’s not really like a book fair I’d go to at school as a kid! I have, however, met author’s whose books I’d read before I met them, and yes, I did fangirl!! I love meeting authors, and getting signed books from them!!! (Some of the books I bought, and some of them were given to me by the author at a meet/greet, and some I’ve won!!)
I’ve never been to a book fair either, but it sounds a great opportunity to meet with authors and find out about their books. I love how you are excited about meeting writers like Mary Connealy even though you are a writer yourself! What I love about this blog (and I guess events like your book fair if I go to one one day) is how everyone shares a love of reading and a love of the Lord, it’s really great chatting with people who feel the same.
Thank you! Hey, I was a high school English teacher too! Only made it four years, though, lol.
I used to love Scholastic Book Fairs! I’ve now written some books for Scholastic, and I get giddy thinking some kids might be excited to see my books on those tables and displays! And LOL, good, glad I won’t be the only fangirl.
Oh absolutely. I’m a reader first!
It IS so great to fellowship with likeminded, like-hearted people! Really fills my tank. So you should find a book fair near you soon! :)
Wish I was over there cos I would be with you in fangirling Mary (Although she already knows I do that). I have never met her but have corresponded with her because of her books May have even interviewed her for my former blog. (I know she too is an introvert).
The book fair sounds so fun. I haven’t been to one although it does sound like fun.
I have been to a couple of events a readers retreat in the USA and also meet a few authors for lunch in Atlanta. I meet Missy Tippens and Patty Hall Smith but was already loving there books. I also meet at the retreat Janet Tronstad and Jillian Hart who hosted the retreat to co incide with my trip to the states and it was also through a Goodreads group. I did however meet Shirley McCoy and started reading her books due to the retreat.
Have fun at the book fair.
haven’t been, but looks fun
I just enjoy interacting with the author. Having a few minutes to chat, possibly ask questions. It is nice to be able to have an author signed book. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Oh wow, that’s awesome! I’ve never been to a reader retreat. What a great vacation!
I hope so! 😁
Thank you, Debra!