- Logo design by Andrew Bernier
This week I get to run away from home and do one of my favorite things: attend a readers’ luncheon and host my own author table. I’ll be at the first annual Barbara Vey Readers Luncheon in Oak Creek, WI on April 10th. Thirty five authors will be in attendance and over 200 readers have purchased tickets.
As an avid reader, I wish I’d known years ago that these types of events existed. If you’ve never been to one, you buy a ticket and eat lunch with an author. Usually the author has some small gift for you at the table–a book, chocolate, anything. During lunch, you chat with your author, ask questions, and pretty much get to know each other. After lunch you’re treated to a talk by the keynote speaker, usually a very well-known and popular author. This luncheon has Heather Graham as the keynote.
In addition to all the other fun, these events typically involve lots and lots of raffle baskets donated by the authors, their publishers, local businesses, etc. You would not believe how extravagent these things get. Personally, if I wasn’t attending as an author, I’d be investing in raffle tickets! My basket contains a Kindle, an e-copy of my book, The Doctor’s Mission, and other fun things.
Yep, if I’d know events like this were out there, I’d have gone in a heartbeat. If you think something like this would be fun, google “readers lunch” and see what you get. Now, for this one, ticket sales are closed. However, I have one ticket to give to a reader who attends the FREE event Monday night (April 9th). You can come out and see myself, Dianna Love, Trish Milburn, and Marjorie Liu at the Tri City Bank, 2115 10th Avenue South Milwaukee, hosted by the local public library. (more details at www.barbaravey.com) We’ll have a panel discussion, chat, and sign books.
For future reference, I’ll also be in Huntsville at Heart of Dixie’s luncheon on May 5, 2012, http://www.heartofdixie.org/luncheon.html with NYTimes Bestselling author Lora Leigh and, on November 3, 2012, I’ll be in Birmingham, AL at Southern Magic’s luncheon with #1 NYT Bestselling authors Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love (and many others). http://southernmagic.org/luncheon.html
BTW, tickets usually sell out at these events, so buy early!
Hope to see you at one. These things take place all over the country, so you can probably find one with authors you like that is reasonably local to you!
So, have you ever been to a readers’ luncheon? Want to go to one? Who would be your favorite author to sit with at lunch?
Mal Olson - Hi Debbie,
I was at the luncheon yesterday, sorry I didn’t get a chance to meet you. I live within thirty miles of Oak Creek.
Thanks for the cute little “duck” soap that I found in my goodie bag. I’ll be sure to check out The Doctor Mission–your give away worked because I usually don’t read a lot of historical romance.
I write romantic suspense and therefore I’m heavily into reading RS. Just had my very first release–Shadow of Deceit come out in March (The Wild Rose Press).
I wish you much luck and success with The Doctor Mission.
Mal Olson
Judy - Debbie,
Meeting you at the luncheon warmed my heart. I am SO glad I had the opportunity to meet you face-to-face! What an honor and a privilege. You are such a sweet and kind person. I send you hugs of love and hugs of support as you continue on your journey. I will be reading you and smiling from the inside out.
May your day be filled knowing you did good yesterday. You brought joy to my heart. Thank you!