Fay Risner’s Author Chat at Elberon Public Library

My husband, Harold, and I arrived in time to set out my books before the audience arrived. Before we carried the boxes in I had Harold take a picture of me at the door. I picked up a box of books from the back seat, and Harold followed me with another box.



This was where we were headed the evening of June 16, 2016.



This was the sign that welcomed me to the library placed behind a large table covered with a linen tablecloth and the books the library has already brought from me. On one back end was a bouquet of flowers.



Chairs were placed in rows ready to hold my audience.



Soon all those containers of homemade cookies were emptied onto plates and pitchers of cold pink lemonade and lemonade tea were arranged for after the presentation.



The librarian and the board of directors met me at the door, welcomed me in, and in a few minutes, I was ready to begin. I was aware before hand that the library’s patrons were fans of my Nurse Hal Among The Amish books and my Amazing Gracie Mystery series. After I talked about what gave me the ideas to write several of my 47 published books and how I came to use the cover art I picked for each I visited with the audience while we ate cookies. One thing that was brought out and makes it clear to me why it is so important to connect with prospective book buyers in person is one woman said my books sounded so much more interesting after she listened to me talk about them.

The evening was a success all the way around, and mostly that was due to how hard the library workers prepared for the event. They had every detail planned. I was very appreciative and turned down the offer to pay me for coming to speak to the patrons. The librarian picked out seven of my books to add to the collection already on the shelf and asked me to sign them.

Wow! The whole evening made me feel as if all my efforts to be an author have paid off.