Connect with Local Authors

Since the new little indie bookstore opened here in town I have attended a couple of author events/book readings/book signings a month. This weekend has been rather unprecedented because I managed to attend all three author events held over three days. And I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed all three events and the authors were all down to earth, friendly people who were happy to answer questions and sign their books and mingle with the attendees.

The Bookclub Bookstore and more offers an intimate setting for authors to meet and greet readers. The space is not overwhelming like auditoriums can be. There are no tables barricading the author from the audience. There is often interaction between the author and the attendees during the book readings and you can learn some interesting things about where the authors ideas come from, how they set about writing, what their inspiration may be, what their writing habits are, and sometimes humorous personal insights into their private lives. After the reading/discussion/Q&A attendees are able to walk up and meet the author one on one, whether they've purchased a book or not. I have not been to an author event yet where the author kept their distance from the attendees. They were all happy to meet people and talk about their books and answer questions.

Local authors may be self-published not from lack of talent, but due to the glut of material submitted to major publishers and the backlog of these publishing houses looking at the material and the length of time it takes for them to get back to the author- it can take years. There are wonderful writers who may not have written something the publishing house is looking for. It may be because the author does not write formulaic and genre specific material, so is hard to classify. It doesn't mean the author's writing isn't up to snuff- it often is. More and more authors are self-publishing and self-promoting these days as it gets their books out there more quickly into the readers hands. We don't write to get rich, that's for sure! We write to entertain the reader because that is what we are compelled to do.

So, when you see a Local Author Appearance event, try to attend if the book may appeal to you. There is usually information about the book on a website or social media site. You may never have the opportunity to rub elbows with Stephen King or James Patterson, but you might get to shake the hand of someone whose writing will take you on an incredible journey away from the ordinary.

Get off your phone, get off the couch and connect with a local author...you won't regret it.