Getting to know you!

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The audience at the Lemon Bay Historical Society – a completely full house!

The last twenty days have been fast, furious, and fun! Starting with the Cocoa Village Book Fest and continuing through the Eau Gallie Book Festival in Melbourne the pace has been swishing by. I’ve gotten to meet so many of you! The Cocoa Village event was held in a beautiful little park in the middle of the downtown area. I was asked to speak – my talk was titled, “Preventing Premature Birth – Of a book that is!” Got  a whole lot of positive comments and that’s always great to hear. A picture of the venue is below.

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Book Fest in the park at Cocoa Village

My next stop was at The LifeLong Learning Center in Punta Gorda, FL. I did two historical presentations there and enjoyed the “meet the author” lunch with the all the participants from the two classes. I was at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County’s  Christmas Art’s show for meet and greets. It’s always a big event with the opportunity to meet lots of folks…ones I already know and newbies. Next was Venice Florida’s annual Christmas Art Festival and had the chance to chat with many avid readers from that area. 

 

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DL with “Charlotte” at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County – she has every one of his books.

 

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Presenting history at Florida Southwestern College for Life Long Learning.

As shown in the picture at the beginning of this article, I visited the Lemon Bay Historical Society to talk about, “Florida’s Contribution to WWII and WWII’s Contribution to Florida.” The attendance was outstanding. The entire historic church was filled to capacity with additional folding chairs used to seat the hundred plus people in the audience. I also got to meet and learn about something entirely new to me! I have a fan club! Some very nice, intelligent ladies dressed in red tee shirts introduced themselves. It was great.  

My next trip was to Ocala, Top of the World, and Master the Possibilities! I attended a program that gives prospective attendees the opportunity to meet and chat with instructors for future classes (I’m scheduled to do twelve in the next six months). I love doing presentations there. The classes are filled with individuals eager to hear about the subjects you’re there to discuss. Pictures of this event are below. Ninety-seven of the instructors were there and well over 1500 prospective students!

 

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Part of the big crowd at Master the Possibilities in Ocala.

 

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Talking to folks at Master the Possibilities about history, books, and writing.

This last week end I attended Mixon’s Gift Shop’s annual Christmas Show in Bradenton, Florida for a meet and greet. I got a chance to speak to a fan who just finished reading Escaping Skeletons. Why is it that people telling you they love one of your books never gets old? 

 

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I ran out of business cards at Mixon’s – not good form.

 

My last stop was at the Eau Gallie Book Festival in Melbourne, Florida. It wasn’t quite the midnight ride of old Paul, but we did have to hustle across the state for the Sunday show. Met lots of great folks and sold lots of books. Plus we had a great time! 

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At Eau Gallie

Next? I’ll be in Punta Gorda at the Sandman Book Company (Duncan Road/at 7 PM) this Tuesday and Matlacha Menagerie this coming Saturday from 10 to 3 on Pine Island Road in Matlacha Florida. Hope to see you there…

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