Hello,
Readers, Katy Lee here with you today. I am just coming off an exciting weekend
spent with thousands of readers from all over the U.S. and beyond. This past
weekend in New York City, The Bookcon 2017 welcomed authors from every genre
and the readers who love them.
I was
delighted to be giving away copies of my November Love Inspired Suspense novel High Speed Holiday in the Romance
Writers of America booth. I was also excited to be signing with fellow Love
Inspired author Jean C. Gordon. But as much fun as that was, it’s the readers
who amaze me at these book conferences.
My day
started when a woman sat down beside me on the train into the city. She started
talking about how exited she was to meet certain authors. She spoke about them
as though she’d met them before, even though she admitted to never setting eyes
on them in person. They meant so much to her because the words in their stories
affected her life. I, of course, invited her to my booth for a signed copy of
one of my own, and she did take me up on it. When I saw her later that day her
bag was stuffed, but she made room for one more.
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| PC: RWA |
Readers
surrounded me, and just like my train friend, they traveled far and wide,
stepping out of their isolated reading corners because they also looked to
expand their library, as well as bring new authors into their life.
That’s
when the amazement of them hit me.
These readers weren’t just looking to meet
the authors who made an impact on their lives, but when they pick up a new
book from an unknown author, they too, are opening themselves up to sharing a
bit of themselves with that author. It really is an honor to have someone pick
up your book to take back home with them, back to their private, busy lives
where they won’t just read your words, but also invest a bit of themselves into
your story as well.
And so, I
will write knowing it’s not only about my characters living out their journey
on the pages of my books, but also readers who join them along the way. Thank you for making room for one more book.
And now, to
share a bit of the giving excitement from Bookcon, I’m giving away a copy of my
award-winning novel Blindsided! Click below to enter. Or leave a comment with your email address.
And have you ever attended a book conference? Which one? Do you have a favorite?
Posts
Katy, thank you for the reminder of how our stories weave into readers' lives. I am honored and humbled that people read my stories. Congratulations on your new book!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteKaty, that was a wonderful experience. I love talking to readers.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteKaty, sounds like a great experience. Congrats on the new release.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary!
DeleteIt was great seeing you at BookCon. I had such a good time signing there, too. And I've finished my copy of HIGH SPEED HOLIDAY.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing you again too!
DeleteKaty, what a great experience you had. I will have to go to Bookcon one year. I signed at ALA one year in the RWA booth. It was fun and exciting.
ReplyDeleteBusy and packed but fun!
DeleteWhat a fun day that had to be. I love that the lady met you on the train and then came to your booth. Reading your post, I thought about all the fun characters I love to read. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt was so neat. As soon as she sat down she asked if that's where we were going. It was a packed train, so we had to share our row. Couldn't have been better.
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ReplyDeleteWow. It sounds like such a fun day in New York City. I've always wanted to go. Readers are the life blood of our industry. So happy you got to experience this.
Yes, they are! I have to picture a certain person when I write. It keeps me focused and reminds me I'm writing it for her.
DeleteI've enjoyed BookCon several times, and it's always great to interact with readers, especially when they've come specifically to see you. It's humbling to realize that your work can impact others in significant ways--and it's so easy to lose sight of that when you're in the midst of the day-to-day struggle to keep the books coming. I recommend BookCon to every author, and I'm thankful that my publisher so readily supports the authors who participate. Thanks for the reminder, Katy. I'm glad you had such a great experience.
ReplyDeleteI recommend it too. It helps to keep the words flowing to remember why.
DeleteKaty, Thanx for sharing your experiences. As a reader, I get so excited about interacting with authors. I love being able to read and comment on blogs and posts.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer, so nice of you to stop by. My post is for you! :)
DeleteKaty,
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have been there. The excitement, the noise, meeting readers, and getting more books. What a perfect day!
Sounds like you had a blast. That's on my list to do one day! You represented us well!
ReplyDeleteI would love,love,love to go to a book conference someday!!!! Not only to meet authors I only know through their books, but new-to-me like yourself Katy! That would be the highlight of my life :-) Man, if I were that woman, you would have been the first author I would have visted.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I enjoyed reading it!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
The Rafflecopter thing isn't working so I left my email address. :-)
DeleteOh, I read that wrong!! She did take you up on your offer of a signed book, sorry!
DeleteThank you so much, Trixi for stopping by, and I got you down. Not sure what Rafflecopter is doing....
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