Here I am in Soda Springs, Idaho and guess what-- hahaha, our room has internet access! So even though I promised my husband I wouldn't blog I just had to write this quick post (and he agreed) to tell you all that we got to hear John Brown (yup that's his real name lol) speak at the library show.
He spoke about how fiction, especially fantasy and sci fi is like a drug to the brain, so that makes the librarians drug dealers. I thought that was LOL funny. Why was I the only one laughing? I don't know, maybe they didn't get the humor but I thought it was hilarious and so so true! Reading a great book, an exciting book can be like a drug to a kid, especially when it's in their genre, which for so many of them now is fantasy and sci fi.
John Brown also spoke about his writing journey which I found fascinating. I won't recap here as I think a lot of that is on his website, but I just hung on every word. Afterward, I spoke to him at his table, and bought a copy of Servant of a Dark God (don't you love that title?) which he autographed for me (of course). He was there for most of the show and I didn't see a crowd buying his book, which surprised me. (There were no crowds buying my books either, so that made us somewhat alike in that aspect lol).
Anyway, this isn't my genre and I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. But because I heard the author speak, then met him and chatted for quite awhile (he also asked about my books which I thought was nice & friendly), I bought his book and was happy to do so. And I most certainly will read it. It will be the first book published by Tor that I have ever read!
Just goes to show, all of you authors and prospective authors out there, it's the personal touch that counts. It's US and OUR personality that sells our books. Crazy, isn't it?
yes! it's the personal touch! I bought 15 books at the LDS Storymaker conference. Most of those are not in my genre. Most I bought b/c I met the author and wanted to show my support. he won a Whitney, too. I need to get his book.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Don't ever underestimate the power of the personal touch! I think technology is making so much of our lives impersonal, it feels very refreshing when we get the one-on-one treatment.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're enjoying yourself so far! Looking forward to hearing more!
That's cool Karen, I have been talking to John for awhile now.
ReplyDeleteI was very pleased he won the Whitney for the Speculative category too.
Conferences are a great way to meet our idols... I met Jerry Spinneli at a conference. He was incredibly layed back...
ReplyDeleteI love meeting authors. Even though I'm usually too shy to say very much to them at booksignings, I love it when they take the time to chat and take pictures with fans. It definitely makes me want to read their books too, and it makes me admire them even more.
ReplyDeletethe personal touch is key - i definitely agree!
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteYay for hotels rooms with internet access!
And I thoroughly agree! An author I've never heard of was signing copies of his books at Waterstone's bookshop but he did so by chatting and talking to people (not sitting behind a desk and waiting) that I went and got his book, even got a hug, and spoke to him a little as to how he became and author (hard work and hard graft!) His name is Stephan Benetar. And I would never have even looked at his books if he hadn't been so nice!
:-)
Take care
x
How cool for you. :) And yeah, you're right. There is something about face to face.
ReplyDeleteVery cool, Karen! I LOVE hearing published authors speak, and hearing about their arduous journey! Gives me hope. And yes, you can't hear all that and NOT buy their book!!! That's just bad karma!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting author and book. I agree about books being like a drug. In a way, reading is addictive (in a good way). Have fun.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
I think it's funny too :)
ReplyDeleteThe only author/poet I've had a chance to hear speak is Margaret Atwood. I already loved her stuff - but her style and humour earned her many new fans :)
You're right, the personal touch works. Whenever I'm at Border's and there's a book signing, I find myself buying the book. Have a glorious weekend!
ReplyDeleteKaren, I bought a book for the same reason - One I'd never otherwise buy. Neat that it works out that way. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is really true. I've even done it myself (bought a book I normally would have passed by except for a conversation with the author in the bookstore).
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
It is crazy - and a good lesson to remember!
ReplyDeleteSoda Springs - what a great name for a place! Hope you're having fun.
Sounds like you're having a wonderful weekend. I'm so glad you are. So if you've never read a Tor book, you haven't read Orson Scott Card? He's one of my favorite authors. I love the Alvin Maker series and some of the Ender books. And especially Magic Street and Lost Boys (which aren't Tor). Try him.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had such a great time with him!
ReplyDeleteThe personal touch is very important. When I was touring the country for my first book I met so many people and was amazed at how personally meeting people who'd read my book and were going to read my book put a whole different light on the experience for both of us. Loved it!
Jai
That's so awesome that you got to meet him! His book is on my "to read" list. I was disappointed he wasn't at Storymakers.
ReplyDeleteI love finding authors I thought I wouldn't enjoy and then find I do. It gives me a whole new series of books to read sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Professional Librarian. And yes, we deal in drugs...I mean books.
ReplyDeleteI feel more like a Professional Candy Dealer. Every book I touch, so compelling, so divine.
Yes, books are a drug. They will keep me up all night even when I have to work in the morning. I am forced to reread a great story over and over again, I can never get enough. I even go through withdrawls when I go to long without reading my favorites. Thank goodness for Kindle, I can always have my favorites with me.
ReplyDeleteKaren, Karen, Karen.... Here is a big hug and a bucketful of your confidence which I think you may have left down somewhere over the last few days.
ReplyDeleteFirstly I am glad you had a lovely time in Soda Springs (is that really the name of the place?). But I am horrified to read about the reviews you got from the book clubs for your book. I read a lot and I am no eejit (fool)... your book is lovely, a great read and I would gladly have paid my hard earned money (well his hard earned money) to have had the enjoyment of reading it. Those women don't know what they are on about! But perhaps bad reviews are just part of the learning curve of being a published author. Dont linger on their reviews, release the anger and keep writing. I am looking forward to ordering House of Diamonds form Amazon!!!!!
Sounds like you had a great weekend, Karen, I love meeting authors as well, really makes the book feel special.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are having fun.
Exciting books can be like a drug to adults, too! I absolutely love finding a book that I can't put down. I think they have that effect on me even more now that I've gotten serious about my own writing. Sounds like a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteAlas, I had to step out to talk to my agent, and when I came back, Karen had skedaddled. And I wanted to get Farm Girl! I guess I'll just have to get it the old fashioned way. BTW, it was so very nice meeting everyone up there, both the librarians and booksellers. I had a blast :)
ReplyDeleteJohn, That was a long day and yes, I admit, I left early! It was great to meet you. I look forward to really getting into Servant of a Dark God and having "my head blown off."
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to spend an evening. Funny that, how you buy a book not usually in your genre because of an enjoyable conversation. Makes the book special.
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