2017 Barbara Vey Reader Weekend

Hello everyone. Winnie Griggs here. I've just returned from a fabulous weekend in Milwaukee where I attended the 6th annual Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend. This is one of THE premiere events that allows authors to get together with a large group of readers and really celebrate them and show how very much we appreciate them.

The weekend was jam packed. My travelling buddy and roommate, Amy Liz Talley and I arrived on Thursday afternoon after a smooth, uneventful trip.

Barbara Vey hosted an author supper which gave us a chance to visit, get last minute instructions and take a breath before the main event. It was here that I ran into fellow Love Inspired Historical author Cheryl St.John.

Friday morning there were several sessions of Reader Bingo. One of these was sponsored by me and four other great authors - Liz Talley, Lori Wilde, Sharon Sala and Terri Brisbin.  Here is a shot of us getting ready to kick things off and another of the great group we had in attendance. 

Later that evening was the author Q&A session, a really scary (for me anyway) event where each author in turn goes up on the stage in front of a large crowd of readers to introduce her/himself and then pick a question out of a bowl that they must then answer.  And since we were called up alphabetically by first name I was in the unenviable position of going last. (FYI my question was 'what is the cheesiest pick up line that I ever used or was ever used on me').  I had the pleasure of sitting next to Cindy Dees while I awaited my turn.  And that's Dee Davis and Damon Suede behind me - two authors I've gotten to know better since serving on the RWA national board.

Saturday morning was the main event - the luncheon. Each author (all 60 of us) hosts a table of 7 readers and we each do our best to show them how much readers like them mean to us.  Here is my table after I decorated it, along with a closeup of one set of reader gifts.

After I had my table ready, I walked around looking at the other tables and was really wowed by how fun and inventive some of them were.

Then it was time for the readers to join us and I scored some really great ladies to sit with me.

After the luncheon was a book signing. There was a pizza party that evening and then Eloisa James and Damon Suede capped the day off by hosting a fun game night that included charades of book titles and crazy mad libs of book scenes.

The next morning the event closed out with a breakfast where again the authors hosted tables for readers.  Unfortunately I didn't remember to get pictures.

The trip home did not go nearly as smoothly as the trip up there - we encountered delayed flights, parking shuttle snafus and an unplanned overnight stay at a less than posh roadside motel.  But we made it home eventually and the airline gave us first class upgrades for our trouble so all's well that ends well.

And there you have it, a quick overview of my fantabulous weekend.

Oh, and I brought home an extra souvenir mug from the breakfast that I'd like to give away to one person who stops by today, so leave a comment and you'll be entered in the drawing. Check back in the comments tomorrow to learn the name of the winner.

My month of meeting readers--Lenora Worth :)

Hello and happy first Friday! Hope everyone had a lovely Cinco de Mayo. April went by quickly for me since I had two major trips and a move from our townhouse to a new house and of course, deadlines. I think I might have missed spring. But I've had some good times. After I had fun at the Romantic Times Convention in Las Vegas, we traveled up to Georgia for a funeral. All of my brothers have gone to heaven and it's sad to think about that. But a week after that, Big D and I headed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend. This was the fifth anniversary and we had lots of events planned. My first time there, so I had to learn the ropes, so to speak.

Winnie Griggs, that adventurous rebel, got me involved. We did a pre-conference bingo game that brought in two-hundred and fifty winners. I posted some pictures on another blog but I'm posting a few of them here, too. I attended these two back to back events because early on, I made a resolution to connect with readers more this year. I sure have done that. Our readers are so loyal and supportive and giving and lovely. I appreciate them so much. They made the lack of sleep and the constant sore muscles from smiling so worth it!

So here are some pictures for you to enjoy! Oh, and I'm excited about my May release--Truth and Consequences. I have a quote from that book for you, too. This story was challenging but I loved the characters and my K-9 officer dog Hunter. :)

Here I am with Liz Talley. She's a true southern girl and she has a new book out right now titled Charmingly Yours.

Here I am with my table guests. Standing Kathryn Seitz, Beth Sternhagen, Suzi Zimmerman, me, Renata Canino, Stacy Thoreson. Sitting: Stephanie Moran and Dee Ann Fugate.

My table had a beach theme. It was fun to decorate and then have a nice long chat with readers. We had a signing later that was fast and furious and crowded and then some more fun events. Winnie and I had breakfast with four wonderful readers on Sunday morning, too. All in all a nice weekend even if it was too cold for my southern blood.

My next reader adventure will be at the Heart of Dixie Reader Luncheon in Huntsville, Alabama in June. I'm looking forward to that one, too.

Readers, we love you and we enjoy hearing from you. Some days can be very discouraging but a cheerful word from a reader friend always brightens even the worst day! Thank you so much!

This is our goody table at the Bingo game. Winnie and Liz Talley had some cool gifts and the rest of us contributed door prizes. 

Here's a quote from my May release:

Fun Reader Events in April--Lenora Worth :)

I've always loved April. It's when spring comes alive in the South. Azaleas and dogwoods are either budding or just finishing up and the world is fresh and green and new again. The weather is temperamental but calmer, with more sunshine than chill. I was born in April, so it's my birthday all month long!!!! This year, I'm especially looking forward to April. I'll be sixty this year. I'm so over being sad about that. I kept thinking "I'll be sixty and I've written sixty books." But when I counted up (including novellas and online short stories) I've actually written as of this post--over seventy books.

Seventy books. That's the best birthday present a writer could ask for. I've been at this for twenty-three years since I sold my first book in March of 1993. I had the flu and when I got the call, I though I was hallucinating! In my delirious state, I heard those words every writer dreams of. "We want to buy your book!"

I still enjoy hearing those words. And that's why I'll be celebrating at two fun events come April. I'm telling you this now just in case you want to join me at either one!

First, the week of my birthday, we will head out to Las Vegas for the Romantic Times Booklovers' Convention. It's a week of wild fun and RT has really stepped up the game with inspirational and Christian fiction over the last few years. So a lot of us are attending and that means we get to meet some of the most important people in our lives--our readers! I'll be on two panels and I'll participate in the big booksigning and a couple of smaller signings and events. Always fun and fast-paced, RT has something for everyone! Hundreds of loyal readers will be there! (April 12- 17th 2016)

https://rtconvention.com


At the end of April, Big D and I will head to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the popular Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon. This is another fun, wild weekend of fast-paced events. Along with Winnie Griggs, Sharon Sala, Holly Jacobs and Liz Talley, I'll help host a Friday early-bird event that includes book bingo and lots of prizes. Then on Saturday, we'll each host a table of readers by offering up swag bags of books and goodies. I can't wait to attend this event and meet more readers. (April 29th - May 1 2016)

barbaravey.com/barbaraveyreaders

So I think I'll be having a fabulous birthday month. If you have to turn 60, might as well make the best of it with some of the best people in the world. Our readers!!!

I hope to see some of you at one or both of these events. If you're going and you read this, let me know. I want to meet you!!! It's party time!!!

Barbara Vey Reader Luncheon and Book Giveaway

Hi everyone, Winnie Griggs here.

About a week and a half ago I attended the Barbara Vey Reader's Appreciation Luncheon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  This was the 4th annual event and the second I was able to attend.  I love reader events and this is among the best ones out there.  There were 61 authors hosting over 400 readers and everyne I saw was having an absolutely fabulous time.  I thought today I'd share a few pictures with you.

Here is a picture of all the participating authors with Barbara Vey herself front and center. (Can you spot me?)

And here is a picture of me with the other two Love Inspired authors who were hosting tables - Debby Giusti and Katy Lee.

It's customary for the authors hosting tables to decorate them and provide fun little gifts for their table mates.  I used a spring theme and while it wasn't the showiest one there, I think it turned out rather nice.

And here is a picture of the fabulous readers who did me the honor of sitting at my table.  (Do you recognize the lady at the far left of the picture?)

So what about you, have you ever attended a reader event?  If so, what did you enjoy most about it?  If not, would you like to?

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And to celebrate the release of my newest book, Second Chance Hero, I plan to give away a copy to one person who leaves a comment on this post today.

SECOND CHANCE HERO

Winning the Widow's Heart 

To help his dying sister, Nate Cooper once broke the law—and he's regretted it ever since. Now the ex-con turned saddler hopes for a new beginning in Turnabout, Texas. Being declared a hero for saving a child’s life, however,  leaves Nate feeling like a fraud.

Single mom Verity Leggett leads a safe life, avoiding danger and excitement at all costs. But her daughter's rescuer Mr. Cooper seems like a perfectly responsible—and handsome—man she can rely on. When his secrets come to light, however, will Verity be able to get over his past and see Nate for the caring man he's become? 

Barbara Vey's Readers' Appreciation Luncheon

Waiting for the readers to arrive for the Barbara Vey
Readers' Appreciation Luncheon

Debby Giusti here!

On April 10, I had the privilege and pleasure to join more than 30 other authors and nearly 250 readers for a lovely luncheon hosted by Publishers Weekly romance blog editor Barbara Vey.  The event was held in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, just outside of Milwaukee.  I flew in the day before, and fellow Love Inspired author Laura Scott picked me up at the airport.  After I checked into my hotel, we went out for dinner and talked about books and writing and how excited we were to take part in the readers' luncheon.

The next morning, I arrived at the event early to get my table ready.  Each of the ladies sitting with me received a copy of THE CAPTAIN'S MISSION, cute notepaper with a matching journal, a Bath and Body purse mirror, votive candle and candy.  I also brought a tropical print beach tote for the author drawing, which was won by librarian Barbara Roark.

The ladies at my table: L to R, Carol, Jenny, Estelle, Debby,
Carrie, Leila, Matty and Nadine.

Soon the readers started arriving, and my table quickly filled.  The ladies were delightful, and we all enjoyed the delicious lunch and the cute cupcakes decorated with my book covers.  We talked about kids and books and genres and whether we preferred electronic readers or print books. Heather Graham was the guest speaker, and an autographing followed the luncheon.  Everyone received a bag filled with books, and lots of the guests won gift baskets so everyone went home happy.

Librarian Barbara Roark won my tropical beach tote.
Doesn't the hot pink beach hat look cute on Barbara!

Fellow Love Inspired authors Allie Pleiter and Debbie Kaufman were at the luncheon as well as Laura Scott.  The day was a fantastic success and raised more than $2,000 for the libraries in the local area. Barbara plans to make the readers' appreciation luncheon a yearly event and said next year's event will be on April 27 so save the date!

Barbara Vey and I at the end of a delightful day!

Have you ever attended a readers' luncheon? If not, what other type of reader events have you enjoyed?

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com
www.crossmyheartprayerteam.blogspot.com
Email me: Debby@DebbyGiusti.com

THE CAPTAIN'S MISSION, book two in my Military Investigation Series is available in print or e-book.

Watch for THE COLONEL'S DAUGHTER, which will be released in August.