Last week I had the fun privilege of flying down to New Orleans and participating in Book Lovers Con which was formerly known as the Romantic Times Convention. While the name has changed, readers I talked to told me the conference is largely the same.
As this was my first time attending, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I can’t say I was entirely surprised by the floor to ceiling banners depicting books of bare-chested men that flanked elevators, restaurants, and hallway walls.
I also can’t say I was entirely surprised at the book signings to find myself seated next to authors promoting books with bare-chested men. And I can’t say I was entirely surprised that the Book Chamber (free book room) had mostly books with—yes, you guessed it—bare-chested men.
Okay, so I might be exaggerating just a little, but it quickly became apparent that books with bare-chested men sell well! It was also apparent that the contingency of inspirational authors without bare-chested men on the covers was a small minority.
Interestingly, even though we inspirational authors were few in number, our books stood out. In fact, at one of the book signings, a couple of young ladies stopped by my table and said, “You write sweet inspirational romance, don’t you?”
“Yes, that’s me!”
“We’re walking around and picking out all the authors who write sweet romances because of their book covers.”
Even if the large majority of readers at the convention were more interested in bare-chested-men books than sweet romances, I had many opportunities to talk about my stories. I participated in three different book signings and at each one was able to perk the attention of readers and get them interested in my Orphan Train and Bride Ship series.
I can only pray that readers will go on to read my books and be touched by the stories. And, as always, I trust that God will use my words to bring hope to those who need it. I love knowing that when I do my part, I can sit back and leave the rest up to God.
I also loved the camaraderie that we share with those who are in the minority with us. Because of that, I felt like all of us inspirational authors bonded really quickly and easily during the short trip. Of course it helps that these wonderful ladies are so friendly, loving, and accepting to begin with.
Overall, Book Lovers Con was a fun and rewarding experience. My two college-aged daughters came with, and we even got to take in some of the sights around New Orleans including the French Quarters, Cafe du Monde, the World War 2 Museum, and a Swamp Tour!
Have you ever been to a Book Lover’s Retreat? What was your experience like?
Jody Hedlund
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Yes! I attended the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat in April and I loved it! (And…I didn’t see one book cover with a bare chested man. 😉)
Jody, keep writing those sweet stories with beautiful covers. We do judge a book by its cover whether we admit it or not! You are a light in a world that is growing darker every day and a wonderful mother to those teenaged girls. God bless you.
Thx for this great article about your conference experience. In Hawaii we would say Imua (eemuah)! Go forward in strength and focus! Of course, I’m sure you go forward in the strength of the Lord!!
Mahalo (thx) for you commitment as a Christian author. I’m sure you bring hours of pleasant reading to many!!
I loved following along with the authors that attended Book Lovers Con. Y’all were definitely shining a light in that arena! I’m thankful that Christian authors continue to attend events that aren’t Christ-centered because God can really use those situations to reach the ones attending. I’ve been to a few book lovers retreats: BookCon in NYC was the largest. Tyndale did a great job of grabbing interest and getting people in line for books. The PLA (Public Library Association) was a fantastic event and I met some wonderful authors of CF there. And of course, Christian Fiction Readers Retreat was a wonderful time!
I never have been to a book lovers’ retreat, but I can only imagine how fabulous it would be. As a retired teacher, I have been to conventions where many books–mostly textbooks–were present, and I homeschooled my daughter during her high school years and attended homeschool conventions where many books–textbooks and otherwise–were for sale. I do have a couple of friends with whom I get together for long weekends, and we read during parts of the weekend. It’s like a retreat.
Your blog really resonated with me! If I see a book with a bare-chested man on the cover, I go away! Thank you for being there and representing a genre that values morals and good stories instead of that other junk! I’m proud to be an inspirational book buyer and grateful to God that He makes me flee from the other kind. “You’ve seen one chest, you’ve seen them all!” May your writing continue to be a blessing, and may the Lord continue to bless and encourage you!
Never judge a book by it’s cover? I do. Well, I do if the cover has too much bare skin. That lets me know that somewhere in the contents, however well written, is likely something that I do not want to read.
Keep up the great work you are doing. I love the covers of your books as well as your engaging stories. Stories that are carefully crafted and engaging without including scenes or language that would make be blush and/or toss the book into the garbage.
So glad you and your daughters had a chance to get out and explore New Orleans. I got to go a few years ago with a NOLA native. She knew where to go and what to recommend. It is a beautiful city.
I’ve been to that conference (when it was RT) a few times in the past. I’m glad you were able to attend, Jody. I couldn’t agree with this sentiment more –> “I love knowing that when I do my part, I can sit back and leave the rest up to God.” Amen!
Jody, I sure enjoyed meeting you at the Booklovers Convention in New Orleans. I had a great time and made a lot of new friends. As I told someone there, showing up is the best way to present our stories to new readers. I’m glad we had a great showing of inspirational writers this year.
Didn’t have the chance to attend, but some of my Chicago-North RWA sisters did! One of my favorite cities, as my son lives in Uptown, and the WW2 Museum is my happy place. Hope to join y’all someday!
Our state has a book festival for about 5 days in March. I first attended when I heard one of my favorite authors would be there and have been back four times. I love getting a chance to interact with authors and have books autographed.
A long time lover of romance books, my first experience with Christian romance was through Julie Klassen’s The Girl in the Gatehouse, which attracted me because of the cover. I then went on to read her other books and have followed her ever since. That’s how I found out about this blog and have been getting to know the books of the other authors here. Unfortunatly, I usually have to request that the B&N near me special order the books I want because I have watched their Christian fiction section dwindle from a whole row to one section of shelves.
One of my favorite romance writers in the secular world – have been reading her books for 20 years – balked when her publisher started putting bare-chested men on her covers. The first two of a seven book series had bare-chested men, then the covers returned to her normal romantic style, with the first two getting different covers in reprintings.
I’ve recently been enjoying your medieval romance books. Over the past three years, I’ve found I much prefer Christian romance and find it harder to read some of the others. In fact there are some authors with very graphic sex scenes that I will not return to. So glad you and your daughters enjoyed this retreat.
I love your stories! Bare chested men can’t beat your characters who have great life stories!