Monday, April 2, 2012

Book Signings! (A to Z)


For some reason I got on a reading kick a couple years back after going on a cruise. Something I thought would be a pretty solitary activity turned out to be the complete opposite. This last year I started blogging about what I read and have met some great people through that, joined in on group reading challenges, gone to author readings, joined a couple street teams for authors I liked, gotten to know the ladies who run the area used bookstores (LOVE them!) and one of my favorite things....gone to book signings. I LOVE a good book signing!


My first signing was when Nicholas Sparks came to Cary. He's a favorite of one of my friends so we went and had a blast visiting with other fans. He's a great guy and very gracious. His signings start at 7pm but he always comes into the store early and starts signing at 1pm. He'll stay until the last person has their book signed too! And there are hundreds of people that come in for his signings. He visits with everyone, jokes around, and is an all around nice guy the whole time. 



That's Mr Sparks holding a little note for my friend who wasn't able to come to the signing. Can you believe how young he is?!?


The best signing so far was for Patricia Briggs who writes Science Fiction and Fantasy books. And let me tell you this woman is freaking awesome! I drove about 3 hours with my pups to go to the signing and it was worth every single second of the drive. This one was completely different from the Sparks signings. There were only about 30 of us there. She did a reading from her new release, a Q&A then signed as many books as people brought. I think I had like 15 signed and she was so sweet about it. {Blog followers! I have a signed copy of Moon Called and Fair Game for yall in the near future!}

I loved the event and getting to meet Briggs. You can't help but smile around her. She's got a wonderful sense of humor and speaks like she writes. Everything's a story being told. Flows and just captures you. 


And you just never know who you'll meet. At the Briggs event I got to meet fellow blogger Sharon from I Smell Sheep AND Author Tes Hilaire who was on my list of authors I wanted to read. How stinking neat is that? She even signed a copy of her book for me {Followers there's another one for yall too!}


Yep that's Sabrina Jeffries!

<--- That's 
Sharon and Tes :) 


And last but not least! Last week I found out there is a group called Lady Jane's Salon that gets together once a month right down the street at one of the pubs. Authors come in and do readings and just visit. It was a blast. I met a handful of new to me authors: Claudia Dain, Maya Rodale, Deb Marlowe and Ava Stone who is half of Lydia Dare! The ladies were all very sweet and it was nice to meet them all. 

The best part of the evening though? Looking down the table and seeing one of my favorite authors just sitting right there! Sabrina Jeffries is a local author and attends the get together. OMG! TOTAL FANGIRL MOMENT!! I'm not even embarrassed about it. She's delightful too. Very friendly and even signed a gifty for a friend of mine who loves her books. 

Alright so I've gushed a lot. Couldn't help myself :) I've been so pleasantly surprised by all of the authors I've met this last year. They've all been so friendly and excited to share about the things they love and the world of writing and books in general. I love knowing that the people behind some of my favorite books are such nice people. This summer I'm going to be a total fangirl mess. I'm going to the Lori Foster Reader/Writer Get Together and get to meet like 10 authors I really like plus a whole ton of others I've never read before. Yay! Alright, so that's B. I know it was long but had to get them all in there :) Drop by tomorrow for my fight against the cupcake.

16 comments:

  1. So you really get around in the world of authors! Loved both beginning posts, look forward to your complete set!
    Hugs and thanks for stopping by~

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    1. Thanks :) Yeah. I'm really enjoying all kinds of reading and authors. Just so many fantastic books out there!

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  2. I've never been to a book signing, can you believe it? You make it sound exciting, though. :)

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    1. Ah! You should definitely try to make it to one :) They are kinda exciting plus it's just fun to be around other people who love books and the same authors.

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  3. I love the story behind your blog. and believe it or not I have NEVER been to a book signing. Then again not many famous authors come to SA for a book signing

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    1. If they ever do it's a blast! You might be surprised who shows up. They don't always advertise for some reason. I had to really start looking before I found some in our state. It's also kinda fun to check out your local authors. I was amazed by how many we actually had in North Carolina and in my area.

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  4. I've never been to a book signing. I've not very good with people, and tend to avoid those sort of things.

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    1. They would definitely be nerve wracking if you don't like to be around a lot of people you don't know. The smaller ones aren't so bad. Both of the littler ones I've gone to were more like a bunch of girlfriends getting together to visit. So not too stressful :)

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  5. What a great way to spend some time. I enjoyed reading about it. How are these signings advertised?

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    1. Thanks Yvonne! I've really enjoyed going to them so far. The best way I've found to find out about them is through Facebook/Twitter. I started following all of my favorites and they'll post when they're doing them.

      For the Nicholas Sparks one our Barnes and Noble usually will have a huge banner out front for weeks before he comes. They also have a list of author signings on their website that you can search by store.

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  6. YAY!! I just got my mail from the mailbox & I got my gift today! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Do you know that that was the one I needed to complete the series?? Yep, I have the first 4 & only needed the 5th to have them all. But of course, only the 5th one is signed. Thanks again! That was so nice of you.

    I haven't been to a book signing. Ever! But I'm also going to Lori Foster's Get Together & I'm really looking forward to meeting all the authors that will be there.

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    1. Aw you're welcome! So glad it was one you needed and it got there safe and sound :)

      The Lori Foster Get Together is going to be so much fun! I can't wait :)

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  7. great post! always fun to meet authors you admire. :)

    found you on the A to Z, will be back to read more of your letters!

    best,
    MOV

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    1. It definitely is. I find myself enjoying their books even more after meeting them. Thanks for coming by!

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  8. I with you! I love book signings, too.

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