Recently, I celebrated the release of The Bride of Ivy Green, my 13th novel, and the conclusion of my first series. Here are a few highlights from the Book Release Party:
Writing a series was a new challenge for me, and it’s an accomplishment I feel good about. But I didn’t do it alone. I enjoyed having the opportunity to publicly thank several people who helped me along the way, like my first reader, editors, writing-friends, and my readers, including you! It is because of each and every person who has read my books, told friends or a bookclub about them, or posted reviews online, that I get to keep writing and publishing novels—my lifelong dream come true!
Since the book centers around a bride, I then explained a few of the wedding traditions of the Regency era. See the 5-minute VIDEO here. (Turn up the volume.) Did anything surprise you?
After that, I had the pleasure of giving out gift certificates to the person there who’d been married the longest (62 years) as well as to a darling newly-wed couple.
Continuing with our wedding theme, we played a bridal shower-style game (created by Amy and Rachael from Bethany House Publishers) in which people read marriage proposals from various books and had to guess “Austen or Klassen?” to win more prizes.
Then we served wedding cake and everyone received a small gift to take home, which included wedding breakfast tea, shortbread, and chocolate coins. (If you listened to the video you know what those symbolize!)
Like a real wedding, the event was a joyous celebration filled with laughter and fun. When was the last book event—or wedding—you attended?
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Congrats on # 13, friend! How exciting! Your celebration sounds wonderful.
Hugs,
Dani
Thanks, Dani!
Your book event sounds absolutely delightful. When my husband isn’t sleeping in the next room, I’ll listen to and watch the video about wedding traditions in the Regency Era. Congratulations on book #13! I’m looking forward to reading it.
Hope you enjoy the video and more importantly, the book! Thanks, Suzanne.
What a fantastic book launch party, Julie! I love the wedding theme you settled on AND your Regency outfit. Adorable!
Thanks, Becky. It was an enjoyable evening for sure.
The video about wedding traditions in the Regency Period was very interesting and well done. The cake and the gift bags, no doubt, were well received. How fun!
Oh, good. Thanks, Suzanne.
Congrats on your new novel as well as completing your first series! I enjoyed the previous 2 novels so I look forward to reading the latest installment.
One of the end pages in your new novel mentioned a forthcoming Christmas novella to the “Ivy Hill” trilogy. When may we readers expect to see that?
Thanks for asking, Elisa. It’s scheduled for fall 2020, Lord willing. Now to write it! (But a new stand-alone first….)
The last book event I attended was your’s Julie! As always, I enjoyed it very much. It was interesting to learn about wedding traditions in the Regency Period! Having your own groom throw out gold coins, like during the Regency, was a perfect touch! I can’t wait to find out who the bride(s) are in Ivy Green! Thanks for such a lovely book event!
The last book event I attended was in April. I got to meet for the second time Regency author Sarah E. Ladd and Inspired by Life and Fiction’s Cara Putman and attend their panel sessions. I so enjoyed getting to chat with them again.
One week prior to that event I got to attend an excellent author panel in Branson, Missouri where I met Julie Klassen! I also was excited to meet Becky Wade, Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, Katie Ganshert, and Courtney Walsh! So much talent in one room! Inspiring.
Now that I think about it, I’ve met six of the eleven authors that contribute to Inspired by Life and Fiction. I’ve know Tamara Alexander since we were in college. Sounds like a good “bucket list” item: Meet all the authors from Inspired by Life and Fiction.
Congratulations, Julie, on the release of “The Bride of Ivy Green”. I’m looking forward to reading it.
I was at your book event as well! Thanks so much for a wonderful event…I had so much fun! I can’t wait to read the book…I’m saving it for Christmas break after all the busyness of Christmas is over.