Celebrating readers and writers

Hello. I just returned from beautiful but chilly Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where I attended the 5th Annual Barbara Vey Readers Appreciation Luncheon. This was my first time going to this popular event. A friend “sponsored” me to help her with a pre-conference event. Many of you might know Winnie Griggs. She writes wonderful historicals for Love Inspired. She spearheaded a fun writer bingo game that included authors Sharon Sala, Holly Jacobs, Liz Talley and me!

This took place on Friday afternoon before the official event. This was a new event and we drew in two-hundred and fifty readers! We gave away books sent from our publishers and candy and lots of great prizes. It was such fun! I was so busy having a good time, I didn’t get many pictures. But I have lots of other pictures. Later that night, we had a question and answer where authors drew questions that readers had sent ahead of time. Mine was “What would we find on your internet search history?” Besides research, I admitted they’d probably find Zulily or some other shopping site and that sometimes I get busted when my husband gets a charge card alert!

The next day was the big luncheon event that included hundreds of readers and sixty authors. The authors decorated their tables with themes. Mine was a beach theme:

I had several wonderful readers at my table: From left to right: Kathryn Seitz, Beth Sternhagen, Suzi Zimmerman, me, Renata Canino, Stacy Thoreson, and seated Stephanie Moran and Dee Ann Fugate.

We chatted, had a great lunch including cupcakes, and then the authors gave away door prizes and raffle baskets.

After that, we had a big book signing. Here I am with one of my favorite suspense writers, Alex Kava:

And this is my sweet friend Liz Talley:

Later we played silly games that helped us get to know the readers even more. Then on Sunday morning, we had one last breakfast with some of our readers. This is Winnie and me with our new friends who had actually read some of our books! Standing: Amy Vaught, Winnie Griggs, me, Cindy Mickelson. Seated, Chris, Cindy’s sister and Laura Erke.

So that’s what I did all weekend. Some of the nicest people I’ve ever met! I’m tired but inspired to keep writing because these readers are very loyal and supportive! They need more books!!!