Hobnobbing with Local Authors

I went to the Local Author Showcase at the Bella Vista (Arkansas) Public Library yesterday. It was great to meet other local authors including Jenny Ann, Talya Tate Boerner, Tamara Hart Heiner, Nancy Hartney, BJ Tassan, and Barbara Youree. Many more authors were in attendance, and I’m sorry for excluding them, but I didn’t pick up their business card. I bought a couple of books, had them signed and to buy e-books from these authors. I’m looking forward to the day when I can sit at the table and sign my book for you.

I also attend a critique group in the afternoon in Fayetteville. It’s a great group, and the feedback is wonderful. I believe aspiring authors should surround themselves with author signing events and conferences. See what other authors do, learn from them, and promote yourself to them. They’ll be as excited for you as anybody else. Maybe even more so as they know what it takes to be an author. Embrace the author life; you won’t regret it.

Lastly, pick up the author’s business card. Collect them like Beanie Babies. Then spread them out your table and see which one(s) grabs your attention. Design your business card in such a way that other authors will do this same thing and pick yours out of the group. Even if you don’t purchase a book from an author at a signing event, you’ll have their business card. And if the business card grabs your attention, you’ll be more likely to purchase their books online at a later date. This is my approach; I hope you find it helpful.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what book I have my nose in. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I finished reading the Paladin Caper by Patrick Weeks. My review is on Goodreads. I’m currently reading Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody by Allen R. Hunt. I encourage you to read a variety of topics.